Russ Canzler DFA's by Rays

[Born4RF]

Russ Canzler was DFA'd by da' Rays today to make room for x-Bucco Jeff Keppinger (swapped for Jose Batista, that was a GR8 deal huh?).   If you like the Hague you have to love this guy and at 26 he is the perfect candidate to be this years GI Jones if you bring him in on a NRI deal with a legit shot at the righty/1B platoon job:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=canzle001rus

Take everything you like about Hague and add 10%.  OPS of 938 and 930 past two seasons including first year at AAA in '11.    Got a cup o' joe with the Rays in Sept but clearly they are stacking the deck for a last run on a budget so he lost his roster spot.    Played a decent amt. of 3B and RF in minors but should be a 1B in this league.  With Nick Evans and Hague gives us some numbers to throw at 1B without taking up roster space.

Interesting.   Perhaps the Cabrera signing indicates NH has woken up from his winter hibernation.

[Rutang]

Bad K rate last year, and almost a .400 BABIP.  If the Bucs claimed him off waivers, they would have to put him on the 40 man, correct?  He has the versatility (played RF, 1B and 3B last year AAA).

[PMike]

Interestingly, his stats have gotten better as he reached higher levels.  Naturally, he is older (and old for AAA).  The comparison to Garrett Jones seems like an appropriate one.

[Chewie]

Anyone doubt he'd probably put up better numbers than Pedro if we just stuck him @ 3B ?

Let's go for the all-AAAA team in 2012!

[Chewie]

http://www2.tbo.com/news/rays/2012/jan/31/1/rays-deal-russ-canzler-to-indians-for-cash-ar-353303/

Traded to the Indians for cash considerations.

[Born4RF]

http://www2.tbo.com/news/rays/2012/jan/31/1/rays-deal-russ-canzler-to-indians-for-cash-ar-353303/

Traded to the Indians for cash considerations.

Good p/up for the Indians.   I wouldn't necessarily wanted to give up a roster spot for him, which is why the Rays DFA's him, but if a team has a glaring hole at 1B he would be good, free spackle to throw on it.   Apparently our FO thinks MEGA-Heeeeeee already provides that insurance.   We'll see.