2009 Tampa Bay Rays thread (1 Viewer)

[Capella]

Yea, they are going nowhere this year with this bullpen. they can't sustain leads, and you can't keep giving away game you should have won.Balfour is horrible. People are just sitting on his fastball, as they know he can't get that ####ty slider of his over the plate.Bradford coming back and replacing Grant will make a small difference, but not enough to get them to October, unless the starting pitching just winds back and dominates.

Any prospects in the minors they can bring in for bullpen help?

Wade Davis is one of the best starting pitching prospects in the minors, and he has a dominating fastball...but I doubt they mess around with him and throw him in the pen right now. More likely what they will do is wait until August after he has his 130+ innings in the bank and then bring him up to work some out of the pen at that point. If they are still in the race. Other than that, all of their minor-league pitching depth is starters. Kazmir is slated to come back in a few weeks, I suppose they could push Sonnanstine to the pen at that point, where he may be better than he was as a starter. Sonny and Bradford could be an improvement over Balfour and the corpse of Isringhausen.

 

[tommyGunZ]

THROW A ####### STRIKE ALREADY DAVID PRICE. 58 pitches through 2???

 

[Capella]

THROW A ####### STRIKE ALREADY DAVID PRICE. 58 pitches through 2???

"Rays are cheap by not having Price up to start the year"Maybe they knew what they were doing?

 

[Finless]

THROW A ####### STRIKE ALREADY DAVID PRICE. 58 pitches through 2???

"Rays are cheap by not having Price up to start the year"Maybe they knew what they were doing?

He's not ready.

 

[gump]

He was criticized on this board and other places last season, but IMO...

If we lose CC after this season, we won't make another serious run for years.

 

[gump]

I had an interesting conversation with an ex-college catcher and coach over the weekend about Price. This guy is also from Nashville, so followed Price closely in college.

He says Price has an obvious mechanics problem, and has had it for a few years. He has that high kick/coil, and a lot of the time doesn't get back to where he needs to be as he releases the ball. So it sails.

He did the same thing his entire final season at Vandy, but college hitters swung at pitches out of the zone so it didn't show.

I would assume if this guy can make this observation from his couch that someone on the Rays staff is working on it?

 

[Capella]

Playing good ball. The offense is unreal.

Hate to say such a crass thing, but Aki's injury may have been a blessing of sorts. There really was no place to play Zobrist everyday, and now they can settle him into second base for the next 3-4 years and not worry about it. Hell, his offense could be at half this level and he would be an incredibly productive second baseman. Aki was a solid player, but Ben's offense is so good he just completely trumps him. And he plays a decent second, to boot.

Hope they can keep up the run. It will be interesting to see what they do with Sonny when Kaz comes back. I imagine to the pen, with Abreu going back down to Durham. Bradford is on his way back as well.

3 back of the wild-card with 100 to play.

 

[MrPhoenix]

What becomes of Aki then? Super-utility guy? Or is this the last year of his deal?

 

[Capella]

What becomes of Aki then? Super-utility guy? Or is this the last year of his deal?

Yea he's a FA after this year. Bad break for him, terrible pun not intended.I'm sure he'll get a cheap deal with some team next year. Maybe even the Rays as a backup MI for a year to prove he's back.

 

[gump]

I guess Brignac was sent down to keep getting regular at bats. Isnt' Bartlett's contract also up after this season?

 

[Capella]

I guess Brignac was sent down to keep getting regular at bats. Isnt' Bartlett's contract also up after this season?

I think he's up after 2010. May be wrong.No point in keeping Reid around to play once a week, if that.

 

[gump]

Another bad start = another loss.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Looks like that slut James Shields is pitching today.

 

[Capella]

+75 run differential, 5 guys in the lineup playing all-star caliber baseball, Garza-Shields-Price at the top of the rotation, a bullpen that is currently 2nd in the AL in ERA...and one game over .500.

Unbelievable.

 

[gump]

+75 run differential, 5 guys in the lineup playing all-star caliber baseball, Garza-Shields-Price at the top of the rotation, a bullpen that is currently 2nd in the AL in ERA...and one game over .500.Unbelievable.

That's baseball. Stats are great...but if you don't hit, pitch, or field in the clutch...you don't win.Rays '09 = Arod's career.

 

[Darth Cheney]

Back near the bottom again. Good to see all is right in the universe. Are they going to blow this team up and sell at the deadline?

 

[gump]

Howell the guy now or just a matchup thing?

Howell is still the middle guy I believe. It was just a unique situation of starters throwing a complete game the night prior and 8 innings this game.

