Is there any reason the Devil Rays would want Griffey?

Weeks of excitement in the wait for #601?

Because Greg Vaughn isn't returning their calls?

What is the difference between 2008 Ken Griffey, Jr. and 2008 Cornelius Floyd?

Between the both of them, you could cobble together one league average corner outfielder?

What is the difference between 2008 Ken Griffey, Jr. and 2008 Cornelius Floyd?

Griffey can stand in the outfield and pretend to be a right-fielder while Floyd can't. In essence, nothing, which is why I'm pretty sure the Rays have no interest in him.

Adam Dunn, on the other hand...

Did not see this report coming.

Sure, Griffey would listen if the Rays called.

The very idea that the Rays will be likely be buyers at the trade deadline is boggling my mind.

I think it makes sense. Griffey will generate publicity and ticket sales. The rest of the Rays are strong enough to carry a Griffey in the lineup and on the field.

Griffey's agent claimed there's nothing to this:

Griffey's agent, Brian Goldberg, told MLB.com on Sunday that he didn't know where the story came from.

"Nobody has mentioned anything to Junior or I," Goldberg said. "It's got to be a media member thinking out loud."

Goldberg added that no trade proposals have been brought to Griffey, who has 10-5 no-trade rights since he has at least 10 years of Major League service, including the past five with one team.

MLB.com

I think it makes sense. Griffey will generate publicity and ticket sales. The rest of the Rays are strong enough to carry a Griffey in the lineup and on the field.

I don't think it ever makes sense to trade for a player whose offensive and defensive games need to be "carried" by the rest of the team. It doesn't make sense to trade anything of even nominal value for a player who is unlikely to outperform Cliff Floyd when your team already has Cliff Floyd.

I don't think it ever makes sense to trade for a player whose offensive and defensive games need to be "carried" by the rest of the team. It doesn't make sense to trade anything of even nominal value for a player who is unlikely to outperform Cliff Floyd when your team already has Cliff Floyd.

It's an economic argument. The Rays need publicity, which Griffey will bring. If the difference between Floyd and Griffey is negligible, but Griffey brings in a net increase in revenue (as well as expanding the fanbase), then I would do it. To you and I, Floyd is as valuable as Griffey. But to the casual fan, it's a world of difference.

I am extremely dubious of the argument that Griffey is going to appreciably increase attendence. Extremely dubious.

I am extremely dubious of the argument that Griffey is going to appreciably increase attendence. Extremely dubious.

Well, if you hand him a guitar and claim he had a hit in the 80s, that'd be a different story. Maybe say he was one of the original members of The Gap Band.

(They did draw high 20s/low 30s for each game of the weekend Marlins/Rays series, though)

Well, if you hand him a guitar and claim he had a hit in the 80s, that'd be a different story. Maybe say he was one of the original members of The Gap Band.

Ken Griffey, Jr. = Ray Parker, Jr.

I am extremely dubious of the argument that Griffey is going to appreciably increase attendence. Extremely dubious.

It doesn't have to necessarily reflect in the attendance. It could be in the number of Rays jerseys sold. It could be in how often a Rays game leads off Sportscenter or BB Tonight. It could be the kids in Florida choosing between rooting for the Marlins or the Rays. The business model is complex, but I'm pretty confident that Griffery brings more benefits than Floyd outside the baseball field.

I can see a Griffey acquisition being good for an initial burst of coverage and attention, but if he ends up playing like Cliff Floyd, I would be surprised if the long-term impact is much more than a push. For a Griffey trade to be worth the time, effort, money, and player going back to the Reds, Griffey has to play better than he has. And I don't have any confidence that he would.

The business model is complex, but I'm pretty confident that Griffery brings more benefits than Floyd outside the baseball field.

Yeah, but Floyd knows how to win.

The business model is complex, but I'm pretty confident that Griffery brings more benefits than Floyd outside the baseball field.

I doubt any single player (including you-know-who) will increase attendance in St. Pete. Being in the pennant race in late August will, though. And I just don't see Griffey's presence adding to that.

A fifth starter that isn't Edwin Jackson, however...

It could be in the number of Rays jerseys sold.

I'm pretty sure that in MLB teams do not get the revenue from their jersey/hat sales-it all goes into one big pool that is divided up evenly. In order for the Rays to make more money they need to get people to the park (where they buy things like beer that do go to the team) or get more TV viewers. At any rate, I don't think there's any benefit they could get that isn't reflected by attendance and unless Griffey announces he's retiring after this year I don't see him drawing that many extra fans or viewers.

Griffey, a resident of Orlando, Fla., has a no-trade clause but would be interested in waiving it if he could be dealt closer to home to a contending team

Closer to home? Where have I heard that before? This guy is a bigger prima donna than Bonds.

You heard that almost 10 years ago. Yes finally Griffey Jr. is making Cincy rue the day that they traded for him 10 years ago with his constant asking for being traded to Tampa Bay.

