The Hardball Times -- Cork Gaines

The Hardball Times -- Cork Gaines http://www.hardballtimes.com/main Baseball. Insight. Daily. en studes@hardballtimes.com Copyright 2013 2013-06-18T08:13:15+00:00 The good, the bad and the telling http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/the-good-the-bad-and-the-telling/ http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/the-good-the-bad-and-the-telling/#When:05:26:15

The good

The World Series was gravy: It is difficult on the day after losing the World Series to look at the big picture. In no way do we want to take an appearance in the World Series for granted and we do understand how difficult it will be to get back. But if we are going to look for a positive spin, it is that the Rays were ahead of schedule in 2008. ]

Prior to the season several models projected the Rays to win 82 games (range: 77-87). This is a team that was built to win in 2009 and 2010. Very few of even the most diehard fans even dreamed of a trip to the World Series. And here we sit with the Rays as champions of the American League and the team can only get better next season. Eric Hinske is the only free agent and the rotation will add David Price. The Red Sox and Yankees will be better in 2009, but so will the Rays.

Rocco Baldelli: Baldelli only had seven plate appearances in the World Series and was only on base two times, but considering where he was at the beginning of the season, the home run in Game 5 to tie the game was the most satisfying at bat of the series for us.

David Price: King David now has 10 major league appearances. Half were in the pennant race, and the other half in the playoffs. He recorded the final four outs against the Red Sox in Game 7 of the ALCS and the final seven outs of the Rays only win in the World Series. Price will enter the rotation in 2009. He will not face anything in the regular season next year that will compare to what he has already experienced.

The bad

The big ALCS letdown: It would have been nice if the Rays showed up for the World Series, but unfortunately we were subjected to the Devil Rays. This was a team we had not seen since 2007 and the only explanation is a letdown after beating the Red Sox. The ALCS was such a circus from beginning to end, going a full seven games. There was never the same level of intensity in the World Series. I don’t know if the Rays just expected to walk over the Phillies or if the ALCS just left them exhausted. Either way, this was not the same team we watched all season.

This can best be exemplified by Dioner Navarro’s error in game 3. After being down 4-1 late, the Rays battled back to tie the game in the 8th. At that point you gotta find a way to win the game. With a runner on first and no outs, Grant Balfour threw a pitch to the backstop that bounced all the way back to Navarro. Unable to get into proper throwing position, Navarro rushed a throw that went into center field. Navarro cannot let a runner go from first to third with no outs. He would have never tried to make that play in the regular season.

The big bats went cold: Evan Longoria and Carlos Pena started the World Series 0-29 with 15 strikeouts in the first four games.

Scott Kazmir out of the gate: In his two starts, Kazmir threw 48 pitches and gave up four runs in the first inning. After the first inning Kazmir only allowed one run in eight innings. But the 48 pitches in the first inning kept Kazmir from working late in games pitching a total of 10 innings in his two starts.

Phillies lead-off hitters: Phillies hitters leading off an inning were on base 23 times in 43 plate appearances (.535 OBP) and scored 10 of the Phillies’ 24 runs.

Too many external factors: It would have been nice if the Rays got to play in a World Series with decent umpiring. It would have been nice if the Rays would have been able to play game 3 before their bed time. It would have been nice if the Rays could have played nine innings in Game 5, uninterrupted and without a monsoon. We would have liked to see that series. We don't know if the Rays would have won, but we would have liked their chances.

The telling

It is not just another series: Joe Maddon always wants his players to approach each game in the same manner, whether it is mid-May or the end of October. Unfortunately he managed the World Series the same way. Maddon loves relief pitchers that are able to come into a game, end an inning and go back out the next inning. This was a strength of the bullpen during the regular season when the Rays played most days.

Unfortunately during the World Series, Maddon repeatedly got caught leaving a pitcher in the game too long. The most glaring example is letting JP Howell hit in the seventh inning of game 5 despite having plenty of well-rested arms left in the bullpen, including David Price. Maddon also made some curious decisions in right field. While Gabe Gross was the most-days right fielder in the second half of the season, Maddon started three different players during the World Series. Prior to Baldelli’s home run at the end of game 5, that group was 1-13 with two walks.

The Trop ain’t so bad: Baseball is not meant to be played in monsoons or 40-degree weather or start at 10:00 at night. That never happens at The Trop.

Not the ’07 Rockies: Getting back to the playoffs in 2009 will not be easy in the AL East, but this will still be a good team. This Rays squad led the toughest division in baseball most of the season and finally ran out of steam in the World Series. Most of the team is back next year and some pieces will be added. Unlike the ’07 Rockies, you better get used to the Rays playing meaningful games at the end of September and into October.

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The heart of the order for the Rays carried the offense in the ALCS...Can they keep it up?

After going 2-13 with no RBIs in the first game, batters two through five in the batting order (BJ Upton, Carlos Pena, Evan Longoria and Carl Crawford) hit .405/.474/.957 in the next four games while the team went 3-1. Upton and Crawford are the biggest surprises. Upton was unable to attack pitches with his shoulder injury most of the season, but now appears as though he has put that behind him. Crawford looks like a guy that is desperate to prove that he is still important. Longoria and Pena? Those guys are just awesome... Get used to it.

Second Inning (Headlines)…
The Rays played nine games this season in a NL park without the DH...What can we learn from those games?

The Rays were last in baseball with 23 sacrifices. In nine games in NL parks, the Rays employed the sacrifice bunt three times. In DH-games the Rays sac bunted once every 7.7 games. So Papa Joe does tend to get a bit more Nationalistic without the DH. The other question is what Joe Maddon will do with the lineup without a DH in Philly. Maddon uses a platoon system at right field and DH. Rocco Baldelli and Gabe Gross are the right fielders with Willy Aybar and Cliff Floyd at DH. Our guess is that will not change with Aybar and Floyd sitting in Philadelphia. Floyd is not a big loss, but Aybar has been a huge bat in September and the postseason. His bat will be missed... More sac bunts and less Aybar in Philly.

Third Inning (Headlines)…
The Phillies feature two lefties in their rotation and the Rays struggle against lefties... Are they in trouble?

During the regular season the Rays struggled against lefties going 40-41 against left-handed starters. Many thought the Rays needed to add a right-handed bat before the trading deadline. But in the postseason, the Rays are now 3-1 against lefties. In addition to the historic runs by Upton and Longoria, a big reason for the new found success against lefties is the emergence of Baldelli and Aybar as legitimate offensive threats. Against lefties, Joe Maddon has gone with Baldelli in right and Aybar at DH. In the ALCS, Baldelli and Aybar hit a combined 10-25 (.400) with 3 home runs and 10 RBIs (1.223 OPS)... Rays were 2-0 against Jon Lester.

