Rays Fans – Get a Clue!!
So, Tampa Bay Rays fans – especially the one’s calling in to sports radio stations…get a grip, a reality check, something. At least 80% of the callers were saying and I quote, “I’m done with this team!” Seriously?? I can’t believe I am in the minority here supporting this team, but the Rays 2011 payroll (per USA Today) is $41,053,571 (and this includes the horrible signing of Johnny Damon of $5.25 Million)…2nd lowest in Major League Baseball, only above the useless Kansas City Royals. It is absolutely amazing that this team is only 7.5 games behind the Division leading Boston Red Sox and only 5.5 games behind the wildcard leading New York Yankees. Seriously Rays fans, take a step back and look at things realistically.
The New York Yankees 2011 payroll $202,689,028 – #1 payroll in the Majors
The Boston Red Sox 2011 payroll $161,762,475 – #3 payroll in the majors
Look at that again. The Rays trail the Red Sox by more than $120 Million and the Yankees by more than $160 Million…the Red Sox and Yankees spend 4-5 times the amount the Rays do and they are struggling to eliminate this team from playoff contention. Which fan base do you think should be frustrated and which fan base should be backing their organization 100%??
Fine…you think the Rays should spend more – I agree, but the stadium needs to be filled more than 20k-25,000 a night to make that happen. And please don’t tell me about stadium issues and blah blah blah. To be honest…I have been to The Trop and to be honest – I absolutely enjoyed myself. I wasn’t baking in 100 degree heat, the beer was cold, the dogs tasted great and every Rays player gives 100% every game (except for BJ Upton, of course…but obviously if BJ gives 100% 6o% of the time – that is ok with the organization).
I grew up watching the St. Louis Cardinals and I’m still a die-hard Redbirds fan…and I would give ANYTHING for the Cardinals to have GM Andrew Friedman and Manager Joe Maddon running the Cardinals organization rather than Mozeliak and Larussa.
Another thing Rays fans should be looking at. The Rays best player in franchise history, Carl Crawford, signed with the Boston Red Sox. Yes, that was his choice…but he didn’t HAVE to sign with a division rival…he was offered a huge contract from the Los Angeles Angels as well. The Rays closer from 2010, Rafael Soriano, also signed with a division rival, the New York Yankees. So the Red Sox add the Rays most dynamic player to an already sick lineup and they are still worrying about a team with a $41 Million Dollar payroll in late July.
Next thing that needs to be looked at. How do the Yankees and Red Sox farm system look. With the payroll the Rays have – I would say it is UNBELIEVABLE that they are still in this race. How would you like to be a Yankees fan and know at this point, if you make the playoffs with your $200 Million Dollar + payroll…your starting pitching IN THE PLAYOFFS with THAT PAYROLL after CC Sabathia is AJ Burnett, Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon and if he’s healthy, Phil Hughes. That to me, is the most embarrassing thing in Major League Baseball. The team with a $200+ Million Dollar payroll has one legitimate starting pitcher. ONE!!
The Rays have David Price (Ace)…and please don’t tell me he hasn’t been as dominant, blah, blah, blah – did you not see his performance last night? James Shields (Ace) and a hot trade commodity, Jeremy Hellickson (would already be a #2 on most teams in MLB).
Another thing…the Rays record is 52-45 while playing in the AL EAST!! They have to play the Red Sox & Yankees 18 times EACH year! How much better would the Rays record be if they were to play the Oakland A’s & the Seattle Mariners 18 times a year in the AL West or basically any other division in baseball? Are you all forgetting that??? On that note…Rays fans don’t come out and watch the Yankees and Red Sox…can you imagine if they had to play the A’s and Mariners 9 times each year…then how much lower would the Rays payroll have to be. If The Trop is filled – I guarantee the Rays would be in the mix for big time free agents in the offseason, heck, Carl Crawford would probably still be playing here. But, until The Trop is 75-80% filled…no one can complain about payroll. We should be patting this team on the back for even being competitive in the AL East. All anyone talked about at the beginning of 2011 was the Baltimore Orioles – and how are those 39 wins looking right now?? By the way…the O’s payroll – $ 85,304,038 (more than double the Rays).
