Tampa Bay wants Rockies closer

Posted: Sunday July 06, 2008 08:20AM ET

Brian Fuentes sat at his locker in the Rockies' clubhouse Saturday when his mugshot popped up during Fox's telecast of the Yankees-Red Sox game. Both teams have a need and interest in acquiring the reliever. 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

Buzz Meter

It's Hot!

Rank: 4

It's Not!

The NL West (NL Worst) could screw up the hopes of many teams deeming themselves buyers. Arizona is falling apart and at the moment and the whole division (even San Diego) still can cling to hope to win this division. There may not be too many sellers at this point in this terrible division, especially Colorado who has reeled off about five or six straight wins.

Report Offensive Comment

Well if it becomes a bidding war, Tampa will finish third in this sweepstakes.

Report Offensive Comment

Tampa Bay is the BEST team in the majors as of 7/6/08. Hats off to their tremendous performance so far this season !!!
Sincerely, RED SOX NATION

Report Offensive Comment

i'd say if it becomes a bidding war tampa wins. you're only giving up prospects, not cash. Tampa has one of the top 3 strongest farm systems in the majors

Report Offensive Comment

You can not, repeat can not call this a sweepstakes. I'm a huge LA Dodger fan, so I see this guy pitch on a regular basis ... decent at best. He's a lefty with a odd delivery, zero craft to his pitching. Unable to close the door a majority of the time and can't hold runners on ... definitely not the way a contender wants to go

Report Offensive Comment

I'd have to agree with Jake51. Pay a little more and pry Marte from the Pirates if you're looking for a LHP.

Report Offensive Comment

Fuentes is a pretty good lefty reliever. He has value.

Report Offensive Comment

The Rays don't need this guy. Anyone notice how dominant Grant Balfour has been. He's a natural closer with a brutal speedball. His ERA is 1.04 last I checked. I was at the game last night as he once again mowed down the line in order. The guy is the real deal.

Report Offensive Comment

Amen Xaa, Balfour is the real deal. Rockie fans wanna give away Fuentes for a six pack, thats how bad he is. I hope we dont trade for him. We have plenty of stud pitchers in our farm system anyways

Report Offensive Comment

Outbid, Tampa will be.

Report Offensive Comment

'The Rays don't need this guy. Anyone notice how dominant Grant Balfour has been. '

Yeah, Twins should have kept him and gotten rid of Rincon...now TB has Balfour and Rincon is gone anyway

Report Offensive Comment

in case that Tampa has missed it, the ROCKIES suck, and if they want to go from first to worst go ahead and get this guy, I am sure that the Yankee's won't mind..

Report Offensive Comment

From the Cellar to the Top...not a bad move for sure...Can't imagine the Rays hanging on though,,,

Report Offensive Comment
 

As a Rockies fan, I've seen Fuentes for a long time. He's certainly not the best closer in the majors, but overall he's a swing and miss guy who is going to save 4 out of every 5 chances. I think he'd be a really good pickup for a team as a lefty set-up guy, the vast majority of left handed hitters have no chance against his delivery. Hope the Rocks can get a good AA pitching prospect for him.

Report Offensive Comment

Add a comment

Remember to keep it clean. Bad words will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed. More Guidelines


or cancel
Stewart Mandel's College Football Challenge Game of the Week Challenge

Sign in or create an account to see Truth&Rumors about your favorite teams.

More Truth&Rumors