Fourth Inning (Headlines)…
David Price shut down the Red Sox for a four-out save in game seven of the ALCS... Who is going to close for the Rays in the World Series?

Since Troy Percival went on the DL, Maddon has gone closer-by-committee, with Dan Wheeler receiving the majority of the save opportunities. But after Wheeler struggled during the comeback in game five, Maddon chose to go with Wheeler early in game seven and then brought David Price in for the final four outs. Maddon will still go closer-by-committee in the World Series, with an eye towards matchups, but don’t be surprised to see Price in the ninth inning during the World Series. But that means less to Papa Joe that the "key outs" of the seventh and 8th inning... Whoever is left over after the seventh and eighth innings.

Fifth Inning (Headlines)...
Scott Kazmir struggled down the stretch for the Rays but was solid in his last start in the ALCS...Which Kazmir can we expect in the World Series?

In September and his first start of the postseason, Kazmir seemed to be struggling mentally. In many of his recent starts he seemed more worried about his mechanics than the batter. When Joe Maddon moved Kid K up to game five at Fenway, the crowd and the pressure of the situation seemed to refocus Kazmir and he dominated the Sox for six innings, giving up just two hits and no runs. If Kazmir starts looking down at his landing foot in the first inning of game one, the Rays will be in trouble. If Kazmir can focus on the batters, he is capable of shutting the Phillies down for five-plus inning... Depends on if his feet are more important than batters.

Sixth Inning (A look outside the box)...
Normally this is where we would look at other series of importance... But sweet fancy Moses...There are no other series.

Seventh Inning (Over/Unders)...
30,000 fans per game next season...

The Rays averaged 22,600 fans per game this season. That was 26th in baseball. Ten teams averaged more than Tropicana Field's maximum capacity of about 36,000. A legitimate expectation is over 30,000 in 2009, which would put the Rays in the top 15... Under, barely.

0.5 saves for David Price in the World Series...

The two relievers that Maddon has the most confidence in are JP Howell and Grant Balfour, although The Mad Australian struggled in the ALCS. So when big outs are needed in the seventh and eighth innings, those are the pitchers you will see. As for Price, game seven was a big breakthrough, but it is difficult to gauge what that will mean for the World Series. Maddon clearly has confidence in Price so it will not surprise me to see him in the ninth inning at some point, but he has yet to work back-to-back days so the opportunities will be limited... Over, barely.

3.5 wins in the World Series...

All the Rays have done all season is win when nobody thought they would...Over

Eighth Inning (On deck)...
The Rays have home field advantage in the World Series thanks to an All-Star game win... Will this venue have an impact on the series?

Game one will mark the first time in 2008 that the Phillies will play on artificial turf. This is not something to take lightly. The Rays have one of the best infield defenses in baseball. An argument could be made for three or four gold gloves in the Rays infield. The Rays infield is used to the fast turf. The quick bounces and the fast track are something the Phillies infielders are not used to. At some point in games one or two, the Rays will benefit... Good for one or two runs in games one and two.

Ninth Inning (Putting out the fire)...
A lot of people seem to be concerned with whether people will watch this World Series... Is this a legitimate concern?

Since when do fans care if other people watch? Watch or don't watch... Nobody should care.

If the Rays lose the World Series is this season a success?

On the one hand: yes. Nobody thought the Rays would get this far, but then again, the Rays are no lock to get back anytime soon. It would be a success if they hadn't gotten this far. But the Rays are this far. Either win or go home...NO

Matt Garza was named the MVP of the ALCS... Do you agree?

Earlier this season Garza started seeing a sports psychologist and has been great ever since... Can we get the psychologist a playoff share?

Matt Garza was named the MVP of the ALCS... If the Rays win the World Series, who will be the MVP?

Co-MVPs seem like a long-shot, so we have to pick between BJ Upton and Evan Longoria. We think there is a Longoria bias... Evan Longoria

Will the Red Sox overcome a four games to three deficit?

If it keeps the Red Sox Nation from vandalizing Faneuil Hall... Let them keep hoping.

Click here to learn about THT's download subscriptions.]]> Cork Gaines 2008-10-22T06:58:15+00:00 Why the Rays beat the Red Sox http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/why-the-rays-beat-the-red-sox/ http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/why-the-rays-beat-the-red-sox/#When:05:02:15 The good
The heart of the order. In the regular season, no one or two batters carried the team. The strength was the depth of the roster, including the entire lineup and the bench. But in the ALCS, the heart of the order stepped up and delivered. In Game 1, the 2-5 hitters (BJ Upton, Carlos Pena, Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford) went a combined 2-13 with three walks, five strikeouts and no RBI. The Rays lost 2-0. In the next four games (78 plate appearances), that group hit .405/.474/.957 (1.430 OPS). The Rays went 3-1.

Right-handed lineup. During the regular season the Rays struggled against lefties going 40-41 against left-handed starters. Many thought the Rays needed to add a right-handed bat before the trading deadline. But in the postseason, the Rays are now 3-1 against lefties. In addition to the historic runs by BJ Upton and Evan Longoria, a big reason for the newfound success against lefties is the emergence of Rocco Baldelli and Willy Aybar as legitimate offensive threats. Against lefties, Joe Maddon goes with Baldelli in right and Aybar at DH. In the ALCS, Baldelli and Aybar hit a combined 10-25 (.400) with three home runs and 10 RBIs (1.223 OPS).

Back end of the rotation. James Shields pitched well in Game 1, but the Rays were 0-2 in his starts. Matt Garza showed glimpses of greatness in the regular season, but seemed to finally put it together in the ALCS. Garza, who has the stuff to be a dominant strikeout pitcher, only struck out 6.3 per nine innings in the regular season. In two starts against the Red Sox, he upped that to 14 strikeouts in 13 innings, allowing only eight hits and two runs. Andy Sonnanstine gave the Rays more than could have been hoped during Game 4 at Fenway when he worked into the eighth inning and gave up only one run in the first six innings.

But the biggest start for the Rays actually came in a loss. Many questioned Joe Maddon’s decision to move Scott Kazmir up to Game 5 at Fenway. Lost in the Game 5 comeback was Kazmir’s strong start (6IP, 2H, 0R). Kazmir struggled with his mechanics down the stretch and rarely looked comfortable on the mound. His Game 5 start may have been the turning point for the young hurler.

