I’ve had a few days to digest the Rays’ new ticket and parking strategy.  First, let me say that I get it.  I understand why they want to overprice weekend Yankees and Red Sox games.  But, I also have questions.

Are they making their pricing plan too confusing for the casual fan?  I mean, you need a slide rule to determine what tonight’s game might cost.  If it’s a weekday and it’s the Royals, it’s this price.  If it’s a weekend and The Flock of Seagulls are in concert, it’s that price.  If it’s the White Sox and they’re giving away a Raymond Bobblehead, it’s another price.  Most people don’t care if it’s a Bronze game or a Platinum game.  They care that it’s a baseball game. 

Now, for parking.  At the very least, they can say they still offer free parking.  For Bronze and Sunday games.  After that, in my opinion, let the fun begin. 

First of all, let me say, it’s typically just my son and I going so it’s just two of us in the car.  On occasion, my wife joins us, and then there’s three.  So, we’ve always been on the outside of this free promotion because we chose to have a small family. 

So, for pregame entertainment, go watch at the entrance to the parking lots as everyone races to be one of the first 100 cars into the lot.  I mean, when times are tough, saving 15 bucks to watch a game will mean a lot to people, especially on a Saturday night when the Yankees are in town. 

Rays parking handlers will be there, clickers in hand, counting off the free cars.  Families of four or more will arrive from various directions.   Being courteous will fly out the window.  What if that minivan you let jump into line is #100?  You think you’re going to be nice for $15?  Fat chance!  It will be kamikaze parking at its best.   

Whatever happened to “Keep it Simple, Stupid”?

It seems that one team, or at least one team’s fans, are outwardly excited about the opportunity to latch on to Carl Crawford.

There’s been a lot of buzz recently about whether the Mets have a chance to sign him if, and according to one blog, when, the Rays decline CC’s option. I’ll get to the “when” part in a minute. But, Mets beat writer Marty Noble addressed this question on the Mets team website.   He only says “if” the Rays don’t pick up his option, CC would be a good alternative.

Crawford isn’t the power hitter the Mets need, but if the club plans to build on pitching, defense and speed, Crawford would be ideal.

Then there’s Mets blog citifieldofdreams.com.  According to them, “(w)ord is they are not picking up his option.”  Has anyone around here even heard that “word” uttered around here?  That the Rays weren’t going to pick up his option?  It’s a $10 million option, which is nothing for the upside that he brings.  Heck, the buyout is $1.25 million.  Anyone think the Rays would spend that to let him walk?

Carl just won his third Fielding Bible award.  One that saw him garner 9 out of 10 first place votes, with him getting second on the 10th ballot.  Chances are, he’s an eyelash away from his first Gold Glove as well.  Not to mention the fact that he’s coming off a 60 stolen base season.  The Rays will pick up his option if, for no other reason, to see what the return would be if they were to trade him. 

So, the Mets can window-shop at what Carl Crawford would mean to their organization, but they better come to the table with a pretty good package of players to actually see him in left field at Citifield.

The Rays resigning of Gabe Kapler leaves me asking why? Why do the Rays need him when Ruggiano or Perez can play the same role as him for less money? Why would the Rays need Kapler on their roster? This signing most likely means that Gabe Gross will not be resigned. This also most likely means right field will be a Matt Joyce-Gabe Kapler platoon with Ben Zobrist at second. Then what do you do with Brignac and Rodriguez? What about Desmond Jennings?

I would say that signing Kapler means there is probably a trade or two in the works. The Rays would have to make room for Jennings in the outfield. I would also see the Rays trading either Brignac or Rodriguez, since they most likely won’t be starting. I still see a trade of BJ Upton as a strong possibility if the Rays can get a good package. Upton and Brignac to the Giants for Buster Posey and others? This would be a great trade for both teams, since the Rays are weak at catcher and the Giants are weak at middle infield/outfield.

Of course, my speculation could be completely wrong and Joyce could remain in the minors, Jennings or Zobrist could play right, and Zobrist, Brignac, or Rodriguez could play second. The sensible platoon could just be a coincidence and Kapler could be signed to rot on the bench all year.

There’s growing opinion that the Rays will opt to pick up Akinori Iwamura’s option, and then trade him to a team in need of a second baseman, such as the Dodgers or Mariners.

The move comes with some risk, as the option is $4.85 million for the 2010 season.  But, Rotoworld.com, citing Sanspo.com speculates that the Dodgers will be in the mix for Aki in the coming weeks.

And, Tim Dierkes discusses this topic on mlbtraderumors.com with several comments indicating that there’s a general buzz about Aki. 

The Rays are in a power position here.  While Aki can be considered a successful free agent acquisition for his time in Tampa Bay, the Rays have a surplus of options at second.  He could become a very useful piece of the puzzle as the Rays look to improve their bullpen going into next season.

Both Minnesota papers, the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press, take  a look at what the Twins should do this off-season.  Net them together, and I think I could find a match. 

John Shipley in the Pioneer Press points out that the Twins need a shortstop.  They ended the season with Orlando Cabrera there, but he’s a free agent.  Patrick Reusse of the Star Tribune drivels about the Twins should trade Joe Nathan and the remaining $22.5 million/two year contract that they are obligated to.

