Hammel or Neimann for the 5th starter?

[raysnbran]

I think Hammel will get it. He has more ML experience, and has pitched in both a starter role and a long reliever. Niemann has just a taste of the big leagues last year. He has started his whole career, but his stuff seems to scream closer. He's also so tall that it is hard for him to duplicate his release point consistently. Hammel doesn't impress you, but he had a strong effort in September against the Sox, and I'm sure it boosted his confidence. Either one will be a placeholder until David Price sticks up here for good. And there is Wade Davis waiting in the wings for his shot. He had a good spring for the most part, just needs some more seasoning in AAA.

[Inge15]

In my opinion, Hammel is by far the safer chance. With that, Hammel should get it.

[zengator]

In my opinion, Hammel is by far the safer chance. With that, Hammel should get it.

I agree; he was a more the adequate 5th starter last season in April when Kaz was on the DL. Nieman has a chance to be pretty good himself, tho, as do Davis and, what's that guy's name?... Oh yeah, David Price.

It's amazing that the Rays have this "problem" considering that it wasn't long ago that, Casey Fossum, Tim Corcoran, and Jae Seo each started over 10 games, with Casey leading the team in starts. :disbelief:

It's pretty much a given that Hammel and Nieman will start the season in the minors since they're out of options. No matter how it shakes out, Durham's going to have a hellofa starting rotation.

[raysnbran]

It's pretty much a given that Hammel and Nieman will start the season in the minors since they're out of options. No matter how it shakes out, Durham's going to have a hellofa starting rotation.

I think you meant the majors, because they are out of options like you said. They can't be sent to Durham, because they would have to be put on waivers and they would be claimed before ever getting to Durham.

[zengator]

I think you meant the majors, because they are out of options like you said. They can't be sent to Durham, because they would have to be put on waivers and they would be claimed before ever getting to Durham.

Oops, you are correct. Slip of the keyboard. :atthepc

[raysnbran]

Hammel didn't help his cause today. 4 ER in 4 innings against the Pirates. Niemann still has a chance to take it back from him, but it appears likely that David Price will start the year in AAA.

[raysnbran]

According to this link, Jeff Neimann is being mentioned in trade talks with the Padres. But the Padres have deemed the asking price as being too high, though Neimann is major league ready now, and these guys are not.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/mar/28/padres-notebook-young-angry-bad-start78377/?padres

The Padres have shown interest in trading for starting pitcher Jeff Niemann, a No. 5 candidate for the Tampa Bay Rays.

In return, the defending American League champions have inquired about Padres prospects Simon Castro, Wynn Pelzer, Juedy Valdez and Nick Schmidt. The Padres have deemed the price too high. Niemann is out of minor league options, reducing the Rays'trade leverage.

[gman5431]

They are going to have to trade one of the guys or both or lose them. No doubt that Price will be up before the calendar hits May.

G Man

[raysnbran]

Neimann threw six innings of shutout, 4 hit baseball today, making it that much tougher on Maddon to decide. Hammel had a nice outing over the weekend. Hopefully they are showcasing them both, so that Price will be here sooner rather than later.

[zengator]

Price isn't ready. He needs confidence in 3 pitches to be a consistent starter, hopefully he'll be up by Memorial Day.

I like Neiman a lot more than Hammel, dunno if they want to keep both. The thing is, when you have no real holes in the roster, trades can be hard to make. I guess a package of young minor leaguers is what the Rays would want in return.

[gman5431]

There is absolutely no way that Price will stay in the minors all the way til Memorial Day. I dont think he will be in AAA after May 1.

G Man

[zengator]

There is absolutely no way that Price will stay in the minors all the way til Memorial Day. I dont think he will be in AAA after May 1.

G Man

I dunno - barring an injury to a starter, Price will probably get 9 or 10 starts in the minors. He needs to be more consistent with his pitches, plus the Rays want to be very careful about the amount of innings he pitches, especially early on. You can't do either one of those things starting for a major league club with post-season expectations.

And it's not like Hammel or Nieman are terrible; they're both above average 5th starters. David Price's time will come, but it's not here yet, imo.

[gman5431]

I dunno - barring an injury to a starter, Price will probably get 9 or 10 starts in the minors. He needs to be more consistent with his pitches, plus the Rays want to be very careful about the amount of innings he pitches, especially early on. You can't do either one of those things starting for a major league club with post-season expectations.

And it's not like Hammel or Nieman are terrible; they're both above average 5th starters. David Price's time will come, but it's not here yet, imo.

I guess time will tell. The way i see it, at the first sign of any trouble or any injury, he is up. Dont see that taking 2 months. I think they are going to attempt to deal someone as well.

G Man

[moebarguy]

Are the Niemann-to-Padres talks dead?

[zengator]

I've heard Niemann to SD or Hammel to Colorado. If it's gonna happen, it'll be soon.

[raysnbran]

It's official, Neimann is the 5th starter, Hammel has been traded to Colorado for AA pitcher Aneury Rodriguez. Lance Cormier also makes the roster bullpen as the long reliever. I like it, Niemann has more upside, I've seen enough of Hammel. Not sure how his pitches will survive the air in Colorado, but we still wish him the best of luck. :clapping

http://blogs.tampabay.com/rays/2009/04/hammel-traded-to-rockies-niemann-fifth-starter.html

[gman5431]

So how long does Neimann get? Are they going to deal him too? Its obvious they want Price up.

G