This team is competitive with Evan Longoria having his worst year, but he is battling through foot issues. What other quality MLB bats are in this lineup that would start for other teams…BJ Upton, Ben Zobrist & maybe Casey Kotchman (who is having a career year). Matt Joyce would start in some places, but like I said – he is the worst All Star selection in the history of the All Star game. You do know Joyce’s average was .377 on June 1st!? He is a roll player that had one of the hottest month’s ever and he still only has 43 RBI’s hitting in an RBI spot in the order. There is a reason he hit .252, .188 & .241 from 2008-2010, respectively and had 25 career homeruns in his 3 seasons in the Majors. Joyce has 6 homeruns and 21 RBI’s outside the month of May. So, like I said, Joyce is a 4th outfielder at BEST on any other team in baseball and he hits 7th for 80% of teams. And no, Damon is too old and does not produce the way a DH needs to – so he is not a factor either.
The Rays are still in the race with their Shortstops being Reid Brignac & Elliot Johnson and they would be in AAA with any other organization. Their Catcher…don’t get me started. Sean Rodriguez is the second baseman. It is unbelievable that this team is within striking distance. But just like from 2008-2010 – I think making the playoffs with this team rather than “BUYING” your way into the playoffs is much more satisfying. From what I heard on sports radio – most fans think the Rays are more than a couple players away from being competitive in this division. Why? I know it won’t happen, but if this team would splurge in the offseason and just add 2 bats, Prince Fielder and Jose Reyes – and you add those sticks with this pitching staff – you don’t think the Rays are a contender for the AL East? You’re crazy? Will it happen – No! But it just shows that this team is not far away at all. And…I will say this – that kind of offseason splash has happened before – the Red Sox added Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford in the same offseason!
So, before you call in to another sports radio station and go off on this team – why not look at the positives at what Friedman and Maddon have done with the resources they have been given, rather than tearing them down and saying I don’t care anymore – the Buccaneers are back anyway!
Sorry Rays fans – It’s Time to Sell!
Unfortunately for the Tampa Bay Rays, they play in the AL East…which means their 50-43 record (which is good enough for 4th best in the American League and 7th best in Major League Baseball) is only good enough for 7 games back of the Division lead and 5 1/2 games back of the wildcard leading New York Yankees. So…it is time for GM Andrew Friedman to start getting the best possible deal he can for these players:
Johnny Damon, 37 years old and shouldn’t have been signed for the league minimum this past offseason, no less $5.25 Million. He is hitting .275 with embarrassing DH numbers of 9 homeruns and 41 RBI’s & a .322 OBP. Not good numbers for a DH and especially poor numbers for a lead off man…trade him for a bucket of batting practice balls ASAP and let the Desmond Jennings era begin when DJ gets healthy. Give Brandon Guyer a shot until then.
Kyle Farnsworth, 35 years old and is arguably having the best season of his career. Kyle is 3-1 with a 1.89 ERA with 27 strikeouts, only 7 walks & a 0.92 WHIP. A more than reasonable $2.6 Million salary for 2011 and a $3.3 Million option in 2012. But you sell a player when his stock is high…and Kyle’s stock is as high as it has ever been! Farnsworth pitched for the Yankees in 2006-2008, so he has experience of dealing with the pressure that comes with pitching for the Yankees. But I also see him possibly ending up with the Texas Rangers as insurance and a setup guy for Neftali Feliz.
