Devil Ray development - Huff to Houston
Good news, Houston fans! The Tampa Bay Devil Rays just sent you infielder/outfielder Aubrey Huff for two minor league prospects, right-hander Mitch Talbot and infielder Ben Zobrist.
According to the Associated Press, Huff is Tampa Bay's career leader in games (798), at bats (3,016), runs (399), hits (868), doubles (173), home runs (128), extra-base hits (307) and RBIs (449). He has eclipsed 20 home runs each of the last four seasons and has also broke the 100-RBI mark twice.
Manager Phil Garner now has several options: He can play Huff at first base, third base, or in right field. Most likely, Huff - who played third base primarily this season in Tampa - will cut into the struggling Morgan Ensberg's playing time, at least until Ensberg can get out of his season-long funk.
It's clear that the Astros made this move with the intention of making a serious playoff run in the second half, and a lot of it will depend on their offense, as I alluded to in a previous post.
Huff hit safely in 20 of his last 23 games with the Devil Rays, and now that the trade cloud has been lifted, he should be able to get back to the level of play he exhibited in 2003 and 2004 - his two best seasons thus far.
Although he missed a month of playing time in the beginning of the season, Huff has been on a tear over the past two months. Since bottoming out with a batting average of .123 on May 18, Huff has gone 57-for-165 (.345) to bring his average all the way up to .283.
The power numbers aren't quite there yet, but playing in the friendly confines of Minute Maid Park should fix that real quick.
At 30 years old, Huff is in the midst of his prime and this move to Houston should elevate his career to a new level. I'm sure Houston's pitching staff is happy about his acquisition.
Go get him now, it will be worth your while, and the multiple position eligibility certainly doesn't hurt either.
TAMPA BAY IMPLICATIONS
Moving Aubrey Huff gives the Devil Rays some more payroll flexibility as they look to shed the image of being the laughing-stock of the A.L. East and turn into a future contender.
Huff's departure should give jack-of-all-trades Ty Wigginton a more permanent position in the lineup at third base, with Travis Lee also securing first base. But all that may not matter if Tampa decides to promote either Delmon Young or B.J. Upton.
After serving a 50-game suspension for chucking a bat at an umpire in a minor league game earlier this season, Young has been hitting .375 (27-for-72) with two homers and 19 RBI in 19 games for Triple-A Durham since being reinstated. So if you have a roster opening, or if you're in the type of league that has a minor league roster spot for just such an occasion, pick him up and keep an eye on his progression.
Upton on the other hand has struggled defensively at shortstop, but is a phenomenal talent at the plate, which means that the Devil Rays might try him out at third base.
Watch Tampa closely. In the past month, they've cleared a lot of roster space for their top prospects - moving Joey Gathright to Kansas City, Toby Hall and Mark Hendrickson to the Dodgers, and now Huff to Houston - and they may not be done yet.
Carl Crawford is one of the most desirable names in the rumor mill and Jonny Gomes could also be moved. The team needs at least two more quality starters to accompany young ace Scott Kazmir, and they definitely need a better alternative closing out games than Brian Meadows.
Look for the D'Rays to continue to be strategic sellers this year.
According to the Associated Press, Huff is Tampa Bay's career leader in games (798), at bats (3,016), runs (399), hits (868), doubles (173), home runs (128), extra-base hits (307) and RBIs (449). He has eclipsed 20 home runs each of the last four seasons and has also broke the 100-RBI mark twice.
Manager Phil Garner now has several options: He can play Huff at first base, third base, or in right field. Most likely, Huff - who played third base primarily this season in Tampa - will cut into the struggling Morgan Ensberg's playing time, at least until Ensberg can get out of his season-long funk.
It's clear that the Astros made this move with the intention of making a serious playoff run in the second half, and a lot of it will depend on their offense, as I alluded to in a previous post.
Huff hit safely in 20 of his last 23 games with the Devil Rays, and now that the trade cloud has been lifted, he should be able to get back to the level of play he exhibited in 2003 and 2004 - his two best seasons thus far.
Although he missed a month of playing time in the beginning of the season, Huff has been on a tear over the past two months. Since bottoming out with a batting average of .123 on May 18, Huff has gone 57-for-165 (.345) to bring his average all the way up to .283.
The power numbers aren't quite there yet, but playing in the friendly confines of Minute Maid Park should fix that real quick.
At 30 years old, Huff is in the midst of his prime and this move to Houston should elevate his career to a new level. I'm sure Houston's pitching staff is happy about his acquisition.
Go get him now, it will be worth your while, and the multiple position eligibility certainly doesn't hurt either.
TAMPA BAY IMPLICATIONS
Moving Aubrey Huff gives the Devil Rays some more payroll flexibility as they look to shed the image of being the laughing-stock of the A.L. East and turn into a future contender.
Huff's departure should give jack-of-all-trades Ty Wigginton a more permanent position in the lineup at third base, with Travis Lee also securing first base. But all that may not matter if Tampa decides to promote either Delmon Young or B.J. Upton.
After serving a 50-game suspension for chucking a bat at an umpire in a minor league game earlier this season, Young has been hitting .375 (27-for-72) with two homers and 19 RBI in 19 games for Triple-A Durham since being reinstated. So if you have a roster opening, or if you're in the type of league that has a minor league roster spot for just such an occasion, pick him up and keep an eye on his progression.
Upton on the other hand has struggled defensively at shortstop, but is a phenomenal talent at the plate, which means that the Devil Rays might try him out at third base.
Watch Tampa closely. In the past month, they've cleared a lot of roster space for their top prospects - moving Joey Gathright to Kansas City, Toby Hall and Mark Hendrickson to the Dodgers, and now Huff to Houston - and they may not be done yet.
Carl Crawford is one of the most desirable names in the rumor mill and Jonny Gomes could also be moved. The team needs at least two more quality starters to accompany young ace Scott Kazmir, and they definitely need a better alternative closing out games than Brian Meadows.
Look for the D'Rays to continue to be strategic sellers this year.
posted by The Knuckler @ 7/12/2006 01:22:00 PM
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