Tampa Bay Rays 2011 thread (1 Viewer)

[Giantseasonticketholder]

Watching SportsCenter... at the endless stream of fans who got up and left in the 7th with the Rays down 7-0.They must be suicidal. Way to miss one of the greatest moments in baseball history.

Kinda hard to blame anybody for leaving at that point, IMO.

That's certainly one opinion to have...I can guarantee it wouldn't have happened at Fenway though

You know what else won't happen at Fenway? Playoff baseball.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

Watching SportsCenter... at the endless stream of fans who got up and left in the 7th with the Rays down 7-0.

They must be suicidal. Way to miss one of the greatest moments in baseball history.

Good call. Too often we don't appreciate what we are seeing, because it's too close to us. That game with the split screen of Boston's loss going on simultaneously is going to go down as one of those sports moments that make you remember where you were and what you were doing at that moment. This was Bobby Thompson stuff.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Watching SportsCenter... at the endless stream of fans who got up and left in the 7th with the Rays down 7-0.They must be suicidal. Way to miss one of the greatest moments in baseball history.

Kinda hard to blame anybody for leaving at that point, IMO.

That's certainly one opinion to have...I can guarantee it wouldn't have happened at Fenway though

You know what else won't happen at Fenway? Playoff baseball.

 

[gump]

Greatest single game in Rays history.

I agree....although I don't think it tops the '08 Game 7 win over the Sox for most important game in Rays history.Since the Devil Rays changed to the Rays in '08....they've simply been a superior franchise to Boston. But that game in '08 was when everyone believed they belonged. So even though the fashion was so dramatic, beating the Sox now doesn't mean as much as it used to.

The only thing IMO that can top that '08 moment now for this franchise would be beating the Yankees in the ALCS....which we all know will never happen.

 

[Bogart]

Rays players,Don't be scared when you show up in Arlington. Yes, I know there are no catwalks that get in the way, but you can still play there. And those things in the seats? Those are called fans and they will be loud quite often during the game.Yours in Nolan,Bogart

Don't be a doosh. Rays had the better team last regular-season and the Rangers got by. Crazy #### happens. It's baseball. Ps, the Rangers weren't exactly Green Bay Packer fans in terms of attendance until a few years ago. Quite frankly I don't even care I'm so god #### happy. Doosh it up all You want.

OK, I won't be a doosh, but get your attendance facts straight.Since the Rays showed up, Rangers have averaged 2.504 million per year. Rays average 1.512 million. You guys are last in the league in attendance almost every year. This team deserves better.

 

[[icon]]

Great article... dunno if it was posted yet:

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/article1194297.ece

When you talk of the Tampa Bay Rays' 2011 wild card drama — and you will — know this

John Romano, Times Sports Columnist

Posted: Sep 29, 2011 06:57 AM

“Can’t express enough gratitude to Buck and the O’s for their incredible professionalism. We don’t do this without their respect for the game.”

— Joe Maddon, in a Twitter message about the Orioles and manager Buck Showalter

“I keep stopping what I’m doing and chuckling with disbelief.”

— Rays catcher Kelly Shoppach, via Twitter

“I just keep laughing out loud and saying, Did that just happen? It sure did.”

— Rays centerfielder B.J. Upton, via Twitter

ST. PETERSBURG — In years to come, the place will grow larger.

Fifty, sixty, seventy thousand people will claim to have been in the bleachers at Tropicana Field on that marvelous, magical night when Dan Johnson rose again.

In generations to come, no one will have gone to bed.

Alarm clocks will have been set, and children sent to their rooms but few will admit to turning off the TV before that stunning, glorious end when Longo went yard.

Yes, it was the kind of night made for telling and retelling. The American League wild card on the line, and two of the craziest finishes happening almost simultaneously.

Two blown saves in the ninth. Two walkoff victories. Both games coming within one strike of ending horribly for the Rays.