The business model is complex

They tried the same move with McGriff, Vaughn, Boggs, etc. It didn't work then, I don't see why it'd work now. They have a good team, just let it ride.

They tried the same move with McGriff, Vaughn, Boggs, etc. It didn't work then, I don't see why it'd work now. They have a good team, just let it ride.

That was my first thought. They brought in the veterans, even a Tampa native or two, and it didn't really help.

I'm pretty sure that in MLB teams do not get the revenue from their jersey/hat sales-it all goes into one big pool that is divided up evenly.

I think that from the other things in the post, he's talking more indirect than that. If MLB sells a bunch of Griffey Rays jerseys, then there's that many more Rays jerseys being worn, which helps raise the profile of the team.

Teams do get the revenue from jerseys actually sold at the park. But I don't see that as a big source of revenue - certainly nowhere near enough to offset Griffey's salary - even if he were being paid the league minimum or close to it.

A fifth starter that isn't Edwin Jackson, however...

I think most teams wish they could call Jackson their 5th starter.

I think that from the other things in the post, he's talking more indirect than that. If MLB sells a bunch of Griffey Rays jerseys, then there's that many more Rays jerseys being worn, which helps raise the profile of the team.

Which is really something that they don't have a huge need for right now. There has been a massive increase in the amount of Rays gear seen around town this season, team logo visibility isn't that much of a problem at this point. Sure, Griffey jerseys would sell, but probably 80% or more of the people would be choosing to wear their Griffey jersey instead of the Longoria, Crawford, Kazmir, whoever jersey they already had and wore. I can't imagine that a former star on the downside of his career who isn't going for any significant milestones will provide more than a marginal incentive to go to a game over what a winning team already does. Attendance increases take time and I doubt Griffey would do much to help.

As for the baseball end of it, here's a player description: Left-handed veteran hitter who can't play the outfield effectively, injury prone, no longer the player he once was, can still provide modest production from the DH spot. You can't tell who I'm talking about because that applies exactly to both Floyd and Griffey, there's not much difference at this point beyond the unknown factor of which might have something more left in the tank and go on an extended somewhat hot streak later. They're completely redundant and Floyd would have to go if Griffey was brought in. I normally am not one to ever invoke team chemistry or clubhouse stuff but with two similar players I think it's at least worth considering a bit. Floyd has fit in perfectly with this team from the beginning and has gotten many positive comments from both his teammates and the media/management. Griffey is an unknown for how he'd fit in, plus he's a former superstar that probably still expects the star treatment. Maybe he's a good role model, maybe he's a poor one and a distraction. Why bother finding out and messing with what's working when he's not a clear baseball upgrade?

Trade for Griffey. Sign Bonds. Convince Rafael Palmeiro to unretire. Ship a prospect over for Frank Thomas. Get Wade Boggs out of the front office and onto the field, and the Rays will be perfectly set up to win the 1994 World Series!

I enjoy the notion of Tampa residents turning out to watch the disabled list. Surely many of the seniors in the area can compare aches and pains with "the Kid".

These youngsters in Tampa have never won anything and need someone to show them the way. Just think of how fearsome they'll be once they have the secrets of the the Mighty Cincinnati Reds 00's MoJo! The assault on .500 cannot fail.

Seriously, I do believe that if you're going young then it makes sense to get an older guy to start the children off on a good path. But the time for that was years ago. These guys are way too old for that nanny stuff. I hope the Rays' front office is finally changing their perspective from laying a youthful foundation to winning some games. Griffey only has a role there if they think it's really early in the process or they're on the doorstep.

Seriously, I do believe that if you're going young then it makes sense to get an older guy to start the children off on a good path. But the time for that was years ago. These guys are way too old for that nanny stuff. I hope the Rays' front office is finally changing their perspective from laying a youthful foundation to winning some games. Griffey only has a role there if they think it's really early in the process or they're on the doorstep.

It seems to me they actually filled that role with the aforementioned Floyd. It was interesting in that column calling Floyd a winner. Before the season, I agreed with the idea that a solid veteran (who could still contribute on the field) might help a young club on the verge of success. A Cliff Floyd type would work, though it didn't necessarily have to be the actual model, and I certainly never thought the genuine Cliff Floyd had some kind of magical presence.

Mookie Wilson.

Seriously, I do believe that if you're going young then it makes sense to get an older guy to start the children off on a good path. But the time for that was years ago. These guys are way too old for that nanny stuff. I hope the Rays' front office is finally changing their perspective from laying a youthful foundation to winning some games. Griffey only has a role there if they think it's really early in the process or they're on the doorstep.

All the guys on Baseball Tonight last night said it would be a bad deal for Tampa. The 'logic' was that Longoria, Upton, and the rest would think, "Now we have Ken Griffey, we don't have to play hard anymore because he'll carry us".

Um, yeah. Or, they've watched baseball in the last five years and know it would just be another token veteran to carry around who makes more than the entire starting 9 and produces at about 1/5th the rate. Either way. But, I'm sure all those young guys would just stop playing well.