Per the latest BaseballAmerica minor league transactions, the Rays have signed infield Daniel Mayora, who played six seasons in the Rockies system, the last two at double-A. Mayora hit .286/.352/.440 with Tulsa in 2010, but was limited to just 66 games (his last game played was July 5th, but I can't find news of whatever injury sidelined him). Mayora played 35 games at third base, 25 at shortstop, and 10 at second base according to Baseball-Reference. In 2009, he played 73 games at second base, 32 at shortstop, 17 at third base. The Rays previously signed Ray Olmedo, who figures to be Durham's shortstop, but Mayora could be in that mix as well.
Also from the transactions list, D.J. Jones, who had previously retired, was listed as "reinstated from inactive list," so it sounds like he's coming back. He last played in 2009 at Hudson Valley.
Where does J J Furmaniak play
ReplyDeleteHe slipped my mind there, but he's probably in fact the frontrunner for the Durham SS gig. Olmedo and Mayora could duke it out for the 2B and utility roles, or Mayora could be back in AA, though with Wrigley at 3B, Beckham at SS, and Figueroa at 2B, there wouldn't be a starting spot for him there, unless Wrigley moves to 1B and Mike Sheridan isn't promoted.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget Matt Sweeney is also likely to start in AA.
ReplyDeleteAlso, where would this leave Shawn O'Malley?
What about Greg Sexton who is also a 3rd baseman!!!
ReplyDeleteAlso Cody Cipriano, Its going to be a tough camp.
ReplyDeleteMayora broke his hand in early July:
ReplyDeleteTulsa infielder Daniel Mayora suffered a broken left hand Monday that ended his season. In 66 games, Mayora hit .286 with three homers and 30 RBI. After hitting .162 in April, Mayora hit .310 until he was injured and finished the season with a .356 average (21-for-59) with runners in scoring position. Mayora, who turns 25 on July 27, projects as a possible utility type in the big leagues. A native of Venezuela, Mayora spent two years in the Dominican Summer League before playing at Rookie Casper in 2005. In six seasons playing for Rockies affiliates in the United States, Mayora has batted .294 in 2,104 at-bats.
I keep seeing the Rays farm guys slipping out of the lineups, and I'm just curious about something. If all these players who have recently been signed are that good, why were they released/not picked up by their former teams? Add Bortnick to the infield list also.
ReplyDeleteI agree with anonymous, Cast offs frm other teams are replacing the people we drafted and seem to be high on. Are we really that weak in the infield????
ReplyDeleteHad not heard of this Aussie before:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.wyndhamweekly.com.au/news/local/sport/baseball/george-a-ray-of-sunshine-in-big-deluge/2053084.aspx
Well maybe I do see why all the off season infield signings. Not one Ray prospect is on MILB's Top 10 prospect list of infiels position players for this year. That may be most telling of all.
ReplyDeleteI don't know where else to post this question, but, I'd like to know just how long is Tampa Bay obligated to play in the Tampa/St. Pete area. Obviously, it doesn't draw fans in that location. Perhaps one of the the reasons is because there are a lot of loyal Yankees and Red Sox fans who vacation there, and don't want to switch loyalties. Baseball fans who live in North Carolina, South Carolina could sure use a major league baseball team. They don't have any located between Baltimore and Atlanta. Is a move, and not just a local move, even in the picture for the Rays? For their sake, I sure hope so.
ReplyDeleteThe Rays contract with the City of St. Petersburg runs through 2027. If they try to leave early it will end up in court and the judge will decide how much it would cost the Rays to leave, or even if they can. Here is a good article summarizing the situation from back in 2009.
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