Tampa plans to DH Hawpe primarily, considering how dismal the production has been all season. This signing is a significant upgrade and, since Brad cleared waivers, is costing the ballclub next to nothing. If he can produce around .270-.280, they will be more than happy with that.

He is supposed to be in uniform by Tuesday, thus making him elligable for the post-season.

I said this about Hawpe in an another thread, but from 06-09 put up .288/.384/.518 125 OPS+. Now most of that is against RHP, which can be very valuable for the Rays if he's used in a platoon in September. This could be a great pick up for the Rays.

Tampa DHes have put up a .238/314/370/683 line this year, and Hawpe has a 255/343/432/776, so that's an improvement.

However, Hawpe has looked awfully toasty lately--213/308/356 since May.

I'd rather stick with Dan Johnson.

I would rather Dan Johnson in theory too, but if they can catch lightning with Hawpe, then so be it. Johnson is once again struggling and cursed by a small sample. If only he'd come up to MLB on fire and remain that way for a month, we might get to see what he could do. Maddon's really good at cycling through players, playing platoons style matchups and getting PAs for his hitters - Breignac/Rodriguez/Bartlet comes to mind.

Tampa doesn't seem like they'd stick with one over the other if either tanks, and if Hawpe is toasty, why not cut bait - it costs them little to nothing? If either Johnson or Hawpe goes on a tear, though, it could make a huge difference to this team.

Johnson is once again struggling and cursed by a small sample.

Having watched Dan Johnson through the minors and with hope for a number of years, I think the problem is really that Dan Johnson is just not that good.

We might never know with Johnson if what he's done is who he is, but Hawpe's crushed RHers in his career and, without watching him play much, I'm more apt to trust his SSS of suckitude than Johnson's.