David Price. During the regular season, the Rays’ MVP may very well have been the bullpen. But in the ALCS, that group struggled. Prior to David Price’s appearance in Game 7, the bullpen combined to allow 11 runs in 19.2 innings on 20 hits and 16 walks with 19 strikeouts. And in the biggest moment in the history of the Rays, Joe Maddon called on David Price, who began the season in single-A. With the bases loaded in the eighth inning, Price came on and struck out JD Drew to end the threat and then struck out two in the ninth for his first career save.

The bad

The bullpen. 17 walks in 21 innings. Part of the credit goes to the Red Sox, a team that knows the importance of being patient. But the once dominant crew lost its swagger and the biggest culprits were Dan Wheeler and Grant Balfour. During the regular season, Balfour became just the fourth relief pitcher ever to post more than 11 strikeouts per nine innings and allow fewer than one base runner per inning with an ERA below 1.70. But in the ALCS, he only struck out one in 2.1 innings, giving up five runs on five hits and four walks.

The defense. Overall, the Rays still played solid defense in the ALCS. But after going errorless in the first three games of the series, the Rays committed six miscues in the final four games. And even then, it was two errors in particular that hurt the Rays. Errors by Evan Longoria in Game 5 and Jason Bartlett in Game 6 both led to runs for the Red Sox.

James Shields. It is hard to put Shields in this category, but normally a team cannot afford to go 0-2 in starts by their ace. Shields did pitch well in Game 1, but struggled with his changeup in Game 6. A pitcher like Shields relies on getting swing-and-misses with the change. During Game 6, Shields threw 29 changeups with only four swing-and-misses.

The telling

Closer. Since Troy Percival went on the DL, Joe Maddon has not named a closer, with Dan Wheeler receiving the majority of the chances. But after Wheeler struggled during the comeback in Game 5, Maddon chose to go with Wheeler early in Game 7 and then brought David Price in for the final four outs. Maddon will still go closer-by-committee, with an eye towards matchups, but don’t be surprised to see Price in the ninth inning during the World Series.

BJ Upton’s shoulder. Upton played most of the regular season with a tear in the labrum of his shoulder. The injury will require offseason surgery. While Upton was cleared to play, he admitted that he was often hesitant to swing hard and would even take pitches in certain areas for fear of making the injury worse. That fear appears to be gone in the postseason. During the regular season, Upton hit a home run every 59 at-bats. During the postseason that number is now once every seven at-bats.

The regular season. The Rays won the regular season series with the Red Sox 10 games to eight. Many in Red Sox Nation said the regular season didn’t matter. The goal should just be to make the postseason. Two of those wins came in a late-season series at Fenway with first place on the line. The Rays were 0-7 at Fenway prior to those games, and the two wins proved to the team that they could win in Boston. The Rays would go on to win the AL East and win two of the three games at Fenway in the ALCS. And is there any chance the Red Sox might have liked having Game 7 at home?

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First inning. (A look back)…
Both the Rays and Red Sox dominated the season series in their home parks. The Rays won eight of nine at home against the Sox, sweeping two series. On the other hand, Boston was 7-2 at Fenway, also sweeping two series. Will this trend continue in the ALCS?

This won’t be a '91 World Series scenario where the home team wins all seven games, but the home teams will dominate. The Rays won more games at home this season (57) than any team since the '98 Yankees. And no park is more intimidating than Fenway Park in October.

But the Rays know they can win in Boston. After dropping their first seven games at Fenway this season, the Rays broke through in September with first place on the line. They would win their final two in Fenway in playoff-like atmospheres. The Rays will win one in Fenway, which means the Sox have to win one of the first two if they want a chance to win the series...
Rays have proven they can win in Fenway.

Second inning. (Come from behind)…
In the final month of the season, the Rays twice faced the Red Sox. In both cases, the Red Sox won the first game to pull within one win of the lead in the AL East. Each time, the Rays won the final two games, to win each series and maintain their lead in the East. What can we learn from those series and how will it affect the ALCS?

If the Rays fall behind early in any games, they will not panic. In all four wins during those two September series, the Rays trailed and three times they trailed in the seventh inning or later. One time they even got to Jonathon Papelbon. In the playoffs, teams tend to panic when they give up the lead. The Rays know they have a bullpen that will keep them in games and an offense capable of coming from behind...
Rays know they won't have to panic

Third inning. (The right stuff)…
Jon Heyman of SI.com broke down the final four and the only weakness he could find for the Rays was a lack of experience. Will this hurt the Rays in the ALCS?

In other divisions, a team can be built for the long haul and survive 162 games only to get trounced in the playoffs (*cough* Oakland *cough*). To win the AL East, a team has to be designed to win in both the long haul and the short series. The Rays played 24 series against divisional rivals, in a division in which four teams finished with a winning record. The season is nothing but a bunch of short series with a heightened magnitude. The Rays have more experience than most teams...
no

Fourth inning (No fairy tale)…
Several writers have referred to the Rays as a Cinderella, the likes of George Mason in the NCAA basketball tournament. Does the slipper fit?

In terms of the '08 season, sure. But with respect to the playoffs, this is not the '07 Rockies. The Rays did not slip in the back door by way of a weak division. The Rays held sole possession of first place every day in the second half of the season. This is a good team from the toughest division...
the Trop is an orange, not a pumpkin

Fifth inning. (Really, Reilly?)...
Rick Reilly says the Rays are "bad for baseball" Is this possible?

When people say a certain team or matchup in the World Series is "bad for baseball," they rarely see the whole picture. Before this season, the Rays had trouble selling tickets. Tampa/St. Pete is still an untapped market. A trip to the World Series will only increase the popularity of the team in the Bay Area. How is that "bad for baseball"? Now, the Rays may not be good for the TV ratings. But so what? Is baseball hurting for money? As long as teams keep handing out $100 million contracts...
baseball will be just fine

Sixth inning. (A look outside the box)...
With the Rays taking on the Red Sox in the ALCS, they are four wins from the World Series. Which team will The Rayshead Army be rooting for in the NLCS?