James Shields & BJ Upton – Both are going to be very expensive, by Rays standards in 2012 – Shields goes up to $7 Million. So…with that said – I am going to throw something out there and I would really like to know your thoughts. What if the Rays send Shields, BJ and a prospect to the Texas Rangers for Rightfielder Nelson Cruz and 2nd Baseman Ian Kinsler? Look, I know it is unrealistic…but it does fit….the Rangers get an ace to pair with CJ Wilson and their lack of CF production improves and defense gets better immediately with BJ Upton. And to make this deal – I would add the #3 prospect in the Rays organization, starting pitcher Chris Archer, to get this deal done – heck, throw in Farnsworth too. How much better does this improve the Rays offense immediately.
If the Rays would make these moves above – their lineup could be
2B Kinsler
RF Ben Zobrist
3B Longoria
LF Cruz
1B Casey Kotchman – don’t trade him – great glove
Does it really matter after this? These 5 hitters will produce more than the 9 they have in the lineup now!
Yes, the loss of Shields hurts, but this team has Matt Moore more than ready and Jeremy Hellickson is already a #2 starting pitcher on 75% of starting staffs in Major League Baseball.
Other players that should be moved that may get the Rays a dozen Rawlings baseballs: Joel Peralta & Juan Cruz
J.P. Howell throws left handed and is horrible, but he throws left handed – so a contender would want him on their roster, because he throws left handed – even though he can’t get anyone out (but he can get thrown out by umpires), but he throws left handed!
Let us know what you think of these moves in the comment section of this post!
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Rays and Cardinals talking trade?
There are rumors flying that the Tampa Bay Rays and St. Louis Cardinals are in the midst of trade talks involving 24 year old Cardinals Centerfielder Colby Rasmus. The Cardinals are looking for pitching – and that could be in the starting rotation or the bullpen. And with the depth in the Rays organization – this may be a good match.
But this does bring up obvious questions.
#1. Does this mean the Rays are close or looking to move current CF BJ Upton?
It could. But you could also put Rasmus in Rightfield. Would any ball drop in the gaps if you have Sam Fuld in LF, Upton in CF & Rasmus in RF…those 3 would make the Rays pitching even better than it is already.
#2. If a trade for Rasmus happens – does that mean Johnny Damon or Matt Joyce are on the move?
You would definitely think so. Damon is on a 1 year deal and is way overpaid. Heck – if you can get a 42 round draft pick in the year 2024…do it! Joyce, per MLB contracts, is only making $426, 000 and his 1st year of arbitration starts next year and isn’t a free agent until 2016. That just doesn’t sound right to me – but let’s go with it. Look, I know Matt had a career year in the month of May…but he is a 4th outfielder at best. But, with the money strapped Rays, they have to keep running him out there and hope the blind squirrel can find a nut every once in a while. All I keep saying to myself about Joyce – “All-Star” LOL!!!
#3. Who would the Rays possibly trade to get Rasmus?
Before I jump into this question – I need to say this…I am a die-hard Cardinals and Rays fan (but I did grow up in St. Louis). But, dear Rays GM Andrew Friedman – DO NOT trade Matt Moore for Rasmus. You are saying no way they do that…well…crazy things happen when you are in the middle of a fight for a division title. Just ask the Atlanta Braves what they received in return on a trade deadline deal for Doyle Alexander…some minor leaguer named John Smoltz. Just sayin. I would even be okay with Chris Archer or Jake McGee, not Matt Moore. I think Archer is overrated…now McGee I like. But think about…how many shut down closers are there really in the Major Leagues? Just look at who starts the season as a closer for organizations and then look who finishes the season as the closer. I will bet at least 50% of MLB teams have changed closers at some point throughout the season. Mariano Rivera is an exception – very, very few rough patches while being a closer for 15-20 years.
I would love to see the Rays make a move like this. Rasmus has a manager in Tony Larussa that gives young players ZERO confidence – and in all honesty, I think Larussa may have ruined this top prospect’s career because of all the mind games he has played with the kid. With Maddon, Joe would run Rasmus out there everyday without question. Plus, Maddon will praise Colby when he does something right and that may be all Rasmus needs to become the star all the scouts thought he was going to be.