And, yet, when it was all over, when the games ended within minutes of each other on either side of midnight, Tampa Bay had completed the greatest September comeback in baseball history.

Rays 8, Yankees 7.

Orioles 4, Red Sox 3.

Miracles 2, logic 0.

"It's not incredible; it's historic. Period. End of story," said Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey. "You've never seen anything like it before, and you never will again."

So when you tell the story to your neighbor, make sure you got these details right.

• • •

They were gathered in the owner's suite.

The general manager. The team president. A trio of senior vice presidents. The entire Tampa Bay brain trust was there, except for one.

Owner Stu Sternberg had been in town earlier in the day, but had returned home to New York in observance of Rosh Hashanah.

Even so, Sternberg was keeping in touch surreptitiously through text messages. And when others thought the end was near, Sternberg held out hope for a repeat of history.

Team president Matt Silverman pulls out his smartphone and shows a text message Sternberg sent at 10:30 p.m., before the start of the ninth inning:

"Will come down to my man Dan"

Sternberg was referring to Dan Johnson, who three years earlier hit the most famous home run in team history to tie a game in the ninth against the Red Sox and propel the Rays on to their first American League East division title.

As if on cue, manager Joe Maddon sent Johnson to the plate to pinch-hit for Sam Fuld. Handed the first base job in spring training, Johnson had bombed horribly. He was sent back to Triple-A Durham, and only returned back to the Rays when rosters were expanded in September and added bodies were needed.

He had a batting average of .108, and was hitless with eight strikeouts in his last 21 big league at-bats.

Yet, he turned on a two-strike pitch and wrapped a line drive around the foul pole in rightfield to tie the game with two outs in the ninth.

"There were a couple of times along the way when we pronounced our time of death," Silverman said. "But you've heard stories in hospitals where patients who were pronounced dead suddenly spring back to life? That's us.

"We're standing here today, and we have new life."

• • •

The party was ready to go in the clubhouse. It was just waiting for an excuse.

Champagne and beer had been on ice all night long, but it was looking like it was heading back to the crates. The Rays were down 7-0, and showing no signs of life. The Red Sox were up 3-2, and stuck in a rain delay.

What's a clubhouse attendant to do?

Here's the thing about celebrations:

You can't jump the gun.

You can't have protective tarp spread across lockers and televisions if there's a chance the team is going to lose and the celebration is going to go bye-bye. No player wants to walk in a clubhouse and see evidence of a deceased party.

So equipment manager Chris Westmoreland and his staff waited. And watched. And agonized. And when the Orioles got a runner on second in the ninth, he told his crew to start setting things up. When a double tied the score in Boston, they began moving the couches and furniture out of the way. Another RBI ended the game in Baltimore and, minutes later, Evan Longoria came to the plate at Tropicana Field.

Longo hit a 12th-inning homer, and all hell broke loose.

"It was crazy," Westmoreland said. "I've never seen another night like this."

• • •

Here's one that will impress the guy on the next barstool:

You may know that Robert Andino's game-winning hit in Baltimore preceded Longoria's blast by only a few minutes. And you may know that Andino's line drive single went in and out of the glove of a sliding Carl Crawford in leftfield. And you certainly know Longoria's walkoff homer went slicing down the leftfield line at Tropicana.

But did you know the reason Longoria's shot had a chance to leave the park was because the Rays lowered the wall in the leftfield corner from nine feet to five feet in 2007?

They did it to give Crawford a chance to make home run-robbing catches.

• • •

How insurmountable does a 7-0 lead look to an offensively challenged team?

Put it this way:

Before Wednesday night, Tampa Bay's biggest comeback this season was five runs. That goes for last season, too. It's been more than two years since the Rays spotted a team a seven-run lead, and come back to win.

"We don't have "easy' in the playbook," general manager Andrew Friedman said. "For us, easy would have been (David) Price goes out and throws eight innings of shutout baseball, we make a lot of spectacular plays, get some timely hits. That's easy. We don't know easy."