After two straight playoff blowouts at the hands of the Eagles, the Bucs finally broke through with a win in Philadelphia in the '02 NFC championship game, en route to their first Super Bowl. In 2004, the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Flyers in seven games in the Eastern Conference finals, on their way to their first Stanley Cup championship. Nothing gives a Tampa Bay sports fan more pleasure than keeping the City of Brotherly Love in its place...
Philadelphia Phillies

Seventh inning. (Over/unders)...
1.5 renditions of "Seven Nation Army" at the Trop during Game 1: When the Rays chase a pitcher during an inning, "Seven Nation Army" by the White Stripes is blasted through the speakers during the pitching change with fans chanting along. Unfortunately, Dice-K has not been pulled in the middle of an inning since July. But the Rays will get to Matsuzaka early; he has a tendency to walk a lot of Rays. If the Red Sox do have to go to the bullpen after the fifth inning, Tito Francona will play matchups the rest of the way...
over

0.5 saves for Troy Percival in the ALCS: Percival was held out of the ALDS because of a recurring back problem. He has thrown in a couple of instructional league games and says he feels good. The Rays carried only 10 pitchers in the ALDS and could go to 11 in the ALCS. If Edwin Jackson is not added to the roster, Percival will be, but he is not likely to take back his closer role...
under

0.5 bases loaded walks in this series: The Rays batters led baseball with 29 walks and hit batters with the bases loaded this season. Carlos Pena even set a major league record with nine bases-loaded free passes. Boston was second with 22, showing that both teams put incredible pressure on opposing pitchers. Still, it is not likely that either pitching staff will have to face too many bases-loaded situations...
under

0.5 hit batters after which the TBS announcers will overreact and show the brawl from the regular season:
Is this a serious question?...
over, way over

0.5 games that the Red Sox Nation thinks the Rays can win in the ALCS: Pink Hat Nation, defining humble and classy since 2004...
under

3.5 wins in the ALCS for the Tampa Bay Rays:
The story has been the same all season. The Rays lose a single game and everybody predicts imminent doom. And every time, the Rays answer the bell with a win. How quickly the Pink Hat Nation forgets their place and 86 years of ineptitude. The World Series is not a Boston birthright. The ALCS will be status quo...
over

6.5 games needed to win the ALCS: The Rays will win Games 1 and 2 at home and then take Game 4 in Fenway. Up three games to two, the Rays will come home and extinguish the Sox flame in Game 6...
under

Eighth inning. (On deck)...
The pitching matchups for the first four games are now known...Which games could be the key to the series?

The Rayshead Army should feel good about the Game 1 matchup between the Rays' ace, James Shields, and Daisuke Matsuzaka, who may be the most overrated 18-3 in the history of baseball. The Rays also will have the advantage in Game 4 with Andy Sonnanstine facing Tim Wakefield. In two September starts against the Red Sox, The Duke gave up only two unearned runs on seven hits and two walks in 13 innings. Wakefield, the former Rays killer, struggled in three starts this season.

The key will be Games 2 and 3, with Scott Kazmir facing Josh Beckett and Matt Garza going against Jon Lester. If the Rays can split those two games, they will likely be up three games to two heading home for Game 6. If they lose both games, they likely will need to win both Games 6 and 7 to win the ALCS...
Rays need to split games two and three

Ninth inning. (Putting out the fire)...
The Rays won 97 games this season without a true MVP. If they win the ALCS, who will be named MVP?

In his final seven plate appearances of the ALDS, B.J. Upton hit three home runs and was on base five times. Before that, Upton was swinging scared because of a tear in the labrum of his shoulder. Upton has finally put that fear behind him. Look for a huge series as he makes up for lost time...
B.J. Upton

This season the Rays have been compared to both the '69 Mets and the '91 Braves. Which comparison do you prefer?

The Amazins won the World Series, while the Braves won 14 straight division titles. We'd never turn down a title, but this Rays team is not a flash in the pan...
'91 Braves

Numerous ALCS previews have been written with pictures of Jenn Sterger wearing the old Devil Rays green gear. Should this be a point of pride for Rays fans?

That is soooo 2006...
who?

For the last 10 years, the only extended break for the Rays and their fans during the season has been the All-Star break, and at that point the Rays were already 25 games out. Now the Rays and The Rayshead Army are faced with a three-day wait before the ALCS. How are you passing the time?

So this is what October baseball feels like...
very carefully

We have heard that you pick your beverage for a series based on the opponent. What is the drink of choice for the ALCS?

In an attempt to determine what the "Opposite of Sam Adams" would be, we recalled that Sam Adams (the person) was a key leader in the events that led to the Boston Tea Party. So obviously we should go British. Our favorite English beer is Boddingtons. And of course we will also have champagne on ice, because it won't take the Rays 86 years...
Boddington's and champagne

Click here to learn about THT's download subscriptions.]]> Cork Gaines 2008-10-10T05:09:15+00:00 Why the Rays beat the White Sox http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/why-the-rays-beat-the-white-sox/ http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/why-the-rays-beat-the-white-sox/#When:04:57:15
On Sept. 8, the Rays lost the opener of a three game set in Fenway Park. It was their fourth loss in a row and the Rays lead was down to a half-game. To listen to the experts of the MLBiverse, the Red Sox winning the next two games and taking back their birthright—first place in the AL East—was inevitable. The next night, the Rays beat the Red Sox, getting to Jonathon Papelbon in the 9th inning and then took the final game in 14 innings.

One week later, the Red Sox visited the Trop and took the first game of the series 13-5. It was the Rays’ third straight loss and the Red Sox pulled within percentage points of the Rays in the East. Once again the experts just assumed that midnight was about to strike for the Rays. The next night, the Rays once again won in their final at-bat and then went on to take the final game of the series.

This week, the Rays lost a lead again. Only this time it was a two-games to none lead in the ALDS; they followed it with a loss in Chicago. With Gavin Floyd matching up against Andy Sonnanstine, a game four loss was apparently inevitable for the Rays, with Mark Buerhle set to win the series for the Sox in game five. Like every time prior, the Rays did what no “expert” thought they could do. They won.

In the end, the Rays won the ALDS. Let’s see how it happened…

The Bullpen: It was the bullpen doing what they have been doing all season long. One year after posting horrific numbers not seen by a bullpen in 50 years, the Rays relief corps proved once again that they are the MVPs of this squad. In 12.1 innings, the bullpen, led by JP Howell and "The Mad Australian" Grant Balfour, gave up only one run on six hits and two walks with 13 strikeouts. The only blemish being a solo home run in the 9th inning with a three-run lead. In the four games, the Rays relievers faced five inherited runners and retired every batter they faced in those situations.

