Insider: Rays Get Their DH in Luke Scott
Although it will not become official until sometime tomorrow, the Tampa Bay Rays have found their new designated hitter. After a winter’s long search, the team has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with former Baltimore Oriole Luke Scott. Salary figures have not been released, but with a limited budget one would guess the guarantee will not be outrageous and there could be incentives tied to plate appearances. The deal does include an option for the 2013 season. Last month, I labeled Scott as an “ideal target” for the Rays.
Here is a little bit more from that article:
A career .264/.349/.494 hitter, Scott missed significant time in 2011 due to a variety of ailments. The most serious – a torn labrum in his shoulder – ended his season prematurely after just 64 games.
Despite the injury, Scott still displayed good power; his most attractive attribute. When healthy, he is a near lock for 50 extra-base hits and is a notorious fastball killer. He has decent plate discipline with above-average walk rates, but will take the occasional swing on a pitch out of the zone. As a left-handed power bat, he feasts on right-handed pitching (.859 OPS); however, unlike most players with his profile, he is far from useless against southpaws (.791).
Scott is a below-average baserunner and defender. That said, in small doses he can play passible defense at first base and left field. Like Johnny Damon last season, he would give Joe Maddon some flexibility to move players around the diamond if the situation calls for it.
Because of his bat, platoon neutrality, and ability to play multiple positions, Scott is an ideal target for the Rays. He would fill positions of need – most notably first base and designated hitter – and is American League East tested.
The biggest question for Scott is health. Reports say he is ahead of schedule in the rehab of his surgically repaired shoulder and should be ready for opening day. He has not begun throwing, but as the team’s primary DH he will not need to do much of that. The Rays should have a good idea on the condition of his shoulder as their medical director Dr. James Andrews performed Scott’s surgery in July. In addition to the shoulder, he underwent LASIK eye surgery in August.
A healthy Scott would provide Tampa Bay with the offensive upgrade Andrew Friedman has spent the offseason searching for. His average should settle in the .260-.270 area with solid walk rates, boosting his on-base percentage. His biggest asset – power – would be a welcomed addition to a team lacking punch. Even though it looks like most of his time will come at DH, he could see some time at first base and roam the outfield on occasion
Steve Slowinski of Fangraphs.com raises a valid point regarding Scott’s home/road splits as well as the challenges of moving from a left-handed hitter’s park like Camden Yards to the left-handed dead zone known as Tropicana Field. Park factors are real and should be considered. And it is almost certain the Rays did their due diligence in this area during their pursuit of Scott; however, to determine the impact it is not an exact science.
Though Scott could see his power depressed at the Trop, some of that may be offset by gaining a shorter porch in right field. Instead of the 25-foot wall he has dealt with in Camden Yards, he will be aiming at the nine-and-a-half foot right-field wall at the Trop. The Florida Native also enjoys hitting the ball to the right of center field in a placethat Rays’ Manager Joe Maddon commonly refers to as “right central.” This is arguably one of the toughest places to hit a home run at Tropicana Field. Meanwhile, if some of those potential home runs fall as doubles – especially with runners on base – it would not be the worst possible outcome. Once again, the park may be a factor. But we will not know how much - if any -until a later date.
With the guaranteed portion of the contract unknown, it is hard to say how good of a deal the Rays are getting. Meanwhile, a healthy Luke Scott provides the club with a significant source of power. Alongside Evan Longoria and Matt Joyce, Scott gives the Rays a formidable middle of the order which has the ability to succeed versus the high level of competition in the AL East.
Tags: Tampa Bay Rays