Reusse suggests that the Twins should trade Nathan and install lefty Jose Mijares as their closer.  Let me help them.  I’d consider trading them one of ours, Jason Bartlett or Reid Brignac, for Jose Mijares and Jose Morales.  I’ll throw in John Jaso if I need to.  I like Mijares as a closer as well, and Morales is a converted shortstop, which makes him that athletic-type player the Rays love.  His defense has been questioned, but he looks to be a pretty decent offensive catcher. 

***

Sam Mellinger has a piece in the Kansas City Star about the Royals trading closer Joakim Soria. After dressing him up as the next-best thing since sliced bread, Mellinger details the teams in need of a closer.  Yep, you guessed it.  The Rays and their “young talent” were the first team mentioned.  No specifics though. 

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Evan Longoria is the Sporting News‘ AL All-Star third baseman for the 2009 season. 

Picture:  Wikimedia Commons

This afternoon, I had ESPN Radio’s Colin Cowherd on while driving home from work.  He was closing his show and talking about the Angels-Yankees series and was talking about how great a Sunday night game 7 would be.  He made a point, emphasized his point by repeating it a couple of times, that a game 7 this Sunday night would be the greatest game played in the past two years.

Ironically, then I came home and watched last year’s ALCS game 7.  Red Sox vs. Rays on the MLB Network.  They were showing it as one of baseball’s classics. 

I’m biased, as I have the wild memories of being there, but I have to say that an Angels-Yankees game 7 would have a lot of catching up to do to exceed last year’s game.  The pitching of Matt Garza.  The emergence of David Price.  The clutch hitting of Willy Aybar.     

National sportsradio dudes like Colin Cowherd can discard the amazing run that the Rays made last year.  But, the fact remains, what they did last year was incredible.  And, no matter how much drama he tries to build around a 3-2 Yankees series heading back to the Bronx, last year’s Rays run is tough to top.

Look for an announcement on ticket prices coming soon.  I’m sure it won’t be a surprise to anyone when they increase again.  What’s another couple of bucks a game, right?

It probably won’t be reported, but it will be interesting to know how season ticket renewals fare this year.  Many season ticket holders from 2009 were there because of the 2008 playoff run.  But, with the Rays failing to make the playoffs this year, there’s no tie-in for renewing next season. 

Will the optimism of another good team and season be enough to encourage those ticket holders back for another season?  Or, will another ticket price increase drive them away? 

And, in response to yesterday’s non-story that the Rays’ management is disappointed in the weekday attendance, how soon until we have a Tuesday Concert Series?

When you first look at it, most people will see the name Derek Shelton and ask who he is. Per the Heater, Shelton has been the Indians hitting coach for the last 5 seasons and was let go with when Eric Wedge was released.

The concerning part is the Indians offense struggled last season. The Indians did have good stats during his tenure. At 39, he goes along with the Rays young theme. Hopefully he can turn around our offense and be a fresh face for the Rays.

The Rays really did not give anyone an idea of what they would do for hitting coach since Hendu was let go, but none of the speculation I had seen even mentioned Shelton. I guess we can only wait and see how this will play out.

Within just a matter of days, the 2009-2010 roster will begin to take shape. All we need now is for the playoffs to move along and the hot stove league to heat up. For now, I’m ready to look ahead by looking back at last off-season.

November, 2008 – The off-season started off slowly with three players from the playoff roster moving along. Eric Hinske, Cliff Floyd and Trever Miller all became free agents in November. It’s doubtful that any of these players could have made an impact in 2009, although Trever Miller couldn’t have hurt the bullpen.

December, 2008 – The big move of December was the trade of Edwin Jackson to the Detroit Tigers for Matt Joyce.  At the time, the trade made a lot of sense, as the starting pitching rotation was already starting to look rather full.  And, Matt Joyce was coming off a pretty decent rookie season with the Tigers, and looked like he could play a factor in the right field competition.

But, the 2009 season played out and Edwin Jackson played a key role in the Tigers’ attempt to get into the playoffs while Matt Joyce played a key role in the Durham Bulls’ championship run. 

Other moves for December were:

Players lost:  Eduardo Morlan (Rule V – Brewers), Jonny Gomes (non-tender), Joel Guzman (FA – Nats), Scott Dohmann (signed with the Hiroshima Carp), Heath Phillips (FA – Royals), Dan Johnson (Released).

Players obtained:  Derek Rodriguez (Rule V – White Sox) and Joe Nelson (FA – Marlins)

Tomorrow I will take a look at the moves of 2009.

According to St. Petersburg Times Rays’ beat writer Marc Topkin, there’s belief that the Rays are toying some lineup ideas for the 2010 season.  In an article about Sean Rodriguez, the main player returned to the Rays for Scott Kazmir, the Rays are considering “playing S-Rod at second against left-handed pitchers with switch-hitting Ben Zobrist in rightfield and with Zobrist at second and Matt Joyce in right vs. right-handers.”

If this is true, this would be an indication that the Rays do not intend to bring back Akinori Iwamura for the 2010 season.  And, there’s a decent chance that at least one of the Gabe’s will be gone as well.

And, for what it’s worth, the same post names former-Ray and current ESPN analyst Eduardo Perez as a possible candidate for the open hitting coach job.  All other returning coaches received a two-year contract.