B.J. Upton: Earlier this season, Upton tore the labrum in his shoulder on a swing. As a result, he was tentative most of the year, often afraid to swing the bat for fear of aggravating an injury that will require off-season surgery. The injury limited Bossman Junior to nine home runs in the regular season. Well, in the final two games of the ALDS, Upton appeared to rediscover his swing and his confidence. In his final 7 plate appearances, Upton hit 3 home runs and was on base 5 times.

Carl Crawford: Because of a finger injury, Crawford did not have a plate appearance in the final 46 games of the regular season. But there was a hidden benefit. His legs are fresh. Crawford has made no secret of the fact that the Field Turf at the Trop is hard on his legs, sapping some of his speed late in the year. But with a fresh set of wheels, Crawford returned to the lineup bringing with him havoc on the base paths, including a back-to-back steals in the decisive game four.

Andy Sonnanstine: With David Price set to join James Shields, Scott Kazmir and Matt Garza in the rotation in ’09, much has been made over who should be the fifth starter, Sonnanstine or Edwin Jackson. Sonnanstine’s performance in game four should put that debate to rest. In the last month, The Duke has made three starts with playoff-like atmospheres. In addition to game four of the ALDS, Sonnanstine faced the Red Sox twice. In those three starts, he has gone 18.2 innings and given up two earned runs on 10 hits and three walks with 16 strikeouts, proving he is a big game pitcher.

Evan Longoria: He is only 22 years old and missed four weeks down the stretch due to a broken bone in his wrist. He would have been forgiven if his bat didn’t show up in the first round. But any doubts about how he would handle the pressure of the big stage were immediately put to rest as Dirtbag became just the second player to hit a home run in his first two postseason plate appearances.

In the end, it was just the Rays being the Rays and winning games the same way they have all season. The starting pitching was strong. The bullpen was stronger. The offense overcame early inning deficits and scored five or six runs every game.

Her Rays said it best: “You know what was really refreshing … It was the playoffs and the Rays still looked the same to me.” That is exactly how Joe Maddon wanted it.

And now it is on to the ALCS to face the Boston Red Sox . Somebody might want to check that clock. It seems to be stuck on 11:59 pm.

Click here to learn about THT's download subscriptions.]]> Cork Gaines 2008-10-08T04:57:15+00:00 Why the Rays will beat the White Sox http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/why-the-rays-will-beat-the-white-sox/ http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/why-the-rays-will-beat-the-white-sox/#When:06:59:15
Stop and soak in that statement for a moment. The Tampa Bay Rays sans Devil are one of eight teams that qualified for the playoffs and they did it by winning the toughest division in baseball. Despite 10 years of losing, the Rays now have more playoff appearances in the last 11 years than six franchises; more division titles in the last 11 years than 10 teams. In the last 11 years, the Rays have more AL East championships than the Blue Jays and Orioles combined.

And what a ride it has been. The Rays took to heart the first rule of feuds. Always punch up a weight class. It started in spring training when the Yankees whined about getting their precious pinstripes dirty. The Rays responded by punching the Yankees right in the mouth. Then the Red Sox played dirty and then cried when the Rays didn’t back down. The Rays responded by punching the Sox right in the mouth. The Rays had announced their presence with authority and showed they will no longer be so easily dismissed.

And let’s be clear … This is not the 2007 Rockies. The Rays did not sneak into the playoffs through the back door. The Rays held first place for the final 75 days of the regular season. And every time the Red Sox got close and “experts” predicted the clock to strike midnight, the Rays faced the bullies of the AL East…And they won.

Now everybody wants to know if the Cinderella Rays can keep it up under the pressure of the national stage. First up is the Chicago White Sox. Can the dream season continue? Let’s ask the Magic 8-ball.

1. The Rays finished the regular season 13-14 and looked very mediocre at times…Can the Rays turn it on in the postseason? Magic 8-ball says: The Rays played 18 of their final 25 games on the road, where they went 40-41 this year. On the other hand, the Rays have home field advantage in the first round and Dome Sweet Dome couldn’t have come at a better time. The Rays went 57-24 at home this season, the best home mark in baseball since the Yankees in 1998. On top of that the White Sox were 5-17 in domes this season, with a .664 OPS in those 22 games. Add to that the emotionally draining one-game playoff, which was followed by a celebration and a late-night flight to St. Pete and it is easy to imagine the Rays getting off to a strong start in this series.

2. The Rays were only ninth in the AL in runs scored this season…Can the Rays score enough runs to win the ALDS? Magic 8-ball says: The Rays may actually be peaking (health-wise) at the right time. The Rays four biggest offensive weapons (Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, B.J. Upton) all missed significant time due to injury, with Crawford, Pena and Longoria available at the same time for only 87 games this season. All three are healthy and available for the first time in a while.

Crawford may even be healthier than he has been since the first half as the recent time off for a finger injury has allowed his sore hamstrings time to recover. And while the Rays averaged less than five runs per game, the postseason plays right into the strength of the team. In October, bullpens reign supreme and 3-1 games are more the rule than the exception. So while the Rays offense could be better in the postseason, with the Rays’ bullpen, it doesn’t necessarily have to be.

3.Which hitter could be the biggest key to the Rays’ offense? Magic 8-ball says: Akinori Iwamura. The White Sox enter this series with a rotation that has been working on three days rest and a pitching staff that was forced into action on Monday and Tuesday while the Rays were at home resting. The rotation is filled with workhorses, but there may only be so many bullets in their arms each night. It is imperative that the Rays’ hitters force the starters to throw extra pitches and that starts with the leadoff hitter. If Aki can do that, the Rays will eventually get to the starters and they will walk off the mound to the sound of 36,000 fans chanting along with “Seven Nation Army”.

4.Which starting pitcher is the key to the Rays’ rotation? Magic 8-ball says: Scott Kazmir. The Rays’ game two starter gave up eight home runs in his last three starts and has only worked past the sixth inning once in his last 19 appearances. With a strong bullpen and extra days off in the postseason, the Rays can survive an outing in which Kazmir only works five innings. But if the Rays are going to have a chance to win those starts, he needs to avoid the long balls and rediscover his comfort zone.

5. With Troy Percival likely out for the first round, which relief pitcher is the key to the bullpen? Magic 8-ball says: JP Howell. A converted starter, Howell is not your typical lefty reliever. He logged 89.1 innings this season and was repeatedly called upon to get big outs in the middle innings. At some point this series, Howell will be brought into a situation that could change the momentum of the entire series. If he delivers in the same fashion as he has done all season, the Rays will move on to the ALCS.

