Eye on
3B Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
Background: Longoria is a Dirtbag, mined from the same Long Beach State soil as Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. The Rockies were positioned to draft Longoria with the second overall pick in 2006, but switched gears the night before, zeroing in on pitcher Greg Reynolds.
What’s up: Longoria, as Tulowitzki predicted in spring training, is the leading candidate for American League Rookie of the Year honors. He entered the weekend hitting .275 with 15 home runs and 50 RBIs, 19 of which have either tied the game or put the Rays ahead. He’s become a weekly Web Gems fixture on “Baseball Tonight,” throwing a ball while on his backside last week that even caught Tulowitzki’s eye. “A great play,” Tulo said. There was grousing in Rays’ camp when Longoria was sent down in spring training, viewed as a cost-cutting measure to slow down the kid’s clock for reaching salary arbitration. But Tampa erased those concerns by signing Longoria to a six-year, $17.5 million deal with club options after just six days in the big leagues.
What’s next: He should be an all-star. And in time, and he might make us all forget Eva Longoria.
Renck’s take: Longoria, 22, is this year’s Tulowitzki. He has helped changed the Rays’ culture. “I love him. This kid is the real deal,” Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley said. “He reminds me of Alex Rodriguez.” At the end of the day, Longoria is a winner. His life revolves around baseball and making his team better. So it’s no surprise that since the third baseman arrived the Rays are 47-27. When looking for reasons to believe in the Rays, start with the pitching and end with Evan Almighty.
At issue
When do you place a falling star in a minor-league galaxy?
What: Two prominent big leaguers, Philadelphia opening day starter Brett Myers and Braves Gold Glover Jeff Francoeur, were shipped to the minor leagues for major repair work.
When: The eye-widening moves occurred last week, with Myers heading to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs and Francoeur optioned to Double-A Mississippi. They were shocked, angry and disappointed, underscoring the dangers of this move. Myers is the first opening day starter to be sent down since Montreal’s Floyd Youmans in 1989. It provides compelling evidence of just how convenient Jeff Francis’ shoulder tightness was for the Rockies. It kept them from dealing with the awkward question of what do with him had he continued to slump. Myers accepted the assignment because the Phillies are winning, and, at some point, they are going to need him. Francoeur wasn’t as agreeable. He’s more Iron Man than Iron Pig, missing only two starts during the past three seasons. It won’t be easy correcting major swing problems in the minors, where he’s a reluctant tourist and will make it a good day for every pitcher who strikes him out.
Renck’s take: Regardless of what the talent evaluators of the two teams say, these decisions come with huge risks. What if they also fail in the minors, further shredding their confidence? That’s unlikely for Myers. He should be fine without the neon glare. He’s overhauling his delivery and a major-league mound is no place to be with your head under the hood. The question is whether he will ever buy into starting, given his Nickelback thirst to be a “Rockstar” closer. Francoeur suggested his demotion will impact his future relationship with the Braves. He wasn’t happy last winter when the Braves didn’t make a serious long-term contract offer. Both have to remember that they control attitude and effort. It makes no sense to pout. Show the club how ridiculous this move was through improved performance.