Derek Jeter’s 3000th hit got me thinking about the Rays Record Book
July 9th, 2011 will go down as one of the most special days in New York Yankees history, as well as Major League baseball history. Derek Jeter got his 3000th hit, a homerun, off of Tampa Bay Rays All-Star Starting Pitcher David Price. Jeter went 5 for 5 for the game, matching only Houston Astros Craig Biggio as the only 2 players to get 5 hits in the same game they got their 3000th hit. Besides the 3000th hit by Jeter, he also had a double, 3 singles and his last hit, a single drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 8th inning to lead the Yankees to a 5-4 win. But the huge day by Jeter got me thinking about the Rays record book.
I’m sure most Rays fans can name the player who has the most hits in a Tampa uniform…he is now a trader/enemy – Carl Crawford. Crawford had 1480 hits in his Rays career. In fact, Crawford holds almost all offensive categories for the Rays, including batting average (.296), doubles (215), triples (105), RBI’s (592) & stolen bases (409). But, Rays fans, who has the 2nd most hits in franchise history? Answer later in the post.
BJ Upton has the 3rd most hits in Rays history with 705, Fred McGriff has 603 hits to sit in 4th place in team history and Julio Lugo rounds out the top 5 with 550. JULIO LUGO!!?? How sad was this franchise? Current players of note…Evan Longoria sits in 8th place with 508 hits and Ben Zobrist in 10th with 473 hits. Zobrist is already 30 (a late bllomer) so 3000 hits would be out of the question for him, but Longoria has a shot. But a couple things would need to happen…Evan would have to stay healthy, which he is struggling to do early in his career and that is not a good sign as you get older. Second, he will have to hit for a higher average, but I still believe that is on the front office. They need to acquire a bat who can protect your franchise player/hitter, just like the St. Louis Cardinals did a couple years ago. The Cardinals traded for Matt Holliday to protect Albert Pujols and then also signed Holliday to a long term deal. I completely agreed with the Rays not offering Carl Crawford the kind of money the Boston Red Sox offered. Crawford is a speed guy and at 29…well – read between the lines.
Let’s move on to the sexy category, homeruns. Carlos Pena is the franchise leader in homeruns with 144 (I think Pena had 146 hits in his career with the Rays…he is the Dave Kingman of this generation). Aubrey Huff sits in 2nd with 128, Crawford is 3rd with 104, McGriff with 99 is in 4th and then Longoria is in 5th with 93. Barring injury, Longoria will have the 3rd most homeruns by the end of 2011 and then could possibly be the Rays all time leader in homeruns by some point during the 2012 season. I don’t think 3000 hits is realistic for Longo, but 400-500 homeruns definitely is a possibility as long as he stays with the Rays – and heck, if Tampa even stays in existence.
Answer to the trivia question: Aubrey Huff
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Rays All-Star Vote Update
Major League Baseball released their most recent count of All-Star voting today and unless there are tons of Tampa Bay Rays fans out there that are going to stuff the ballot, the Rays will not have 1 field player among the All-Stars this year. Usually Evan Longoria is a gimme, but he has struggled most of the 2011 season and trails Alex Rodriguez in the vote for starting 3rd Baseman by 1.25 million votes. And when you go around the diamond, there really isn’t any Rays that are deserving to be an All-Star – EXCEPT for whoever toes the rubber every night. I’m sure most of you out there (assuming you are a Rays fan while reading this) think Matt Joyce is deserving with his .312 batting average and 10 homers and 36 RBI’s. But, unfortunately, that gets you an atta boy. Yes, Joyce did CARRY this team through the month of May & that is an understatement, but a 1 month hot streak does not get you in the All Star game.
And then there is Ben Zobrist who plays every position on the field, heck he is probably the Head Athletic Trainer AND the Team Doctor. He probably is the most versatile player in the Majors, but versatility will not get you to the Mid Summer Classic either. Zobrist is hitting .268 with 9 homers and 38 RBI’s – but unfortunately for him and the Rays – I think he did all of that in a doubleheader earlier in the year. BJ Upton is hitting .218, nuff said there.
