View Full Version : Is Upton ready?
tonypug
12-04-2005, 10:13 AM
With all the talk about Julio Lugo being traded, we now have to ask the question, is B.J. Upton readt to be the every day shortstop? There seems to be no question about his bat, it's his ability to field the position. He makes the spectacular plays, but boots many basic plays, which can spell disater for a very young pitching staff. Even after all the front office changes, it was being said that Upton neede another year in AAA, I wonder whats changed?
Jake83
12-06-2005, 01:58 AM
With all the talk about Julio Lugo being traded, we now have to ask the question, is B.J. Upton readt to be the every day shortstop? There seems to be no question about his bat, it's his ability to field the position. He makes the spectacular plays, but boots many basic plays, which can spell disater for a very young pitching staff. Even after all the front office changes, it was being said that Upton neede another year in AAA, I wonder whats changed?
You give Upton the chance to prove himself. If he is the talented young prospect like everyone says he should be able to adjust his game to the major league level. Tampa Bay doesn;t have thoughts of going to the postseason in 2006 so why keep Upton in the minors. The things you said about Upton sounds like a young Miguel Tejada from 1998- about half way through 2000 he was one of the worst shortstops in baseball but he was able to adjust to beome one of the game's most dominate players. Tampa Bay is like Oakland in the late 90's give the guy and Young a chance to prove themselves. I guess that is why Maddon and their new GM is trying to trade Lugo. They gave Cantu and Gomes a chance an dook how they played. Cantu is one of the games best young 3rd basemen and Gomes is a power hitting corner outfielder. Tampa has a great young nucleus so why not trade Lugo and try to get some pitching the only positon Tampa is voided in talent.
grizzly451
12-07-2005, 08:30 AM
It looks more and more like Lugo is getting traded for Marte from the Braves, who is a third basemen, which given that the Devil Rays have Cantu I don't really understand. I really hope Marte gets to start where he ends up, assuming he is traded of course.
raysnbran
12-07-2005, 02:59 PM
First of all, the latest hot rumor is that the Rays are trading disappointing Dewon Brazelton to San Diego for disappointing 3rd baseman Sean Burroughs. So that takes of 3rd base, as Cantu will move back to 2nd base. The latest I heard on Upton is that Lugo will get traded, they will re-sign Alex Gonzalez to play SS to start the year,start upton at AAA Durham, then bring him up in June or July. I would rather suffer through Upton at the major league level too. Jeter had 60 errors when he first started in the minors, and now he's one of the best in the game. If Huff, Lugo, Gathright etc getting traded can bring us some proven vet starters, they can pitch out of jams that Upton might create. We need his bat in the lineup too much to stick him in Durham.
tonypug
12-07-2005, 04:58 PM
The Brazleton for Burroughs trade is now a fact. In todays paper Upton said he had a good talk with management,and feels he will have a chance to start the season with the Rays. Burroughs is still a young player and maybe the change of scenery will help. If Lugo is traded, then I would like to see Upton be given the shortstop job.A good fielding firstbaseman is going to be important, with Burroughs, Upton and Cantu in the infield. It sure would be nice to see Travis Lee there again.
Go Bravos!!!#1
12-08-2005, 03:26 PM
Offensively Upton has been ready. Defensively...eh.
tonypug
12-08-2005, 04:00 PM
Offensively Upton has been ready. Defensively...eh.If Lugo gets traded, as of now he is still a Devil Ray, then allow Upton to play shortstop evry day in the majors, and see what happens. If Lugo starts the season with the Rays, then have Upton start the season at AAA. If not before the season Lugo will be traded during the season, then you bring Upton to the Rays.
raysnbran
12-08-2005, 06:44 PM
With Renteria going to the Braves for Marte, that eliminates one trade rumor, but opens up another possibility. The Red Sox now need a SS, and we could use some SP. Maybe they would part with Papelbon for Lugo? Maybe Bronson Arroyo returns home to the TB area? :confused:
tonypug
12-09-2005, 09:07 PM
I am surprised that Lugo wasn't traded during the meetings. Could be that other teams thought they could get him cheaply,since the Rays have Upton ready to play. It will be interesting to see what happens if they don't trade him before spring training.
raysnbran
12-10-2005, 05:25 PM
Latest hot rumor on ESPN is Manny Ramirez to Baltimore for Miguel Tejada. :crazy I've also read they pick up the Marlins' Alex Gonzalez to play SS. I heard the Cubs have let Nomar test the waters to get a trade offer, how about Lugo to the Cubs?
Why not trade BJ Upton for pitching? He would likely bring more pitching than anyone else with the exception of Carl Crawford. Upton could be the next Joe Borchard.
tonypug
12-15-2005, 05:37 PM
Why not trade BJ Upton for pitching? He would likely bring more pitching than anyone else with the exception of Carl Crawford. Upton could be the next Joe Borchard.
