Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - Rays Trade Baez to Dodgers

The new administration in Tampa completed their first significant trade sending relievers Danys Baez and Lance Carter to the Dodgers for former top prospect Edwin Jackson and lefty prospect Chuck Tiffany.

Jackson is a reminder that prospects are never a sure thing, especially pitchers. In 2003 at age 19 Jackson pitched well in AA and was 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 3 starts with the Dodgers. After that season John Sickels had him rated as the #3 pitching prospect and Prospectus had him as their #6 prospect. Since then he has struggled considerably.

Tiffany was a 2nd round pick out of high school in the 2003 draft and will turn 21 this month. He pitched fairly well in the FSL this season, though he struggled a bit with the long ball - 17 HRs in 110 innings.

The Devil Rays have considerable positional prospects but are lean on pitching prospects, and their main pitching prospects (Neimann and Townsend) have had injury problems. Prior to this trade Peter Gammons noted that the Rays have had difficulties acquiring young pitching in trades. Apparently Tampa felt that a former top prospect and a pitcher that hasn't been above high A ball, neither of who were in Baseball America's top 10 Dodger list this year, were the best that they could acquire for a reasonably priced closer and a cheap, average reliever.

(And did you know that both Baez and Carter are former All Stars?)

Posted by Pistol on Saturday, January 14 2006 @ 09:00 PM EST.

Rays Trade Baez to Dodgers | 20 comments | Create New Account

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CaramonLS - Saturday, January 14 2006 @ 09:11 PM EST (#139713) #

Doesn't seem like much of a return for a pretty good closer and an ok Middle relief guy.

I'm assuming that they think Jackson will finally break out.

Michael - Saturday, January 14 2006 @ 09:42 PM EST (#139714) #

That seems like a pretty decent trade for both teams. I think Tampa is getting the better end of it, but LA can afford the extra $ and Baez adds depth to the bullpen.

Jackson could easily still turn into a quality starter.

mathesond - Saturday, January 14 2006 @ 09:55 PM EST (#139716) #

It'll be interesting to compare the careers of Jackson and Dewon Brazelton

CaramonLS - Saturday, January 14 2006 @ 11:16 PM EST (#139717) #

I'm just not sold on Jackson.

He got absolutely rocked at AAA last season too.

Craig B - Sunday, January 15 2006 @ 01:31 AM EST (#139718) #

When Roy Halladay was 23, 18 months older than Edwin Jackson was last year, he also got his butt shot off for three months. They solved that by sending him back down to A-ball and working out his issues.

With Edwin Jackson, once he went to AA last year he was fine. His control returned to his 2003 form and although he wasn't real good, he wasn't bad either, not for 21 years old in AA. He's got a decent shot and should remain a prospect. One thing about the ugly numbers in Las Vegas is that it's a worse place to be a pitcher than downtown Baghdad. Even good pitchers get killed on a routine basis in Vegas. When fully adjusted, Jackson's numbers there were still bad, but there may have been a compounding effect of the tough park on his control problems, which can happen sometimes especially for wild pitchers (Jackson doesn't have good control even when he's pitching well) with confidence issues.

clark - Sunday, January 15 2006 @ 08:20 AM EST (#139720) #

Any thoughts on who will close games for Tampa this season?

CeeBee - Sunday, January 15 2006 @ 08:47 AM EST (#139721) #

Is anyone able to figure out what the Dodgers want with another closer? Will Baez be happy as a setup man? I'm wondering if another trade is in the works here. So many questions, so few answers.

Named For Hank - Sunday, January 15 2006 @ 09:50 AM EST (#139722) #

I was wondering if there's some concern about Gagne's recovery and/or future durability that maybe led to this move.

Gerry - Sunday, January 15 2006 @ 11:00 AM EST (#139723) #

A few potential answers.

Chad Orvella is first in line for the closers job in Tampa and they also signed a Japanese player. Others here would have an opinion on his ability.

Baez's peripherals were not great and he would rate as an average closer. I believe the timing of Gagne's return is uncertain, I don't think he is available for the world cup. The Dodgers could use Baez as a closer if Gagne is not ready but he could also be the setup man replacing Duaner Sanchez who was traded to the Mets.

Joseph Krengel - Sunday, January 15 2006 @ 12:09 PM EST (#139728) #

Don't know if anyone caught this, but Craig Wilson reached a one year- 3.5 million dollar deal with Pittsburgh yesterday.