Now what is more embarrassing…that Johnny Damon is 5th in the DH voting (how sad are the DH’s in the AL if JD is the 5th best DH) or that Jorge Posada is in 3rd…pick your poison. Pretty much if you voted for either of these 2, your All-Star voting license should be suspended for life. Major League Baseball should research anyone’s email address that voted for Damon and/or Posada and they should eliminate them from the system!
Like I have been saying since I took over this blog a long time ago (what was it…Saturday or Sunday) – it is absolutely incredible that Rays Manager Joe Maddon has this team at 40-33. Seriously – 1 word – HOW?????
Obviously Starting Pitcher James Shields is on the team and if the report that came out today is true that Justin Verlander will not pitch in the All-Star game – then Shields may be the starter. Shields may have deserved it anyway, but Verlander is the most dominant pitcher in baseball right now and he threw a no-hitter in the 1st half. And truth be told, Shields is just as well deserving. James has 13 quality starts in his 15 starts, a record of 7-4 with a 2.40 ERA, 108 K’s and just about a 5:1 K:BB ratio. Oh yea- and 5 complete games. Yes – you read that right FIVE!!! That just doesn’t happen before the All-Star break anymore unless your name is Doc and you pitch of the Philadelphia Phillies. Just filthy. And unless Jeremy Hellickson or David Price throw back to back Complete Game Shutouts…Shields will be the only Rays representative for this year’s All-Star game in Arizona. Kyle Farnsworth may get a look, but it is just doubtful to me that he gets in.
Here is the American League All-Star Balloting as of June 21st, 2011
CATCHER
Russell Martin, Yankees: 2,226,797
Alex Avila, Tigers: 1,730,511
Joe Mauer, Twins: 1,341,474
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Red Sox: 1,135,617
Yorvit Torrealba, Rangers: 980,697
FIRST BASE
Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox: 3,017,960
Mark Teixeira, Yankees: 2,407,665
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: 1,771,893
Mitch Moreland, Rangers: 890,468
Paul Konerko, White Sox: 676,194
SECOND BASE
Robinson Cano, Yankees: 3,664,498
Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox: 2,239,172
Ian Kinsler, Rangers: 1,452,880
Orlando Cabrera, Indians: 910,941
Ben Zobrist, Rays: 828,771
THIRD BASE
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: 2,876,537
Adrian Beltre, Rangers: 2,307,380
Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox: 2,025,438
Evan Longoria, Rays: 1,639,405
Brandon Inge, Tigers: 490,734
SHORTSTOP
Derek Jeter, Yankees: 2,654,040
Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians: 2,242,157
Elvis Andrus, Rangers: 1,513,929
Jhonny Peralta, Tigers: 875,371
Marco Scutaro, Red Sox: 813,888
DESIGNATED HITTER
David Ortiz, Red Sox: 3,116,578
Michael Young, Rangers: 1,760,195
Jorge Posada, Yankees: 1,120,830
Victor Martinez, Tigers: 932,711
Johnny Damon, Rays: 864,535
OUTFIELD
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: 4,156,940
Curtis Granderson, Yankees: 3,473,227
Josh Hamilton, Rangers: 2,400,408
Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox: 2,249,323
Carl Crawford, Red Sox: 1,789,097
Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners: 1,537,101
Nelson Cruz, Rangers: 1,462,426
Nick Swisher, Yankees: 1,271,843
Brett Gardner, Yankees: 1,120,179
J.D. Drew, Red Sox: 1,112,720
Matt Joyce, Rays: 1,038,098
Jeff Francoeur, Royals: 906,983
Grady Sizemore, Indians: 867,281
David Murphy, Rangers: 785,630
Shin-Soo Choo, Indians: 764,817
So, Mr. Shields, have a blast at your 1st All-Star game appearance…and if you need someone to work your video recorder for you so you can take everything in – I AM THERE for ya man!!