Right now Lugo has more trade value then Upton. I can't see teams giving up #1 pitching prospects for Upton right now, bodies yes, but not top prospects.
The Big C
12-16-2005, 06:49 PM
I would love Lugo to Chicago (keep Neifi on the bench), and we have an apparent wealth of pitching prospects here (Are the D-Rays looking more for prospects or veterans?). The problem is that the D-Rays price for Lugo has apparently been too high, and that is why he is still in Tampa, from what I have heard anyway.
tonypug
12-16-2005, 07:00 PM
I would love Lugo to Chicago (keep Neifi on the bench), and we have an apparent wealth of pitching prospects here (Are the D-Rays looking more for prospects or veterans?). The problem is that the D-Rays price for Lugo has apparently been too high, and that is why he is still in Tampa, from what I have heard anyway.
I think other teams are thinking the Rays have to trade Lugo and are looking for a bargain. I think the Rays are perfectly comfortable starting the season with Lugo at short and Upton in AAA.
FedEx
01-18-2006, 11:36 AM
Upton is definetly ready for the big league level On the D-Rays. Do I think hes seasoned enough to be an every day player in the MLB. No. Defensively theres still a lot of gaps in his games. But frankly, hes on the D-Rays, what do we have to lose by throwing him, Delmon Young and Joey Gathright out there? Nothing. See how they react, see what they do.
tonypug
01-18-2006, 05:52 PM
Upton is definetly ready for the big league level On the D-Rays. Do I think hes seasoned enough to be an every day player in the MLB. No. Defensively theres still a lot of gaps in his games. But frankly, hes on the D-Rays, what do we have to lose by throwing him, Delmon Young and Joey Gathright out there? Nothing. See how they react, see what they do.
I agree with giving Upton and Young the chance to play every day, but don't agree with Gathright. He really hasn't shown that he can be an every day cnterfielder. Outfield is the one strength of the Rays,if another team is interested in Gathright, I would certainly not think twice about doing it.
FedEx
01-19-2006, 08:28 AM
I agree about the Gathright thing, I meant if we traded one of the other two outfielders Gomes or Baldelli that I think Gathright has a chance to become a decent ball-player, unfortuantely as you said he hasn't shown on the major league level that hes anything more then a fast guy.
Jermz
03-01-2006, 12:57 PM
How many games do you think Upton will play this year?
I don't know a lot about him, but what is his strength?
Just by reading this thread, I see he needs some work on his defense, but comparing him to a young Tejada sounds like he is going to be offensivley awesome!
Is he expected to hit more for power or average? How will his base-stealing be? What kind of stats can we expect from him this year?
brooklynboy
03-01-2006, 05:58 PM
How many games do you think Upton will play this year?
I don't know a lot about him, but what is his strength?
Just by reading this thread, I see he needs some work on his defense, but comparing him to a young Tejada sounds like he is going to be offensivley awesome!
Is he expected to hit more for power or average? How will his base-stealing be? What kind of stats can we expect from him this year?
Don't expect to see Tejeda like plays in the field..It might be a few years
befoe he makes all star.. As for hitting, he'll give ya the bat....
:clapping
East Coast Bat Co
03-20-2006, 04:14 PM
If this was a playoff team, then I would understand holding him back, but they aren't. Why not give him his at-bats. I don't see the difference in him working on defense in Durham or Tampa. Get the youngster up and let him play. He is a good enough athlete to figure it out.
tonypug
03-20-2006, 06:06 PM
If this was a playoff team, then I would understand holding him back, but they aren't. Why not give him his at-bats. I don't see the difference in him working on defense in Durham or Tampa. Get the youngster up and let him play. He is a good enough athlete to figure it out.
If they didn't have Julio Lugo, I would agree with you. AS I said in another thread, if Upton had been agreeable to a position switch, he would already be in the major leagues. He would make a great third baseman.
East Coast Bat Co
03-20-2006, 07:46 PM
If they didn't have Julio Lugo, I would agree with you. AS I said in another thread, if Upton had been agreeable to a position switch, he would already be in the major leagues. He would make a great third baseman.
I like Lugo, but I think the best way to use him at this point would be to attempt to trade him for a pitching project since this team is still a couple of years away at best. Go Rays!
brooklynboy
03-20-2006, 07:55 PM
I like Lugo, but I think the best way to use him at this point would be to attempt to trade him for a pitching project since this team is still a couple of years away at best. Go Rays!
Don't worry.. The Rays will trade Lugo...He's coming up on arbitration and you know what that means....So the only question is what will they get in return?? With this administration, ya never know......:noidea
Amazin...Simply Amazin...
East Coast Bat Co
03-21-2006, 08:33 AM
Don't worry.. The Rays will trade Lugo...He's coming up on arbitration and you know what that means....So the only question is what will they get in return?? With this administration, ya never know......:noidea
Amazin...Simply Amazin...
There has been a big turnover in administration so I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt until they prove me wrong.