What happened to him last yearNavarro hit

Talbot has a chance to win a roster spot with the Indians in 2010. Original PostAccording to the Tampa Bay Rays official site, the Rays have acquired catcher Kelly Shoppach from the Cleveland Indians for the vaunted Player To Be Named Later or “PTBNL” as us cool kids say.I really like this pick up for the Rays.I have always been a Shoppach fan going back to his days with the Boston Red Sox. I thought the Red Sox were going to re-acquire him this offseason, but it was not meant to be.The Rays have been looking for a catcher because Gregg Zaun is a free agent and Dioner Navarro was completely useless last year Talk about a World Series hangover. What happened to him last yearNavarro hit .295 with a .757 OPS and was an All Star in 2008, but in 2009, he reverted back to his 2006 and 2007 form by hitting a pathetic .218 with a .583 OPS.Shoppach’s career has taken a similar path as Navarro’s.

In 2009, Shoppach suffered through injuries and had a down year hitting only .214 with a .734 OPS in 58 games.This trade gives the Rays a couple of options. The Rays could now let Navarro go instead of offering him arbitration by the December 12 deadline and re-sign Zaun. With Shoppach arbitration eligible as well, I believe the Rays will go with the first option.If you were to ask me, Shoppach is a much better candidate to have a bounce back year than Navarro.For the Indians, they will get a back player for a player who was probably going to be non-tendered in a couple of weeks, so it’s not a bad deal for them.With Lou Marson and top prospect Carlos Santana ready to take over the catching duties in the future, Shoppach was expendable.You can follow The Ghost of Moonlight Graham on Twitter theghostofmlg This article is also featured on The Ghost of Moonlight Graham. Over 500 Chinese Restaurateurs Gather In Las Vegas To Attend The 5th AnnualTop 100 Chinese Restaurants in the USA Awards ShowEvent Host, Chef Martin Yan Announces 2008 WinnersLAS VEGAS, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ Over 500 Chineserestaurateurs from all over the nation gathered in Las Vegas on January 5 atthe Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino to attend the 5th Annual Top 100 ChineseRestaurants in the USA Awards Show & Conference.Organized by Chinese Restaurant News, the Top 100 award show was hosted byMaster Chef Martin Yan and Co-Emceed by Theresa Lin and Derek Uehara.

Theevent was supported by National Restaurant Association and theHealthydiningfinder Key sponsors included Lee Kum Kee, U.S. BankcardServices, Inc., and the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. Event highlights include an appearance by MayorOscar Goodman who welcomed the winners to Vegas and performed a culinary demowith Chef Martin Yan, Chinese zodiac food carving display by Award winningFood sculptor, Jimmy Zhang, the Community Award of Excellence presented to theAsian Chefs Association, and the Lifetime Achievement of Excellence Award toMartin Yan presented by Bob Ansara, Director Emeritus, National RestaurantsAssociation.The Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in USA Award is a national event thatstrives to recognize, cultivate and preserve the best in Chinese cuisinestandards and excellence. This special event awarded the Top 100 restaurantsin ten categories.