Glevin - Sunday, January 15 2006 @ 12:53 PM EST (#139736) #

I like this move from TB's perspective. Baez is a decent reliever, but guys like that are not all that difficult to replace and TB got a couple of guys who have the potential to be difference makers. IMO, one shouldn't give up top prospects to upgrade at the setup.

Wildrose - Sunday, January 15 2006 @ 01:23 PM EST (#139739) #

As a Blue-Jay fan Tampa scares the hell out of me. I don't particularly think that the Baseball America approach to analyzing minor league farm systems is the end all/be all. I much prefer what the Hockey News does, by including all players under the age of 25 in an organization in their future watch edition.

Recently Bryan Smith at the Baseball Analyst websight rated his top 80-90 minor league players. He had 6 D-Rays in this group, a very solid number. Toss in however, the other 10 guys, who are currently in the big leagues with Tampa and are under age 25, I can only say, LOOK OUT !

Hopefully, the new management team does not screw all this potential up.

Pistol - Sunday, January 15 2006 @ 01:54 PM EST (#139740) #

I heard Colletti interviewed on the radio a few weeks ago and he said Gagne was on schedule to pitch at the beginning of spring training, although I don't know what that means in terms of the World Cup.

Matthew E - Sunday, January 15 2006 @ 02:12 PM EST (#139741) #

I'm not gonna miss Carter in the American League. My subjective impression is that he always used to pitch well against the Jays.

Mike Green - Sunday, January 15 2006 @ 05:25 PM EST (#139752) #

It's funny, Matthew. I would have said so too, but his 3 year splits against Toronto are blah. 5.06 ERA, ordinary peripherals, 5 saves in 6 opportunities.

Smart acquisition by Tampa. Neither Baez nor Carter will be a useful part when the Rays might be ready to contend in 08; Jackson has a 30% chance maybe of being a very useful part, They've still got a bat or two to play with.

Rob - Sunday, January 15 2006 @ 05:45 PM EST (#139755) #

I didn't have any thoughts on Lance Carter vs Toronto, myself, but I did have another Jay-killer in mind when I ran these numbers at the Day by Day Database: 2002-2005, OBP vs Toronto, 80 or more PAs. I was not at all surprised to see that guy's name at the top of the list...

That's actually a neat place for trivia. For example, in the last four years, who has hit into the most double plays against the Jays? Most homeruns? Most intentional walks? The three players are Manny, A-Rod and Varitek -- the last one surprised me.

J Mc - Monday, January 16 2006 @ 06:06 PM EST (#139798) #

I'd like to know the injury status on Rocco Badalli before I make any predictions. A trade for some pitching with the Dodgers is usually a good idea, however, I have no clue about what kind of pitches Jackson throws or what his numbers were like in brief stints in the minors. Could the Dodgers be setting up a trade involving Gagne or are they considering putting him in the starting rotation ? I know Gagne was a mediocre starter; there has to be some serious concerns about Gagne's rehab timetable for the Dodgers to make this acquisition. Tampa is young team that has bright future if they stay healthy and their players fufil there potential. I still don't believe they have enough starting pitching to be a huge threat, however, it's not coincidental that some teams (eg: Red Sox interest in Lugo) would like to acquire that young talent, nurture it with good coaching, and help the younguns attain success at the ML level.

Mike Green - Tuesday, January 17 2006 @ 09:24 AM EST (#139838) #

John Sickels made Chuck Tiffany a B prospect prior to 2005. In 2005, at age 20, he struck out 11 and walked 3.5 per game in the FSL. He's 6'2 and big (weight issues led to him falling from the 1st round), throws an 88-92 mph fastball and an excellent curve and an above average change.

The Rays now have 5 starters who could be very good in 2008-Kazmir, Jackson, Townsend, Niemann and Tiffany. If they're lucky, 3 of them will be, but it is more likely that it will only be 2. At this point, they need depth; they need to be on the Milwaukee end of an Overbay trade.

MatO - Tuesday, January 17 2006 @ 09:56 AM EST (#139839) #

Those look like terrific numbers for a 20 year old in the FSL but strangely I remember reading negative comments about him I think in BA. Something about him being wildly inconsistent. But he's only 20!

Mike Green - Tuesday, January 17 2006 @ 10:49 AM EST (#139841) #

According to Rich Lederer at baseballanalyst.com, Tiffany started off 2005 strong, and then had a cancerous mole removed from his back in May.

Apparently, the ball flies out of Vero Beach easily. I don't have park factors, but the team stats do suggest that this may be true.

Tiffany sounds like a younger, bigger and slightly better Davis Romero. Neither throws 95, but both could be very good.

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