Posted December 30th, 2009 by Michael Emdeyar
The Reno Gazette-Journal has a profile of hometown boy Jake McGee posted today. We’ve heard reports that he’s back to his old self and ready to compete for a spot with the Rays. And, fueling this talk, Rays management have said they see McGee as a “back of the bullpen” type of guy eventually.
And, McGee likes what he’s hearing.
“I’d like that role a lot. I’d be able to better focus and put all my energy into one batter or one inning, and not have to pace myself.”
Rays director of minor-league operations Mitch Lukevics is one within the organization who feels McGee could be a closer down the road.
“As a starter or in the bullpen, his personality will translate to either role. All that needs to be decided in spring training. Let’s see how he responds. Either way, next year is going to be crucial for him. It will be a defining year for Jake.”
That all starts February 18 when pitchers and catchers report to Port Charlotte.
Picture: Flickr
Posted December 25th, 2009 by Michael Emdeyar
When asked how the Red Sox would overcome the Rays and Orioles improving their bullpens with the additions of Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez, respectively, Red Sox play-by-play guy and NESN’s Don Orsillo responded this way:
The bullpen is a big issue. To me, it was the single most important turnaround in the Tampa Bay Rays’ amazing season in 2008. I think that as it stands, things with the Red Sox are OK but could be better. I am not concerned about the Rays or the Orioles overall.
I guess that’s the arrogance of money. The Rays obviously have a good, young baseball team. And, the Orioles are building themselves quite a decent young pitching staff, along with the likes of Matt Wieters and Nolan Reimold.
Yet, Orsillo discards them before the season starts. The philosophy of the Red Sox will always be that they can compensate for the up-and-coming teams by spending a little money and remaining better.
It’s beginning to look a lot like 2008 all over again. And, things couldn’t be better.
Posted December 24th, 2009 by Devon Rogers
Baseball America has named their top 20 MLB prospects, just a couple days after the Rays top 10 were announced. Two Rays made this list. Desmond Jennings is the fourth best prospect, according to BA. Only Steven Strasburg, Jason Heyward, and Mike Stanton are in front of him. This could be the last year that DJ appears on this list, as he will most likely join the Rays outfield for good in the not too distant future.
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Posted December 23rd, 2009 by Devon Rogers
Why are media people so ignorant? Why do they think that the Rays don’t stand a chance? Oh well, the Rays do well under the radar. See, 2008. Ken Rosenthal wrote an article yesterday giving the AL East to the Red Sox and Yankees. Last time I checked, the season is 50 some days away. How is Rosenthal a respected writer? Anyone who can write off a great Rays team this early should join the rest of us in the blogosphere, not writing for Fox for some insane amount of money.
Let’s just make a comparison, shall we? He cites the rotations of the Red Sox and Yankees being amazing. I will give him that, but IMO, the Rays are not that far off. Let’s have a look:
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Posted December 22nd, 2009 by Devon Rogers
Today we have learned, from MLB Trade Rumors, of a four team trade involving the Rays that was discussed at the Winter Meetings that fell through. Here is how the trade would’ve ended up:
Rays Recieve: Milton Bradley
Mets Recieve: Gary Matthews Jr.
Cubs Recieve: Pat Burrell and Luis Castillo
Burrell would have then been traded elsewhere.
Angels Recieve: NOTHING! except the salary dump of Sarge Jr.
I have also seen, from Bleacher Report, that this deal would’ve sent Burrell to the Angels and only Castillo to the Cubs.
This deal would’ve been terrible for the Rays. It would not make sense to trade the contract year of Burrell, who is bound to do well this year, for two years of a head case in Bradley. Bradley would’ve been bad for the Rays chemistry, even if he could hit. I would not understand this deal from the Cubs point of view either. Why would you give up Bradley for a second baseman who is on the downhill side of his career and is injury prone. I understand they really wanted to trade Bradley, as now we can see they traded him for Carlos Silva.
All I can say is it is a great thing this deal didn’t go through, as this deal would’ve been terrible for the Rays.
