Longoria sent down

Rays 3B prospect Evan Longoria was reassigned to minor-league camp after Monday's game.

The decision has been one of the most anticipated of the spring, as the Rays weighed Longoria's long-term future against his present-day performance.

Longoria said he wasn't disappointed but "a little bit let down'' and the Rays didn't tell him when he might be back.

"It's a tough thing to swallow; just go back down and keep doing what I'm doing," he said. "They didn't give me any timetable; it's really up to me."

Infielder Reid Brignac also was reassigned to minor-league camp.
 
Longoria, 22, made a strong case for himself, with a .262 average through Monday's game with 3 homers, 10 RBIs and 10 walks. But the Rays said from the start the decision will be based on more than just his performance in the games, citing intangibles and subjective topics. Plus, they've pointed out that he has had only 104 at-bats above the Double-A level.
And though the Rays say they are treating Longoria's situation independently of others, there have been comparisons made to how well Milwaukee's Ryan Braun did after starting last season in the minors while Kansas City's Alex Gordon struggled while starting the season in the majors.

Plus there are implications on Longoria's eligibility for free agency and arbitration - if he stays in the minors for even a few weeks, his eligibility for free agency would be delayed a year, until after the 2014 season; if he stays in the minors for several months, he likely would not attain early elibility for arbitration, known as Super Two status, which could save the Rays millions, or even tens of millions, over the next several years.

"It was a tough decision; it's something that was a collaborative process and we spent a lot of time thinking about it,'' Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said. "It wasn't a unanimous decision. It's one of those things I think with the way he played this year and the way he carried himself his timetable has been expedited even in our minds.''

Friedman said the Rays felt they were doing what was best for Longoria and his long-term development and that they tend to "err" on being cautious in these type of decisions. He also said the financial ramifications were "virtually irrelevant" because he expected the Rays would do a long-term deal with Longoria.

(Times photo - James Borchuck. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[Bodog]

Jackasses, stop thinking in terms of batting averages when it comes to Longoria. This kid can make an inpact in a game in more ways than just his batting average. For those of you who don't beleive games count in April, ask the Yankees or Rox Sox (Every game counts.

[joeh]

Baseball is a game but if you the fan want to enjoy the game you got to let management do their job. We are getting better at least I enjoyed last year as a Rays fan. I am not a manager or in baseball management but I do respect their judgement. I know bad ownership when it is there. If you are a home town fan you remember Culverhouse. As good as this kid is there is a lot more he needs to see. Needs to see at the plate, on the field and in the dugout. Hope springs eternal. What is the role of a fan? I guess it is reflected in your attitude. Are you angry, negative, positive or just happy to be able to watch major league baseball. Go Rays. One more thing. If nothing else we got eighteen more games with the Yankees.

[MIke Creyton]

Last I checked, Willie Aybar is a career .292 hitter in MLB. Longoria hit .260 in AAA last year and only had 106 AB's. Aybar hit .286 this spring and Longoria hit .262 this spring. Please explain to me why no one thinks Aybar won this job fair and square. You don't win games on potential, last I checked.

[Scott]

Very smart move. Let him get a tiny bit more seasoning in AAA and then move him up when it's time for the first offensive replacement in late April. Like it or not, baseball is a business and a few weeks in AAA keeps him around at least an extra year.

[Tuck]

Great move! He really should get a little bit more experience at 3A before being called up. You don't want to rush things and mess up his confidence. Remember Dewon Brazelton?

And don't buy into all of that conspiracy theory crap about Longoria's free agency in 2013. He will tear up the big leagues when he is ready and the Rays will give him a new contract well before he is a free agent - just like they did with Crawford, Baldelli, etc...

[Bodog]

Hey Fellas, all of us have an opinion about what was good for Longoria, but I gotta go with CharlieRay, bullcrap, bullcrap, bullcrap, this was all about money and years on the backend of Longoria's career. The Rays send him down because they didn't want to deal with free agency and early arbitration years so they could keey him an additional year in 2014 instead of 2013. Bro. Stu has planted in our minds that he's gonna put a winning product of the field by year 2009 / 2010, but check this out - Crawford will be outta here by 2010 if they don't re-sign. Rocco is done, I think the magority of us know this. Delmond is gone to the Twins. That leaves us with BJ in the outfield. Well the Rays have controll over BJ for at least 5 years( that will take him to the year 2013 at most 2014). Kaz so far won't committ to a long term contract as of yet. Pena - we'll have him until at least year 2013. Shields signed the long term contract, but he'll be at least 31 /32 years old by the end of his contract. I know we have the young guns in the minors, Price, Mcgee, and Davis, plus some others in the lower classes, what I'm getting at guys - these players will all be gone by year 2014, so if the Rays were thinking money or years saved by shipping Longoria to AAA ball what message will it send to the likes of Kaz, Crawford, Upton, Pena to the younger guys in the minors. Yeah, yeah, Yeah it's a business, but it goes back to what Chip said what if your boss passed you over for someone less talented to save money and years. Well I'll tell ya. You get what you pay for - Aybar, a drug addict, it'll be only a matter of time before he starts hitting the blow instead of the ball. Guzman couldn't hit backside of a barn if he was standing in the barn. This sucks what the Rays did to Longoria - how much of this will affect him mentally being ship down - how will being shipped down affect his further developement. This kid can't learn crap in the minors - he can only go up being in the Bigs. Baaaaaaaaad move Tampa Bay Rays all away around. Players feeling, fans feeling. Damn!