6.When all is said and done, will the Rays win this series and advance to the ALCS? Magic 8-ball says: The question should be: “Will the White Sox even win a game?”

Click here to learn about THT's download subscriptions.]]> Cork Gaines 2008-10-02T06:59:15+00:00 The remains of the season: Rays http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/the-remains-of-the-season-rays/ http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/the-remains-of-the-season-rays/#When:04:08:15 I wrote the following about the Tampa Bay Rays sans Devil…

Watching the 2008 Tampa Bay Devil Rays will be like watching Natalie Portman in "Beautiful Girls." You know she is going to be hot when she grows up, but part of you wonders if it is OK to look at a 14-year-old that way. And when she does finally grow up and she is even sexier than you imagined, there is a part of you that still sees the 14-year-old and it makes you feel a little guilty. And yet, you can't wait for the Tampa Bay Rays first nude scene. ... Wait. ... What was I saying? Nevermind. ... Ladies and gentlemen, these are not your older brother's Devil Rays.

Five months later we now feel more like a dad who is trying to figure out how his pimply-faced 12-year-old princess suddenly turned into an 18-year old hottie on her way to college. The Rays grew up much faster than even the most optimistic blowhard could have predicted and as RAYSHEADS, we can no longer protect them behind a curtain of anonymity.

The Rays are now front and center in the MLBiverse. Before the season started everybody wanted to be the first to predict a good season for the Rays. But then the Rays got off to a slow start falling as much as 5 back and in last place in the East. The naysayers started early, shouting that it was the "Rays being the Rays." But then the Rays called up The Dirtbag, Evan Longoria, and they shot to the top.

For all of June and July the Rays shared the top of the standings with the Red Sox. Most wondered if the Rays had any staying power. Certainly they couldn’t hang with Boston. But they were in a good position for the Wild Card. After a 7-game losing streak entering the break, people smarter than us, predicted the end. But since the All-Star break, the Rays are 18-8 and have not relinquished their stranglehold on first place. They have even entered a few nails in the coffin of the mighty Yankees.

But then "The Curse of the New Kids on the Block" reared its ugly head. Carl Crawford was lost for the remainder of the regular season. Jason Bartlett, whose defense has anchored the pitching staff, has missed time. Troy Percival is headed back to the DL for the umpteenth time. But the big blow was the loss of Evan Longoria for 2-3 weeks. For all the good of the Rays, the offense has struggled this season and the Dirtbag has been the one constant force.

So now the experts are predicting imminent doom. Rick Reilly even declared that midnight has come for the Rays. Are the “experts” correct? Let’s ask the Magic 8-Ball…

1. Can a team that has never won more than 70 games make the playoffs with all of the recent injuries? Magic 8-ball says: Just take a look at the standings. Right now, it is nearly impossible for the Rays to fall out of contention. The West has already been won and there are no wild card contenders. In the East and the Central there are four teams for three spots and the Rays have the best record of the group. The Yankees may have an outside shot at the Wild Card, but they cannot make up 10 games in the loss column on the Rays.

Even if the Rays finished 21-21 down the stretch, the Yankees would have to go 30-11 just to tie. The Yankees are roadkill. The key is the distance between the Rays and the Twins, which now stands at 6 games. If the Red Sox do surpass the Rays in the East, can the Twinkies make up a 6-game deficit in 40 games? Not impossible, but not likely either. So the question should be: Will the Rays make the playoffs? It would take a collapse of Metsian proportions for the Devil Dogs to miss October baseball.

2. With Evan Longoria and Carl Crawford out with injuries, do the Rays have to add a bat through a waiver-trade? Magic 8-ball says: Before the trading deadline, many thought the Rays needed to add more offense. Now, calls for the Rays to sign Barry Bonds or trade for Gary Sheffield or Raul Ibanez have turned into shouts. But I am not so sure it is necessary. The Rays have been carried all season by their pitching and for the most part that group is intact. And with their lead in the East, the Rays have a cushion to play with.

Longoria will be back in time for the tough stretch at the beginning of September when they play the Red Sox and Yankees 12 times in 16 days. And should the Devil Dogs make the playoffs, Crawford should be ready to run in October.

But the biggest reason we are not worried is the recent reemergence of Carlos Pena. Like the Rays, many predicted a fall for El Gato. And for the first three months of the season it looked like they were right. But since the All-Star break Pena has 8 home runs and a 1.009 OPS. And he is hitting home runs at a pace (1 every 10.9 ABs) similar to '07 (1 every 10.7 ABs). Pena and Co. are not going to remind anybody of the ’27 Yankees, but there is enough offense to support the pitching staff and hold off all challengers for the final six weeks.

3. Will last year's top pick, David Price, be promoted to the Rays down the stretch and what would his role be? Magic 8-ball says: We keep going back and forth on this one. Some in the local media feel it is only a question of "when". That is not the Rays' MO. The Rays are a team that rarely commit to a course of action until a decision is required.

After starting the season in high-A, Price has been promoted twice and recently made his triple-A debut, which also happened to be his first loss as a pro. Certainly Price is an option but the biggest reason they may choose not to, is the fear of putting too many pitches on Price's young arm. He suffered from a sore shoulder in the spring causing him to miss the first month of the season, but that also means his arm may still have a few bullets left.

If the Rays do call on the top prospect, he could be used in the ‘pen, much like the Yankees used Joba Chamberlain last season. This may even be a necessity with the loss of Troy Percival. But his role would have to be clearly defined. You don't want a young pitcher without any bullpen experience warming up four times every night.

And while the rotation is where his talents are better suited, who would be out of a job? The obvious names are Andy Sonnanstine and Edwin Jackson. But Sonny is 12-6 with a 4.35 ERA and Jackson is 4-1 in 5 starts since the All-Star break. Ultimately, the bullpen seems more likely but I am still not convinced he will be promoted.

4. If the playoffs are the ultimate goal, is winning the division important? Magic 8-ball says: It is nice having the Wild Card to fall back on. If making the playoffs is the goal, then the Rays should worry more about the Twins than the Red Sox. But the goal should always be winning the World Series and that goal will be more easily achieved if the Rays win the East.