I remember watching the 6/2 game against KC, Rays were up 4-2 in the bottom of the 8th, Joyce batting with 2 out and one on. Potential save situation coming up in the top of the 9th and JP was the only one warming up in the pen. Next thing, Joyce hits it out, Rays go up 6-2 and Howell comes in to finish off the Royals striking out Guillen and Teahan.I think he's the guy now. Hopefully we'll get a few chances to find out this weekend.

*Disclaimer* I do own Howell in my one & only $ league.

This is the first true save opp in a while where the bullpen hasn't been used...Howell warming up for the 9th.

 

[gump]

Back near the bottom again. Good to see all is right in the universe. Are they going to blow this team up and sell at the deadline?

Inside scoop...Look for them to dump the Longoria contract on the Yankees.

 

[gump]

Beating Johan is a stroke on the field....

 

[Darth Cheney]

Back near the bottom again. Good to see all is right in the universe. Are they going to blow this team up and sell at the deadline?

Inside scoop...Look for them to dump the Longoria contract on the Yankees.

What are they asking for Gardner, Damon and Phil Coke?

 

[Kovax]

Back near the bottom again. Good to see all is right in the universe. Are they going to blow this team up and sell at the deadline?

Inside scoop...Look for them to dump the Longoria contract on the Yankees.

Dumbest post i've ever seen in this forum. if there was an emoticon for whorish moron i'd use it here.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Back near the bottom again. Good to see all is right in the universe. Are they going to blow this team up and sell at the deadline?

Inside scoop...Look for them to dump the Longoria contract on the Yankees.

Dumbest post i've ever seen in this forum. if there was an emoticon for whorish moron i'd use it here.

If they ever get one they might as well call it :kovax:

 

[Capella]

Back near the bottom again. Good to see all is right in the universe. Are they going to blow this team up and sell at the deadline?

3 games behind your suck-### 400 million dollar squad. :(

 

[Kovax]

Back near the bottom again. Good to see all is right in the universe. Are they going to blow this team up and sell at the deadline?

Inside scoop...Look for them to dump the Longoria contract on the Yankees.

Dumbest post i've ever seen in this forum. if there was an emoticon for whorish moron i'd use it here.

If they ever get one they might as well call it :kovax:

I might be ok with that. Depends on what it looks like. But do you really believe the Rays would trade Longoria? I can't imagine them doing that.

 

[gump]

Back near the bottom again. Good to see all is right in the universe. Are they going to blow this team up and sell at the deadline?

Inside scoop...Look for them to dump the Longoria contract on the Yankees.

Dumbest post i've ever seen in this forum. if there was an emoticon for whorish moron i'd use it here.

If they ever get one they might as well call it :kovax:

I might be ok with that. Depends on what it looks like. But do you really believe the Rays would trade Longoria? I can't imagine them doing that.

It was a poor attempt at a joke...the Rays are paying Longoria peanuts.

 

[Limp Ditka]

It was a poor attempt at a joke...the Rays are paying Longoria peanuts.

Truthfully, it was a poorer attempt at getting a joke.

 

[Darth Cheney]

Back near the bottom again. Good to see all is right in the universe. Are they going to blow this team up and sell at the deadline?

3 games behind your suck-### 400 million dollar squad.

And I care about the dollar amount of my squad because.....?

 

[Darth Cheney]

It was a poor attempt at a joke...the Rays are paying Longoria peanuts.

Don't let the haters get you down. I thought it was a very classy rebuttal to a fairly average attempt at ball busting. Kudos to you...

 

[Kovax]

It was a poor attempt at a joke...the Rays are paying Longoria peanuts.

Don't let the haters get you down. I thought it was a very classy rebuttal to a fairly average attempt at ball busting. Kudos to you...

Hey - my bad. I didn't realize it was a joke. Went right over my head. I didn't read it in context.

 

[Darth Cheney]

It was a poor attempt at a joke...the Rays are paying Longoria peanuts.

Don't let the haters get you down. I thought it was a very classy rebuttal to a fairly average attempt at ball busting. Kudos to you...

Hey - my bad. I didn't realize it was a joke. Went right over my head. I didn't read it in context.

The internet isn't good for sarcastic attempts like the one I did. If we were at a bar....you'da known the second I said it by one of many dumb facial expressions.

 

[Knightro]

Back near the bottom again. Good to see all is right in the universe. Are they going to blow this team up and sell at the deadline?

3 games behind your suck-### 400 million dollar squad.

Your crackberry die?I'm coming over on Fri nite for the game.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Back near the bottom again. Good to see all is right in the universe. Are they going to blow this team up and sell at the deadline?

3 games behind your suck-### 400 million dollar squad.

Your crackberry die?I'm coming over on Fri nite for the game.

You bringing the white zin?