[annoyed raysfan]

you idiots with your idiotic comments are making me embarrassed to be a rays fan. THINK WITH YOUR BRAINS!!!! he's only going to be down there a month or so. it's not as though we shipped him off to the red sox for prospects, now is it? he's coming up SOON! keep your damn pants on. whoever said aybar is just keeping his seat warm warm was correct. EVERY PLAYER has to put his time in in the minors, no matter who they are. stop whining about this decision, it's the right move to make, logically, financially, and however else you slice it. STOP COMPLAINING.

[olaf]

I'm guessing this move means Hinske makes the team Rayman.

[John]

Andrew, that was a Vince Namoli move and your reason was a lie. A betrayal of trust to the fans. Games in April count, too.

[RayMan]

They don't need to draw "fans" like you. I'm also hoping once the new stadium is built, it will further weed out these so-called "fans".

[YourName]

sad

[David]

Typical Rays move. Here is my take... Instead of spending my MONEY now to go to a Rays game. I am going to hold on to my MONEY and draw interest from the bank. Sounds like a good BUSINESS move huh. I am excited about the promise of the new season but am highly disapointed in this move to send a player down that is ready for prime time NOW. A-Rod, Griffey Jr, and Bonds all played baseball at a young age and had pretty good careers. The rays need as many marquee players at the trop now if they hope to draw the fans in.

[RayMan]

Don't mean to go off subject, but I hope they keep Hinske.

[olaf]

The team will stay in last place because a 22 year old 3B gets sent down? Does he walk on water too? That .265 BA really knocks my socks off. See Braun vs. Gordon in 2007 before such stupid comments are made.

[Chip]

What a stupid decision. The best ballplayer deserves to make the team. Longoria has way too much class to complain. Remember, Longoria signed right away. He wasn't like a prima donna Delmon Young, wanting millions before he even had a minor league at-bat. Looks like loyalty doesn't flow both ways in the Rays organization. His manager loves him, the guys he plays with know he's an elite ballplayer...but the non-athletic bean-counters get to decide his future. Pathetic. Oh yeah, the fans saying this is an intelligent decision...makes me wonder how they'd be if their boss passed them over for promotion of a more experienced, but lesser talented guy.

[RayMan]

Wise move. Management is hitting on all cylinders. He would have struggled the first month. Let him tear it up down there for a month, but let's not wait later than May unless the rostered 3B is on fire.

[bear]

Uh what's the issue again with the kid getting some experience at the next level without jumping into the MLB pressure cooker?

They got this one right.

[Ray]

You idiots have to look at the long term future instead of right not.

[Jones]

I love Longoria as much as anybody, but did he really out play Willy Aybar that much? No infact here are the numbers

Longoria 262/407/595

Aybar 286/405/429

Of course Longoria has more power, but Aybar has played well this spring. Plus it's not like Longoria will be gone the whole year maybe 6 weeks. Aybar is just keeping his seat warm.

[Jason]

JB they increased their payroll by 70% from last year to this, last time I checked parking was free if you arrive early enough, and compare the ticket price to an NFL or Hockey game. What more do you want brother? It's a process. They're never going to be able to spend like the Yankees or Red Sox.

[Jason]

With the financial implications he would have had to perform to such a level that the Rays had no choice but to keep him on the roseter for opening day. He was rather pedestrian and let's hope he gets some AAA at bats and gets ready for the bigs in May.

[jb]

This is why the RAYS will be in last again and why I will not support the New Stadium.. They are CHEAP.. These Owners are just as bad as the old one and some of you are buying into the LIES they are trying to sell you..

EVAN..Get out of town fast...

[Sean]

Yeah it was a smart move. He may be the best 3rd basemen we have but he didn't shut the door on the others.

a month in AAA can't hurt him.

[Ray]

Smart Move! If he is the type of player we are all expecting, then it will be worth it to send him down to the minors now and bring him back up mid-season, to keep him for an entire season.

[Billy]

So much for all the goodwill built up with the fans. Play the best 3B regardless of finanical implications if you're gonna try to win over the fans. Terrible big picture decision!

[Jimbo]

Of course this is about money. And a smart move on the Rays parts as him being up for an extra month this season could cost millions later in his career. I'm cool with this decision...but I expect him back by the first week in May.

[yo]

not a popular decision but probably the best one right now lets just hope he is called up at the beginning of may

[CharlieRay]

BS BS BS They can BS all they want. This Stinks of money. He earned his spot. Not good. With him down, Kaz on the DH and Rocco gone it will be a hard go not to meneion the left field not hitting for avg.

[Gene]

His AB in the ninth inning of the Yankee game at Legend's field on Friday was one of the best of the spring! Unfortunately, he left the door open to send him down just enough. There is no denying the few AB's against front line major league pitching and his error in the 8th of that game is the one that allowed the winning run to score. Sounds like he is a smart enough kid to understand the situation, and hopefully the Rays are honest with him. A month of good at bats at AAA will build his confidence. By then, the 3 through 5 pitchers of the oposition will have settled in and not be throwing to get a job and may be a more even playing field for him. I'm O.K. with the move as long as he is back by June!

[CJ]

It is a business, but I don't have to like it.

[Chuck "Chuckles the Clown" LaMar]

Shows what so-called fans know about baseball...

[corey]

what a dumb decision...

[Julian]

horrible