Perhaps it will get easier from here.

Friedman said he discovered something along the way Wednesday night.

"I learned in the eighth inning that all you have to do is ask for a home run, and Longo will hit it," he said. "It's taken me a long time to learn that."

John Romano can be reached at romano@sptimes.com.

 

[Premier]

Bogart > nobody gives a ####. FYI.

More intelligent people than you have had long discussions about the Rays' attendance. And they usually don't do it the morning after an amazing night under the false pretense of being a decent guy.

 

[HellToupee]

good luck to all Rays fans. Hope you guys win it all.

 

[Bogart]

Bogart > nobody gives a ####. FYI. More intelligent people than you have had long discussions about the Rays' attendance. And they usually don't do it the morning after an amazing night under the false pretense of being a decent guy.

Fair enough. Good luck to you guys.

 

[Premier]

Same to you. Here's to a great series.

 

[Michael Brown]

Watching SportsCenter... at the endless stream of fans who got up and left in the 7th with the Rays down 7-0.They must be suicidal. Way to miss one of the greatest moments in baseball history.

Kinda hard to blame anybody for leaving at that point, IMO.

That's certainly one opinion to have...I can guarantee it wouldn't have happened at Fenway though

You know what else won't happen at Fenway? Playoff baseball.

One of the best lines ever said here. Sorry Wilked, you gotta give it up for that one

 

[Raider Nation]

Rays should vote Robert Andino a playoff schare

Curse of the Andino.

 

[Grahamburn]

Great article [icon]

“Can’t express enough gratitude to Buck and the O’s for their incredible professionalism. We don’t do this without their respect for the game.”— Joe Maddon, in a Twitter message about the Orioles and manager Buck Showalter

Incredible baseball integrity shown by the O's. They emptied all their barrels to beat those guys.

 

[Michael Brown]

Great article [icon]

“Can’t express enough gratitude to Buck and the O’s for their incredible professionalism. We don’t do this without their respect for the game.”— Joe Maddon, in a Twitter message about the Orioles and manager Buck Showalter

Incredible baseball integrity shown by the O's. They emptied all their barrels to beat those guys.

Buck wanted to beat the Sox. Badly. I don't think this was a case of doing the honorable thing for Tampa. Besides not for nothing, what else would they have been saving their guys for?

 

[Raider Nation]

Watching the replay of Andino's base hit again, the fact that Crawford should have caught the ball was sweet by itself...

but watching it live, I didn't even notice his LOB toss to home plate.

Barry Bonds thought it was a terrible throw.

 

[Grahamburn]

Great article [icon]

“Can’t express enough gratitude to Buck and the O’s for their incredible professionalism. We don’t do this without their respect for the game.”— Joe Maddon, in a Twitter message about the Orioles and manager Buck Showalter

Incredible baseball integrity shown by the O's. They emptied all their barrels to beat those guys.

Buck wanted to beat the Sox. Badly. I don't think this was a case of doing the honorable thing for Tampa. Besides not for nothing, what else would they have been saving their guys for?

Just saying. Players all over MLB were shutting it down with minor injuries. Adam Jones had been dinged up heading into that series. Wieters started every game. I don't think they necessarily did anything for Tampa either. I'd say Buck wanted his guys to get some major experience against a team that had to win.Either way, they laid it out there to beat Boston.

 

[Michael Brown]

Great article [icon]

“Can’t express enough gratitude to Buck and the O’s for their incredible professionalism. We don’t do this without their respect for the game.”— Joe Maddon, in a Twitter message about the Orioles and manager Buck Showalter

Incredible baseball integrity shown by the O's. They emptied all their barrels to beat those guys.

Buck wanted to beat the Sox. Badly. I don't think this was a case of doing the honorable thing for Tampa. Besides not for nothing, what else would they have been saving their guys for?