If the Rays win the division, they will face the winner of the Central (White Sox or Twins). A win in the first round will mean a likely matchup with the Angels-Red Sox winner. On the other hand, if the Devil Dogs are the Wild Card team, they would likely have to defeat the Angels and the Red Sox to make it to the Fall Classic. That is a tall order. Besides, how sweet will it be to say the Rays slew not one, but both of baseball's giants in one season. But, as long as there are still more teams than chairs, a playoff spot…any playoff spot…is the goal.

Click here to learn about THT's download subscriptions.]]> Cork Gaines 2008-08-16T04:08:15+00:00 Five Questions: Tampa Bay Devil Rays http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/five-questions-tampa-bay-devil-rays2/ http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/five-questions-tampa-bay-devil-rays2/#When:04:06:15
So what does the front office do for an encore? Do they trade any of their surplus of young position prospects to shore up a weak pitching staff? Nah. Do they jump into the free agent market and bring in a dependable pitcher or two for the rotation or the bullpen? Nope. In fact, this incarnation of the Rays has gone in the other direction. By trading a number of veteran players during the 2006 season, the 2007 Opening Day payroll will be approximately $28 million or $15 million less than the 2006 payroll. At least the Marlins won a couple of titles before each of their sell-offs. But the end result could end up the same for the Rays. In trimming the payroll, the team was able to acquire a number of top prospects, and now the minor league system is considered the best in baseball. Will this make a difference in 2007? Probably not, but the team will use this season to evaluate the talent in place and determine which pieces are a part of the Rays now bright future.

Here are five questions for 2007. The answers to these questions will go a long way to determine if the Rays will be ready to make a jump forward in 2008.

1. How good can Carl Crawford be?

The Rays outfield is already one of the best in baseball. All three Opening Day starters, Carl Crawford, Rocco Baldelli and Delmon Young, are under 26 and possess that rare combination of speed, power and defensive abilities. While some look at Young and see a future Hall of Famer, Crawford is the one that has already etched a place as one of the most exciting players in baseball. Only 25, Crawford already has four full seasons under his belt and he continues to get better. In each of his four seasons, Crawford has improved his batting average, OPS and home runs. He is arguably the fastest player in baseball and defensively, Crawford is as good as any left fielder in baseball.

So how good can Crawford be? He has already shown that he can be a .300 hitter (.305 in 2006, .301 in 2005). He has already led the American League in stolen bases three times, and he made an All-Star appearance in 2004. For speedsters like Crawford, we would normally expect more of the same, with slight improvements in certain categories. But he isn't like most baseball speedsters. First of all, with all that speed we forget that he is 6’ 2”, 220 pounds. He is a big kid—but can he hit like a big kid?

For all the great stat lines he has produced, he has yet to add much power to his game. Can Crawford develop into a power hitter and become a true five-tool player? While his 2006 total of 18 home runs is a decent number for a speedster like Crawford, he has shown signs that he could improve. In one stretch during the 2006 campaign, he hit 11 home runs in a 30-game stretch. He also played the entire 2006 season with tendinitis in his wrists. Add to that, Crawford is potentially still two or three seasons from his statistical peak. Manager Joe Maddon has recognized this, and Crawford is likely to hit third in the lineup, despite other choices such as Baldelli and Young, both of whom could be natural #3 hitters.

Dropping down in the order will cost Crawford some stolen bases this year. The feeling here is that he will probably end up in the low 40s, still an impressive number for a #3 hitter. But if Crawford’s wrists are healthy, and all indications are that they are, look for Crawford to dramatically improve on his home run totals. 30 home runs are not out of the question for 2006 and would go a long way to adding consistency to the Rays lineup. Defensively, this could be the first year that he brings home the gold glove and despite an All-Star snub in 2006, Crawford should become a regular fixture in the midseason classic.

How good can Carl Crawford be? Nobody knows, but it is sure going to be fun finding out.

2. Will the Rays trade one of their talented young outfielders?

This offseason featured constant rumors of the Rays trading one of their outfielders for pitching help. The Rays may already have the best young outfield in baseball yet some think Elijah Dukes could end up being the best of the bunch. In addition, B. J. “Don’t Call Me Melvin” Upton, who apparently forgets where the first baseman is on his throws from the infield, leads many to think he is destined for center field.

Both Upton and Dukes have a good shot to be on the Opening Day roster, bucking Major League tradition of keeping top prospects in the minors until an everyday position opens up. Dukes is likely to be the fourth outfielder and should see playing time at all three outfield spots and designated hitter. Upton is being groomed into a Chone Figgins-like super-utility player and will see playing time at third base, shortstop, second base and center field. The hope is that the new arrangement will take pressure off of him defensively and allow him to reestablish himself as an offensive force.

With five young talented outfielders, many believe the Rays have to make a trade, but there are several reasons why that hasn't happened yet. Both Dukes and Upton are unknown commodities and if traded now, the Rays would risk receiving less than full value due to Upton’s defensive struggles and Dukes’ character issues. Until either or both players emerge as consistent offensive forces, the Rays are unlikely to move either one anytime soon.

Also complicating matters is Baldelli’s health. After a promising first two seasons, he tore an ACL in his knee playing whiffle ball, which somehow also led to Tommy John surgery on his elbow that cost him the entire 2005 season. He also missed the beginning of 2006 with a sore hamstring. Baldelli is making J. D. Drew look like a beacon of health. He struggled in his return before hitting .323 with 11 home runs the final two months of the season. Maddon will continue to give Baldelli plenty of days off in 2007, a sign that the team is still concerned about his fragile nature.

The Rays are also unlikely to find a team willing to pay the high price for Crawford or Baldelli. Not only are they two of the better outfielders in baseball, they are both young and cheap. With all the money that was thrown about to mediocre talent this off-season, the value of Crawford and Baldelli went through the roof. Both players have been signed to long term deals at relatively cheap prices. Crawford has four years left at $7 million per season and Baldelli is locked in for five more seasons at $5 million per year.

A situation that the Rays currently face in the outfield is exactly what a low-payroll team strives for. They have three talented players that are all under the control of the franchise until at least 2010 (The Rays control Young until 2012). Whether or not the Rays trade one or more of these players will depend more upon on the development of the pitching staff than on the players themselves. By the end of 2007, the front office will have a better sense of how many holes remain to be filled in the rotation and the bullpen. Until then, look for the Rays to hold on to their outfield talent.

3. Can Jeff Niemann be the #2 starter the Rays desperately need?

Mets fans may want to skip the next couple of sentences or risk Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The previous regime made one trade worth remembering when they fleeced the New York Mets for Scott Kazmir, giving up a starting pitcher (Victor Zambrano) that would go on to win 10 games for the Mets in two-and-a-half seasons. Kazmir has been nothing but remarkable for the Rays since arriving from the Mets farm system and has developed into the ace that the Mets never thought he could be.

