RealGM

Evan Longoria almost undoubtably will begin the season at Durham.

His stay is expected to be just 2 or 3 weeks.

This move is not because the Rays feel that Longoria isn't ready, but is one of future financial well being . The minor league start delays the arbitration process available to Longoria an additional year.

I doubt Longoria is too thrilled, but the small market teams really must take every opportunity to stay competitive down the road.

I'm surprised that after increasing our payroll almost $20 million that we'd penny pinch with Longoria? I guess a 2-3 week wait isn't too bad though?

What a shame. We would really benefit with him starting on the squad at the outset.

Apparently Longoria might not be able to debut with the Rays until 5/26 if this move is made to delay his FA status waaaaay down the road.

It has to do with the 120+ day period......confusing.

Anyhow, if this is true, the Rays are making a terrible mistake. This kid needs to play early at the latest, if not the beginning of the season.

When are they making a decision on Longoria? I drafted him in fantasy and need to know whether or not to drop him if he is undoutably going down until late May. I heard the kid has a ton of talent.

He will start in the minors.

will it be until late May until he can come back up then due to arbitration? Link?

nevermind just saw it on yahoo...

Mar 24 Longoria was reassigned to the Rays' minor league camp on Monday, the St. Petersburg Times reports.
Recommendation: This would seem to be a purely economic move that will allow the Rays to maintain control of Longoria's rights an extra year, even if the third baseman spends only a month or so at Triple-A. Longoria, who many consider to be baseball's top prospect, batted .262 with three home runs and 10 RBI this spring. Look for the Rays to potentially promote Longoria to the majors sometime during the first half of the year, perhaps as soon as early May. This means Willy Aybar likely will start the season at third base for Tampa Bay, although Eric Hinske is also a possibility.


tis a shame

My understanding....which may not be correct.....is that Longoria would not debut until June 1.....if this is a cost related move (obviously it is). It has to do with days of service, or something like that.

Here's the link.

Longoria was sent down after todays game.


http://www.tampabay.com/

By waiting to call him up the are actually adding a year of arbitration and thus pushing free agency further away. As a Rays fan you're pissed because you want to see this guy play in the bigs but on the other hand this only prolongs his Rays career. It is a move that a small-market team like us that needs to be done.

I understand that.

There is some conflict as to how long Longoria is going to be prevented from joining the Rays. Bill Chastain originally reported that Longoria would only miss a few weeks.

Others are saying that Longoria will be prevented from playing for the Rays until 6/1. If so, it's debatable that this is the proper move assuming that Longoria is major league ready right now.

If it's a few weeks, no problem.

If it's because they think Longoria isn't ready, then no problem.

But, if it's 2 months, and Longoria is ready, then the matter is up for serious questioning.

Sounds very similar to what the Brewers did with Ryan Braun last season. Ryan ended up being called up at the end of May and still won ROY.

Yeah, in retrospect, Longoria was hitting around .260 and had only played around 40 games at AAA Durham.

This may be better for him this year. IDK though....still torn about it because the other options at 3B are not appealing.

Yea the available 3b's is not an enticing group.