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Rays lead teams courting Fuentes

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The Marlins, Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Phillies, A's, Cubs, Cardinals, and Rays all have a need and have expressed interest in acquiring Colorado reliever Brian Fuentes. But Tampa Bay is preparing to make the most aggressive play for the Rockies' closer, according to a major-league source. The Rays had a scout at Coors Field again Saturday. Opposing executives who have spoken with Tampa Bay say the Rays are determined to bolster their bullpen in an attempt to create separation between them and the Red Sox.

Denver Post

Brian Fuentes, AP Brian Fuentes, AP
July 7, 2008  03:15 PM ET

The Rays would be my bet too. But who will they give up?

July 7, 2008  04:54 PM ET

Fuentes could be this year's Eric Gagne.....the clutch pick up that almost blows his team's chance. He could just as easily get lit up by AL lineups as he could be effective.

July 7, 2008  05:04 PM ET

Good, I hope he gets traded. He's no good anymore. He used to be a 2-3 K an inning guy. Now, he's lucky if he gets that many in a week. He's scared to throw his dynamite slider to righties, so they can just sit fastball or change-up. He used to throw that back-foot slider a ton, and that's what made him effective. Taylor Buchholz should be the Rox closer. Maybe Clint Hurdle will make that easy choice if they deal Tito (Brain Fuentes).

July 7, 2008  05:11 PM ET

Outbid, the Rays will be.

July 7, 2008  05:11 PM ET

I have foreseen it.

July 7, 2008  05:11 PM ET

Follow the money, he will.

July 7, 2008  05:27 PM ET

"Now he's lucky if he gets that many in a week"? Last I checked he had a 1-2-3 inning on Saturday night with 3k's....

July 7, 2008  06:40 PM ET

wtnelson:

you meant Clay, not Taylor, but all the same, I dont watch Fuentes. But with Marmol suddenly loosing his nasty stuff momentarily, we could use a pick-me-up.

July 7, 2008  07:15 PM ET

Pick me up? No pick me up you **** guy.

July 7, 2008  11:33 PM ET

The question is: What will the Rox get in return? I don't know a lot about the Rays' farm system, but surely the Rox will want some quality in return. That would point toward a deal with a team with some top prospects. What does TB have?

July 7, 2008  11:50 PM ET

wtnelson - why is Fuentes scared to throw the slider to righties?

July 7, 2008  11:51 PM ET

UltimateCubfan24:

Wrong, sir (or ma'am, whichever you are). I meant Taylor. Taylor Buchholz pitches for the Rox, Clay Buchholz pitches for the Sox.

lccsmu:

Right, last time he had a good outing, and tonight he had a good outing. You can't judge a season on 2 outings. His strikeouts are way down this year and last year from what they have been, mostly because he's gone away from throwing the slider to right-handed batters. When he does throw it, which is rare now, he is still very effective. I am the biggest Rockies fan anyone will ever meet. I never miss a game. I watch or listen to every single one, unless I am out of town. I promise you that I know what I am talking about. Fuentes was very good for a number of years, but he needs a change of scenery.

July 7, 2008  11:53 PM ET

TenRingsSTL:

He is scared to throw it because he'll hit guys in the back foot on occasion. He had lost command of it for a time last year, right before he lost the closer's job, and he hit a lot of guys. He seems to have gained that command back, but he's still leery about throwing it.

July 8, 2008  01:10 AM ET

I really don't understand why the Phillies are looking to pick up another reliever. Theyve locked up Lidge, and if they were to add another solid starter they could move Myers back to the bullpen where he might actually get back to form.

July 8, 2008  03:40 AM ET

The Rays don't need anymore help !!! They are "seperating" themselve quite nicely from my beloved Red Sox without Fuentes !!!
Sincerely, A "Scared" member of RED SOX NATION

July 8, 2008  11:03 AM ET

Thanks for the info, wtnelson......very interesting. So you don't think he's closer material at this point?

July 8, 2008  01:12 PM ET

No, I don't think so. I think he's better as a setup guy when the whole game isn't riding on him.

July 8, 2008  02:16 PM ET

Well. The Cards need plenty of that, especially from the left side. I'd still take him in STL, but I imagine we will get outbid for his services.

July 8, 2008  05:08 PM ET

Really, though, I think that the Cards aren't a good trading partner at this point for the Rockies. You guys seem to have exactly what we have: a surplus of outfielders. I would like to see the Rockies package a few guys and bring in a starter to go with Cook, Francis, and Jimenez, i.e. Brad Hawpe, Brian Fuentes, and Yorvit Torrealba.

 
July 8, 2008  11:57 PM ET

Pick me up? No pick me up you **** guy.
Weapon X | 07/07/08, 07:15 PM
Report Offensive Comment

What the h.e.l.l is your deal?


and wtnelson:

my bad, idk where my head was at.

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