As good as Kazmir is, the rest of the rotation is just as mediocre. The 2007 rotation will open the season with Jae Seo, Casey Fossum, James Shields and either Edwin Jackson or J. P. Howell joining Kid K. Not exactly the 1971 Orioles. Seo will be 30 years old and is probably as good as he will get. Shields enters his second season and is never going to win 20 in the show, but he could be a serviceable back-of-the-rotation pitcher. Fossum, the only pitcher in baseball without a fastball, is coming off his second shoulder surgery, and it will be interesting to see if his pitches will even register on radar guns. He will be a free agent at the end of 2007 and somebody will soft-toss the Rays a prospect or two for the services of a lefthander down the stretch. Jackson and Howell are the leading candidates for the fifth spot in the rotation and both have similar histories, as once promising prospects that are in danger of falling off the face of baseball.

The rotation should have a much different look by the all-star break. Several of the current starters will be pitching for their futures because the team has two pitchers at Triple-A Durham that are knocking on the door. The first is the big right-hander Jeff Niemann. When the Rays selected Niemann with the fourth pick of the 2004 draft, he was already considered to have major league stuff. Like many “can’t-miss” pitchers, that path met a roadblock in the form of an arm injury. Fortunately for Niemann and the Rays, the injury was not serious. He still only has 22 professional starts, but he was dominating in his return at Double-A in 2006. Niemann will start the 2007 season in Triple-A, but if all goes well, he won’t be there long. Look for him to get about 10 starts in Durham before making his major league debut in late May or early June.

Mitch Talbot won’t be far behind. Talbot was acquired, along with Ben Zobrist, from the Astros for Aubrey Huff before the trading deadline. While he had shown some promising signs in the Astros system, he turned it up a notch after the trade, possibly sensing that the road to the majors was clearer in the Rays organization. His 10 starts at Double-A included a 1.90 ERA and two complete game shutouts during the playoffs that featured 24 strikeouts and two walks. Talbot, like Niemann, will begin the season at Triple-A but could become a permanent fixture in the Rays rotation by the All-Star break.

For all the talk of the Rays young talent, it is still absent from the pitching staff. The Rays will never contend until they find pitchers to complement Kazmir in the rotation. Niemann is on track to be the other top-of-the-rotation guy that the team desperately needs and by the All-Star break the Rays rotation could feature five guys under the age of 26.

4. What will the infield look like when the dust settles?

This is more a question for 2008, but depends a lot on what we see during 2007. We already touched on the plight of B. J. Upton. He is still holding out hope that he can be a major league shortstop, but at this point it seems more likely that his future is at second base or center field. Ben Zobrist, who came over with Talbot in the Huff deal, is the everyday shortstop. He is solid defensively but will never be much of an offensive force with little power or speed. Zobrist is probably just keeping the position warm until something better comes along. That is probably 2006 California League MVP Reid Brignac. The Rays shortstop of the future could arrive in 2008. At third base the Rays will debut their newest acquisition, Japanese import Akinori Iwamura.

A power hitter in Japan’s smaller ballparks with a gold glove, he is more likely to be a gap hitter in the States. With his size (5’ 9”) his best position may be second base. An eventual move, would free open a spot for 2006 first round pick Evan Longoria, whose first professional campaign was so impressive, he is already a top-10 prospect in baseball. He is on a fast track to the majors but at what position? He can play second base and shortstop, but he appears destined for third base. Moving Iwamura to second base would force the Rays to move Jorge Cantu. Cantu, who is below-average defensively, at best, hit .286-28-117 in 2005. His 2006 campaign got off to a bad start with a foot injury and he never appeared to rediscover his stroke. At only 25, Cantu needs a strong 2007 to show that his future is with the Rays. Even with a rebound season, other options at second base mean Cantu could be trade bait, or a potential answer at first base. None of this answers the question of what to do with Joel Guzman if he can ever discover the power in his 6’6”, 245-pound frame that many have hoped for since he was the Dodgers' top prospect.

With Cantu, Upton, Zobrist and Iwamura set to receive considerable playing time in 2007, their performances this season will help to determine where they will be playing in 2008, whether it will be in their current spot, a different position or a different franchise.

5. Will the Rays find any relief in 2007?

The Rays bullpen was atrocious in 2006. Part of the problem was the inability of the starting pitchers to work deep into games, over-taxing an under-talented group of relievers. Another problem was injuries as the team was forced to work several players at closer during the season. So what did the team do to fix the bullpen heading into 2007? Nothing. The only significant addition to the corps is Al Reyes who, as a non-roster invitee, is returning from Tommy John surgery. Starter-turned-closer Seth McClung finished the 2006 season as the closer, but was mediocre at best. He was the favorite to begin the upcoming season in the same role, but his struggles this spring leaves the position wide open. The favorite may now be Reyes, but the team will be careful with his surgically repaired arm and give save opportunities to others. There are some young talented relievers in the bullpen, such as Ruddy Lugo, Chad Orvella, Brian Stokes and Juan Salas, but they are inexperienced and inconsistent at best.

If there is any hope for the Rays to emerge from the Dark Ages that have plagued this franchise since its inception, the bullpen needs to improve and it needs to improve sooner rather than later. This group of relievers has ability, but they are unlikely to ever be much better than an average major league bullpen. In the AL East, with all the good hitters, that won’t be good enough to compete and eventually changes need to be made, either through free agency or by trading one or more of their young position players.

Conclusion

The front office will give this group the 2007 season to show that they belong in the major leagues. Their growth will go a long way to determining whether the Rays can make a step forward in 2007 and start to become the competitive franchise that some are predicting. There is a lot of young talent on this team and there is a lot of talent in the minor leagues that is on the way, but until the team can develop some consistency in the rotation and the bullpen, the Rays will continue to lose 90+ games. The new ownership group has yet to open their pocketbooks despite promises to the contrary. That should change following the 2007 season and the team’s performance on the field will go a long way to determining what additions will be made. In the end, with the same core of pitchers, the 2007 version of the Rays will look much like every previous version, but this isn’t your older brother’s Devil Rays. There is a plan in place and it appears to be working.

Click here to learn about THT's download subscriptions.]]> Cork Gaines 2007-03-21T04:06:15+00:00