Posted December 20th, 2009 by Michael Emdeyar
Erie Times-News writer Tony Battaglia has an idea of who the Cleveland Indians will be receiving in exchange for Kelly Shoppach from the Rays:
There is speculation that the Indians will get Mitch Talbot or Joseph Cruz — both right-handed starters — from the Tampa Bay Rays as the player to be named later in the Kelly Shoppach trade.
Seems reasonable. Talbot could potentially compete for a big league spot now with the Indians. He’s out of options so the Indians would have to be convinced he brings at least a little value. Joseph Cruz would be more of a potential thing, as he’s only 21-years-old and played at Bowling Green last year, amassing a 5-8 record and 4.08 ERA.
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The Boston Globe’s Christopher L. Gasper spent an entire column discussing whether the Red Sox have done enough to overtake the Yankees.
Do you feel the Red Sox today are better equipped to beat the baseball club in the Bronx than they were last season? Isn’t that really what this offseason is all about, whether the Sox can bridge — there is that word again – the gap that opened up last season between them and the World Series champion Yankees?
An entire column of drivel, and not one utterance of the Tampa Bay Rays. Not a single one. Fresh off 2009’s third place season, the Rays seem to be out of sight, out of mind. Isn’t that really best?
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Finally, with Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports suggesting that the Seattle Mariners are looking to deal for a hitter, and specifically a first baseman, don’t the Rays at least have to entertain the thought of dealing Carlos Pena? He suggests Brandon Morrow is the carrot being used to lure the bat.
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Things will probably be quiet on the baseball front for the next couple of weeks. Happy Holidays!
Posted December 18th, 2009 by Michael Emdeyar
With the signing of Ryan Shealy this afternoon, the Rays may have scored their first win of the 2010 season against the Boston Red Sox. Sure, it’s a soft blow. But, a week or so ago, NESN reported that the Sox were interested in the former Rockies and Royals infielder.
The real question, though, is what value does he hold to the Rays? Or, is he merely filler at Durham?
Carlos Pena has one year left on his contract. Is Ryan Shealy a plausible alternative or even a stop gap if the right deal for Pena comes along? For example, if the Seattle Mariners, who all of a sudden look like they want to win the AL West, come calling for a first baseman, the Rays would have to listen, wouldn’t they?
Posted December 13th, 2009 by Michael Emdeyar
Bill Madden of the New York Daily News echoes what many others have been saying about the Rays’ willingness to spend $7 million on Rafael Soriano. He says that it’s a clear sign that they’re in it to win it in 2010. But, he feels a trade was the only way the Rays were going to do it.
The Tampa Bay Rays’ acquisition of closer Rafael Soriano after he accepted arbitration from the Atlanta Braves is their declaration that they’re going for it next year. They’d have never signed Soriano as a free agent and sacrificed a draft pick, but they’re willing to pay him $7 million-plus and boost the payroll. They’re also looking past the fact the Braves didn’t think he had a closer’s mentality.
Ouch. The New Yorkers are already knocking the Rays’ closer.
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ESPN’s Tristan Cockroft put his fantasy spin on the trade and had mostly glowing comments for the Rays’ new closer, with his reservations based on his health:
Soriano’s talent shouldn’t be questioned; he has a 2.76 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings the past four years combined. If those don’t sound like closer’s numbers, what does? Any questions about the right-hander are health-related; he has made seven trips to the disabled list in his career, five for elbow issues and two for shoulder problems, plus he had Tommy John surgery in August 2004.
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Finally, judging by the over 200 comments posted on Jeff Schultz’s column on the Atlanta Journal Constitution website, Braves fans aren’t all that excited about the Rafael Soriano deal.
Posted December 13th, 2009 by Michael Emdeyar
Following in the footsteps of Rocco Baldelli and Scott Kazmir, Akinori Iwamura purchased a full-page ad in today’s St. Petersburg Times to express his gratitude to the Tampa Bay Rays and fans.
“Thank you to the club owners and management, to Joe Maddon and the coaches, to my fellow players and most of all, to you, the wonderful fans who immediately made me feel so welcome so far away from my home. I hope you’ll remember me with good thoughts for my efforts on the field and even for my “Rayhawk” haircut during our run to the World Series.”
Aki’s a class act. And, the Rays turned him into Rafael Soriano by way of Jesse Chavez, so his value will continue on.
