Inside the Delmon deal

The Rays deal to trade Delmon Young to the Twins hit a late snag, but both teams were focused enough on the pieces they wanted to prevent the hurdle from killing the deal as negotiations headed into the night Wednesday.

In the early afternoon Wednesday, just as the Rays were completing their new stadium unveiling, word emerged that the teams were close to a trade centered around Young and 24-year-old righthander Matt Garza. But it appeared the Rays were caught off guard by the timing of the news, as seen by Andrew Friedman's abrupt departure from the stadium festivities.

One source said the teams were close to closing the deal Tuesday. But the Rays obviously didn't plan on making a such a monumental roster move that might steal thunder from the highly anticipated stadium unveiling. As talk headed into evening, and both teams remained hushed, the feeling was that something was going to happen.

Reached on his cell phone late afternoon, Young said he hadn't heard anything. Infielder Brendan Harris, who was part of the deal, had received calls all afternoon from friends and family who heard about the rumor. In fact, when a Times reporter called his cell phone and got his voice mail, Harris immediately called back, seeing the 727 area code on the number and thinking it was the Rays with news.

Harris sounded disappointed about a looming trade: "I kinda thought I had carved a niche for myself here. This would be the third time I've been traded. It's not like I'm a bad clubhouse guy or anything."

Apparently what was holding up the deal was the Rays' health concern about Twins reliever Juan Rincon, who was reportedly the third player coming to Tampa Bay initially along with Garza and shortstop Jason Bartlett. Tampa Bay was wary of the status of Rincon's elbow -- he has arthroscopic surgery the elbow following the 2005 season and occasionally dealt with fatigue in the joint -- but Rincon's agent, Ed Setlik said Wednesday night, "If he's got elbow problems, that's news to me. He was throwing 94, 95 at the end of last season. I don't even know where to start with that claim."

Rincon, who was one of the AL's top late-inning middle relievers from 2004 to 2006 before struggling last season, also served a 10-game suspension for violating MLB's substance-abuse policy in 2005.

That wasn't enough to hold up the deal. The Twins ponied up 21-year-old minor league reliever Eduardo Morlan, who spent most of last season dominating hitters in the Florida State League with Fort Myers. Morlan, who was born in Cuba and grew up in Miami, has a 2.82 ERA along with 337 strikeouts in 274 2/3 minor league innings over four seasons and would likely start next season at Double-A Montgomery. So Friedman had to be happy to add another arm to the stable of young pitching in the minors.

The Twins obviously liked Rays minor leaguer Jason Pridie, the last piece of the deal. They selected him in last year's Rule 5 Draft before returining him before spring training. It also now explains why the Rays added Pridie to the 40-man roster last week, considering talks between the teams began at the GM meetings in Orlando in the first week of this month.

But as far as the key figures of the trade, both sides knew what they wanted.

"They insisted on Garza, they wanted Bartlett," Twins GM Bill Smith said. "We were equally as insistent on getting Delmon Young."

Comments

[Dum Dum]

The fact that someone saying trouble maker and you implying that it is the black players makes you a racist, idiot!

[JP]

Good riddance to Delmon. His acidic personality, lack of self discipline and sense of entitlement won't be missed. I have no ill will towards him personally, but he has made it known constantly that he didn't want to be here, so... see ya'.

I'd rather have one B.J. Upton than two Delmon Youngs anyday.

[jeff]

Mr. Boisterous (as written by Eduardo in the Times about Maddon's demeanor in regards to the firing of Bill Evers) refers to Joe Maddon. Last time I checked he isn't black?

[jeff]

Mr. Boisterous (as written by Eduardo in the Times about Maddon's demeanor in regards to the firing of Bill Evers) refers to Joe Maddon. Last time I checked he isn't black?

[Jimmy Mack]

I went to several games this past year, and on two occasions sat in the right field. I watched Delmon Young play with intense scrutiny, and I was certainly not impressed. He would not hustle to make the play in many instances, and frequently let the ball bounce in front of him rather than let it get by him. He may well be possible of superstar play some day, but I just did not see the agressiveness and demeanor of a superstar when I would watch. Still, I wish him nothing but the best in his career, and I hope to be proud to say someday that I watched him play.

[Yes, Yes, its sweet Lou, oh no!]

Yes, why don't we get rid of all the "troublemakers", meaning black players, to many of you. It would be great if the black residents of St. Pete voted as a bloc against the stadium proposal since most white Rays fans appear to be racists if these blogs are any indication.

[Leigh]

Listen. The trade is pretty fair if you ask my opinion. The SS's are a wash, so youre looking at Young for Garza. Sure its not the homerun we all hoped for, but that's the reality with a guy who had risk as high as his reward in a guy like Young.

The Rays clearly decided his attitude didn't fit in to their team model, despite his potential to become an all-star, and I think they're right there. And they got good (not great) value for him now (and the future too mind you, this kid's only 24), and this guy has potential to become a #2 guy.

It's a much safer bet with a better reward I think, bc with the prospects we have in the minors, imagine a few years from now when we have #2 talent in a #4 or 5 slot when we travel to Fenway or New York and you'll actually have some hope that we can consistantly win 2/3 in those series.

They were never gunna get more for Young, so the owners applied smart wallstreet tactics and got out of the Delmon Young stock while he's still attractive and before he possibly had a blow up and his value went down. Now we'll have less future headaches and maybe slightly lower production in LF in exchange for improved team chemistry (see Rockies, Colorodo) better pitching (see Indians, Cleveland) and more patient batters (see succesful team, any).

Let's not forget that at this rate, the Rays will have a stable of arms entering their prime in a few years. Heaven forbid we have too many of them, we'll just have to auction them off for OF's who will be just as good if not better than Delmon at that time.

Again, good (not great) trade, but be glad the owners have a plan that will theoretically generate baseball and financial success (new stadium & development) and make baseball succesfull if not relevant in Tampa Bay for years to come.

[jeff]

We have seats behind the Ray's dugout for spring training. Last year I couldn't take the talking during the national anthem between Young, Dukes and even Carl. I had to let Mr. Boisterous know how I felt with a shout out "show some discipline." Joe shouted back that he would handle the bench. Well the rest is history - and thanks for getting rid of Mr. Young, Rays. Now for Mr. Boisterous!

[Jim]

They should outlaw idiots posting..Bob R.= R for retard?

[Erik]

That comment by Bob R may be the most ignorant piece of print I've read in awhile.

[Erik]

That comment by Bob R may be the most ignorant piece of print I've read in awhile.

[Bob R.]

Young deserved more than this bulls hit Rays organization and now he'll have his chance to be a full-fledged superstar. Of course the morons that comprise the SPT coverage, specifically Topkin, won't delve into Young's contract, its expiration, and what he can then demand. This, of course, factored into skinflint Stu's motivation for a bad deal.

[Twins Fan Who's Been Watching the Rays]

This deal should serve both teams well. The Twins needed the bats, and the Rays needed the pitching. I think the Rays will really enjoy having a 'piranha' in their lineup in Bartlett, and Garza has some good signs, he just needed a change to his locale to get on the right track.

[ET90210]

I like this deal more for the Twins... however, the Days dealt from a position of strength, and got a much-needed young SP, who could be a #2 or #3 starter for years to come.

Love the new stadium plans, btw!
http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2007/11/29/devil-rays-new-stadium/

[Erik]

Isn't the Twins' GM name Bill Smith?