Rays add Anderson, bring back Paul
The Rays will bring LHP Brian Anderson and C Josh Paul to camp on minor-league contracts.
Anderson, 35, last pitched in the majors in 2005, spending the last two seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery. He has an 82-83 career record and 4.74 ERA, having pitched for the Angels, Indians, Diamondbacks and Royals. He made six starts for the Royals in 2005 before sustaining an elbow injury. He was Arizona's first pick of the November 1997 expansion draft, following the Rays selection of Tony Saunders.
Paul, a favorite of manager Joe Maddon, spent the last two seasons as the Rays backup, and will compete with Shawn Riggans and Mike Difelice for the job again. He hit .190 last season, limited to 35 games due to an elbow injury sustained in May. Paul, 32, has played parts of nine seasons in the majors, compiling a .244 career average with 10 home runs.
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NO MORE OLD BROKEN DOWN PLAYERS! GO WITH YOUTH AND LET THEM GET EXPERIENCE. THERE ARE ENOUGH VETERANS ON THIS TEAM. DO NOT BLOCK THE ROUTE TO THE MAJORS FOR ALL THE GOOD YOUNG TALENT WITH OLD GUYS!
Posted by: J | February 04, 2008 at 08:58 PM
i like all these moves we're making, but to be honest, i'm damn scared of the red sox in '08. i hope we can hang with them, but it makes me nervous to think of all the times we're going to have to play them, here and at fenway.
the yanks aren't quite so scary because they're "rebuilding."
Posted by: raysfan | February 03, 2008 at 12:42 AM
Brian Anderson seems pretty determined. I bet he'll be back in the big leagues by June.
Posted by: Linda | February 02, 2008 at 09:39 PM
Anderson will be a lefty out of the bull-pen if he recovers & or even makes it to the Big show. ???? to meny questions. I hope they are still looking for a lefty (good one)because that is the hole in our ozone.
Posted by: CharlieRay | February 02, 2008 at 05:34 AM
Anderson may turn out to be a bargain if he's recovered. A back of the rotation guy that can eat up some innings, provide 10 or so wins is nothing to sneeze at.
Glad josh paul is back, too.
Posted by: Brett | February 01, 2008 at 04:37 PM
i like paul, not so sure about Anderson though.
Posted by: ryan callahan | February 01, 2008 at 04:31 PM