Astros & Rays
Submitted by: Deathstarchris88
Astros
| Name | Age | Level | P1 | P2 | Availability | Years | AFV | Salary | Surplus | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colton Ledbetter | 22 | Minors | OF | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7.3 | 5.9 | 7.3 | 8.8 |
Total Value:
7.3
Rays
| Name | Age | Level | P1 | P2 | Availability | Years | AFV | Salary | Surplus | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forrest Whitley | 25 | Majors | SP | 5 | 16.1 | 11.8 | 4.2 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 5.1 |
Total Value:
4.2
Comments
6
I don’t see the benefit of the Rays adding Whitley. The Rays have a 6 man rotation with several promising arms in AAA. Where would Whitley fit? He’s out of option but wouldn’t make the Rays’ rotation, so that just leaves the Pen and the Rays have a good Pen already. Whitley is a bad fit for the Rays.
Ok, but of the 6 starters, McClanny, Ras and Littell are making the rotation on OD. Whitley is out of options, so he has to make the OD rotation too. That puts 2 of Baz, Bradley and Pep in Durham, possibly for the year. That really doesn’t work, as all three have better potential than Littell and Whitley. Frankly, I think injuries have ruined Whitley as a starter. Maybe he can find success as a reliever, as that was his role last year (in the minors). Rays don’t really need another out of options reliever though.
Oh I don't think he's making the rotation out the gate, he'd be like Litell and Springs that would get stretched out in the middle of the season after an injury, Litell would be gone by the allstar break too, I think there'd be room for Whitley as a multi inning relievers to start the year which they could use more of, right now I think there's 2 rule 5 guys on the roster plus guys like Waguespack, Sulser, and Orze so 40 man spot wouldn't be hard just making the actual roster would be, I'm not saying it would be a slam dunk but if there was a season to try it then 2025 would probably be it, I'd love to see them pick up some fixer uppers this year and do another midway sell off to really thicken the MiLB talent as they get ready for the next window to open up.
Well, if that's the plan, then ok. Bring him in to pitch from the Pen and stretch him out if needed or if he shows promise. It's likely the Rays don't contend this year and that they trade one or two starters at the Deadline. They should have starting spots available after July, even if everyone stays healthy. I expect Boyle and Curet to be legit options for the Rays' 2026 rotation, and that means we probably see both in 2025 at some point. They both have elite stuff. So while I don't think Whitley is needed, if the Rays like him and want to take a flier on him, then so be it. They can still squeeze in time in the rotation for Whitley if they really like him. That said, Ledbetter has looked good in the minors (back to back 130 wRC+ campaigns) and he still has a couple years before Rule 5. I'd want to give up someone else for Whitley.
Yea that's kind of a big issue is cause the biggest weakness in TB system would have to be outfielders, I kind of have a feeling Litell gets moved in ST cause I don't see them sending both Pepoit and Bradley to AAA or the pen, Taj has nothing left to prove so he has to be in the rotation at this point, even though I think Pep is better he could be lights out as a multi inning reliever til the first injury or trade happens.
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Look at it from this side, right now TB has 6 starters but as you know injuries and ineffectiveness also plays into the season, I don't see any mlb starters in AAA other than Seymour but to me he's like Andy Sonnanstine or Josh Fleming to me so I don't really count them, Litell will most likely be traded at some point, so then you have Boyle and Whitley battling for a spot which could be a lot of fun, both 6'7" with good stuff in their late 20's, starting to sound like Glasnow, Rasmussen, Springs, Litell, etc... I'd definitely gamble a roster spot on a guy like that on a team with a history of converting relievers back into starters especially with his price tag and amount of team control.