 

[Capella]

Back near the bottom again. Good to see all is right in the universe. Are they going to blow this team up and sell at the deadline?

3 games behind your suck-### 400 million dollar squad.

Your crackberry die?I'm coming over on Fri nite for the game.

Yea, died a few months ago. Was sick of verizon anyways.I'm going to Sunday's. What a showing last night.

 

[Capella]

Hey Gump - for throwback night, are they going to be selling the '98 hats? I've been looking for one that fits my huge head for years now.

 

[Knightro]

Yea, died a few months ago. Was sick of verizon anyways.I'm going to Sunday's. What a showing last night.

I need to make it over on throwback night so I can break out my old jersey.Price needs to go back to AAA and learn a third pitch. Everyone is taking his sliders and just living off fastballs

 

[Capella]

Yea, died a few months ago. Was sick of verizon anyways.I'm going to Sunday's. What a showing last night.

I need to make it over on throwback night so I can break out my old jersey.Price needs to go back to AAA and learn a third pitch. Everyone is taking his sliders and just living off fastballs

The slider had no break last night. They beat the holy #### out of it. Fastball looked great.At least we know the floor with this guy is dominating closer. Those two pitches (when on) are almost unhittable.

 

[Knightro]

The slider had no break last night. They beat the holy #### out of it. Fastball looked great.At least we know the floor with this guy is dominating closer. Those two pitches (when on) are almost unhittable.

Yea...everyone is laying off the slider since he's not throwing it in the zone and just waiting for a fastball to hit. He needs to throw more inside to lefties and get that slider in the zone as there aren't a lot of MLB hitters that will swing at chase pitches like minor leaguers do.

 

[gump]

Hey Gump - for throwback night, are they going to be selling the '98 hats? I've been looking for one that fits my huge head for years now.

Cap - I'm sure New Era is...but I'll verify. We'll be doing the authentic jerseys, basic logo tees, and player tees (Longoria, CC, Pena, maybe JB).Tees and jerseys are white with the rainbow logo. I'd assume the caps would be black?

 

[Capella]

Caps were black then.

Will the tees actually say Devil Rays? The FO has been trying to get away from that.

 

[gump]

Caps were black then.Will the tees actually say Devil Rays? The FO has been trying to get away from that.

They will. I was also surprised they didn't go with the "Tampa Bay" rainbow logo.Maybe they're trying to help us appreciate the team more today by digging up skeletons...

 

[gump]

So....who will the All Stars be?

I'd guess Longoria, CC, and Howell...with a possible Zobrist or Bartlett.

 

[gump]

Bossman Jr comes thru in front of Bossman Sr...

 

[gump]

Howell the guy now or just a matchup thing?

The guy.Picked up 2 wins and a save in the 3-game Marlins series.

 

[Capella]

Team is on fire. Bullpen has been great (to my shock, I admit) and the rotation has finally settled down like most thought it would.

But what an offense...

1.5 back of the WC and 4 back the of the Sox. They are playing great ball, if this offense keeps up, the pitching is good enough to carry them very, very far. Best run differential in the league right now.

One interesting, somewhat-minor note is what they will do with Choate when Shouse is ready. They can't really send him down, he's been excellent. But they won't be able to keep Shouse in the minors and won't want to lose him.

 

[Knightro]

We're going streaking!!!!!

Lose Shouse...Choate has been better and can pitch vs RHP if needed. I'll send Shouse to an NL contender who needs a LOOGY before letting Choate go.

 

[gump]

Don't forget about the defense. We are turning dp's and getting to balls in the infield that we did not in April.

Team is fun to watch...

 

[Capella]

So....who will the All Stars be?I'd guess Longoria, CC, and Howell...with a possible Zobrist or Bartlett.

I think Longo and Zobrist are locks. CC should be as well, but outfielders get tricky. Bartlett also seems likely.I think they get 4...no pitchers.

 

[gump]

So....who will the All Stars be?I'd guess Longoria, CC, and Howell...with a possible Zobrist or Bartlett.

CC should be as well, but outfielders get tricky.

I would shocked if CC doesn't make it. He's 5th in the voting...Hamilton is back, but will they play him? Who would make it over Crawford? Jones or Markakis? Griffey? Sizemore?

 

[Capella]

So....who will the All Stars be?I'd guess Longoria, CC, and Howell...with a possible Zobrist or Bartlett.

CC should be as well, but outfielders get tricky.

I would shocked if CC doesn't make it. He's 5th in the voting...Hamilton is back, but will they play him? Who would make it over Crawford? Jones or Markakis? Griffey? Sizemore?

I don't know. It's such a dumb process that I hardly even try to guess. I think he'll make it though, especially with Joe in charge.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Griffey?

Shtick?