Six years, eh?

Um, okay.

That knee must REALLY be hurt.

I suppose that's indirect evidence that his rehab went/is going well.

Why the rush to lock up the least talented of your stable of young OFs when he's coming off a season completely lost to injuries?

I assume this means that Huff is gone. I guess Rays fans are hoping it doesn't mean that Gomes is gone.

The deal is similar in structure to the one the Rays made last spring with Carl Crawford, which included $15.25-million guaranteed and could be worth $32.5-million over six years

.

How is Baldelli worth as much as Crawford?

How is Baldelli worth as much as Crawford?

I suppose Carl could ask his agent.

Statistically they're pretty close (minus those steals, obviously). Baldelli is great in the field as well.

Suppose.

Repoz, that one was a bit of a stretch.

Why the rush to lock up the least talented of your stable of young OFs when he's coming off a season completely lost to injuries?
Buy low, sell high. This guy was (wrongly) inspiring Joe D. comparisons not too far back. As for Huff - he's gone and, even if he wasn't, could slot in at first if need be.

A tip of the cap to Rocco's agent. Impressive.

"Locking up" a guy doesn't necessarily mean you plan to keep him forever.

The Rays are simply placing a bet that Rocco's injuries and unfortunate lack of plate discipline won't keep him from becoming valuable. The fact that they have a growing surplus of talent in the OF doesn't mean they should squander some of it; this way, they get to watch and see who is working out and who isn't, and if their OF gets too crowded, they deal from strength.

If this contract (or any other) works out to be below-market, they get more talent back in return. If it's above-market, it's just money. So this is another sign that the new kids running the show down there are serious.

No way, that was like the first intro I got all week. What was Rocco, a kangaroo or something?

this way, they get to watch and see who is working out and who isn't, and if their OF gets too crowded, they deal from strength.

They could have done all that with a one year contract for $500k. Baldeli's year on the 60 day DL counts as service time, but it's not like he was going to rob them blind in arbitration coming off a lost season.

The way I read this, it's really a 4 year deal with two team options that pull the TCV up to 33 million if they are exercised. That's a great deal for the D-Rays if true.

I understood a Repoz reference!

Bow before me, for I am your God!

How is Baldelli worth as much as Crawford?

Because it covers a different time period in their careers. Crawford signed his as a 2+ (non-arb eligible), so the first year of that deal is something like 500K I think. So eliminating that first year on Crawford's deal in order to compare apples to apples (i.e. same service years starting when both are 3+ arb eligible), Crawford's potential deal is really 5/32 versus Rocco's 6/33 from that point.

Rocco, what a great name.

Who has next?

I am thrilled at deal. Now, if we can only get a batting coach to work on plate selection.

Rocco Baldelli is the Italian Rick Manning

What was Rocco, a kangaroo or something?

Wallaby, I think.

Well, at least Rocco can now retire in the black mountain hills of Dakota...

As Jake Taylor mentioned, this contract isn't really equal to Crawford's. Figure that Baldelli should be an above-average center fielder in a couple seasons, though probably never a star, and it's a pretty good deal. He's the type of player that is going to get more in arbitration than he really deserves (due to BA, steals, position, etc.) so the ~$15 million he'll likely get for the first three seasons is pretty reasonable even if he doesn't develop as well as hoped. It's also low enough that he can be traded pretty easily if the Rays don't like his future or have someone better to replace him with.

As for his injuries, the TJ surgery is pretty unlikely to have any effect on him. The ACL is more worrisome but he's supposed to recover full function and was reportedly looking very good running at full speed and doing drills before he blew out his elbow. The only concern is post-recovery issues like Carlos Guillen had but thanks to the TJ surgery he'll have around seven months after his projected return date before he plays again. They probably aren't a significant concern.

it's really a 4 year deal with two team options that pull the TCV up to 33 million if they are exercised.

No -- it's 3 years guaranteed, with the other three being option years. I don't mind the deal all that much, but I would've like to see them deal Baldelli for some pitching.

I suppose it could still happen, of course.

“I’ll be a Devil Ray for a while,” Baldelli said

May God have mercy on your soul.