B.J. UPTON UPDATE THREAD When will he reach the Majors?

[MyAddidas]

Tampa brass may want to save him so he can have a run at Rookie of the Year next year.

[hybrid]

Tampa brass may want to save him so he can have a run at Rookie of the Year next year.

Honestly, don't see how that makes any sense. There is no way at all, they will hold him down that long to where he will still qualify as a prospect next year.

[DaQ]

The DRays dropped Paul Abbott the other day - does that mean anything?

[hybrid]

They called up Braz and Colome, so no it doesn't mean anything for Upton. B.J. had some shoulder soreness in last nights game during an at bat, nothing major at all thank god, but he will sit out a game. I believe the Rays are mainly keeping him down long enough so he doesn't become avialable for arbitration a year early, besides work on his defense (2 errors in his last 19 games).

[thehat]

Hybrid nailed this one on the button. Saving the one year as far as the off the field stuff goes is absolutely the smart move for TB. It's not like they're going to suddenly challenge for the playoffs if they bring him up now. Leave him where he is till August if they can is the game plan, as that guarantees the Rays of controlling him for another full season down the road.

[warrick95]

Hybrid nailed this one on the button. Saving the one year as far as the off the field stuff goes is absolutely the smart move for TB. It's not like they're going to suddenly challenge for the playoffs if they bring him up now. Leave him where he is till August if they can is the game plan, as that guarantees the Rays of controlling him for another full season down the road.

Interesting. Great point hybrid. But, Lamar has made plenty of questionable moves over his tenure. What would give for him not to make another one?

You mean until September for September callups, right? If he's called up in SEP, he's arbitration eligible a year later, correct, instead of being called up now?

[thehat]

Actually, I think the callup date as far as the arbitration year is concerned is in August sometime. It's not the same as the expanded roster 9/1 date.

[hybrid]

This should help you some. It's called being a "super-two".

When does a player become eligible for salary arbitration?

A player with three or more years of service, but less than six years, may file for salary arbitration. In addition, a player can be classified as a "Super-Two" and be eligible for arbitration with less than three years of service. A player with at least two but less than three years of Major League service shall be eligible for salary arbitration if he has accumulated at least 86 days of service during the immediately preceding season and he ranks in the top seventeen percent in total service in the class of Players who have at least two but less than three years of Major League service, however accumulated, but with at least 86 days of service accumulated during the immediately preceding season.

How does a player qualify as a "super-two"?

In order to qualify as a “super-two” player, a player must have accumulated at least 86 days of major league service in the previous season, and be among the top 17 percent in total major league service of all players between two and three years of major league service. The “super-two” distinction does not take ability or production into account.

So basically if they want to be sure he can't be a "super-two", management needs to make sure he plays in less then 86 major league games.

[warrick95]

Wow, thanks for the info man. Never knew that. Now, are you sure that's 86 games and not 86 days, including off days?

[acsguitar]

I used to watch upton play in Charleston, S.C. he was pretty good but I didn't get a great vibe from him...If i remember correctly he K's alot...but maybee im wrong