Just saying. Players all over MLB were shutting it down with minor injuries. Adam Jones had been dinged up heading into that series. Wieters started every game. I don't think they necessarily did anything for Tampa either. I'd say Buck wanted his guys to get some major experience against a team that had to win.Either way, they laid it out there to beat Boston.

Gotcha

 

[Premier]

So much good stuff written about the game last night. Joe Poz of course is this best:

"Papelbon blew the lead. Longoria homered in the 12th. Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. Funny, if I was trying to explain baseball to someone who had never heard of it, I wouldn’t tell them about Wednesday night. No, it seems to me that Wednesday night isn’t what makes baseball great. It’s all the years you spend waiting for Wednesday night that makes baseball great."

 

[Osaurus]

I hope they can score this much at the Trop for Game 3.

 

[Raider Nation]

A Phillies/Rays WS would see some insane pitching matchups.

 

[Premier]

I love adding Davis to the bullpen. He can really dial up that hard fastball for an inning and just pound people with that. Mix in his slider and he has the makings of a dominant reliever. He doesn't have to worry about holding back his heater, or throwing many off-speed pitches (which get him killed).

The Rays bullpen has been up and down this year, but Peralta and Gomes have been great since August. If Davis transitions well, and the Rays use him in high leverage situations, they could really lock down the 8th and 9th, with Farnsworth.

Also next year, it would help solve the SP logjam, and give you a young, hard-throwing backend of Davis, Gomes and McGee. I like that.

 

[Raider Nation]

I love adding Davis to the bullpen. He can really dial up that hard fastball for an inning and just pound people with that. Mix in his slider and he has the makings of a dominant reliever. He doesn't have to worry about holding back his heater, or throwing many off-speed pitches (which get him killed). The Rays bullpen has been up and down this year, but Peralta and Gomes have been great since August. If Davis transitions well, and the Rays use him in high leverage situations, they could really lock down the 8th and 9th, with Farnsworth. Also next year, it would help solve the SP logjam, and give you a young, hard-throwing backend of Davis, Gomes and McGee. I like that.

And if they can somehow find a way to afford it, add a couple of big sticks to the lineup and you might lose ten games all season.

 

[Balco]

I love adding Davis to the bullpen. He can really dial up that hard fastball for an inning and just pound people with that. Mix in his slider and he has the makings of a dominant reliever. He doesn't have to worry about holding back his heater, or throwing many off-speed pitches (which get him killed). The Rays bullpen has been up and down this year, but Peralta and Gomes have been great since August. If Davis transitions well, and the Rays use him in high leverage situations, they could really lock down the 8th and 9th, with Farnsworth. Also next year, it would help solve the SP logjam, and give you a young, hard-throwing backend of Davis, Gomes and McGee. I like that.

And if they can somehow find a way to afford it, add a couple of big sticks to the lineup and you might lose ten games all season.

The only way they will add a couple of big sticks is through a trade. And they have the pitching to get them a very good offensive player under team control for the next couple of years.

 

[Premier]

I love adding Davis to the bullpen. He can really dial up that hard fastball for an inning and just pound people with that. Mix in his slider and he has the makings of a dominant reliever. He doesn't have to worry about holding back his heater, or throwing many off-speed pitches (which get him killed). The Rays bullpen has been up and down this year, but Peralta and Gomes have been great since August. If Davis transitions well, and the Rays use him in high leverage situations, they could really lock down the 8th and 9th, with Farnsworth. Also next year, it would help solve the SP logjam, and give you a young, hard-throwing backend of Davis, Gomes and McGee. I like that.

And if they can somehow find a way to afford it, add a couple of big sticks to the lineup and you might lose ten games all season.

The only way they will add a couple of big sticks is through a trade. And they have the pitching to get them a very good offensive player under team control for the next couple of years.

I'm not sure about that. They said their payroll went so low this year to even out for 2010's bigger than expected budget. I think they are usually comfortable in the 55M range, but we'll see. If they keep Upton he'll get a raise, but I think they will at least sign a mid-level bat (think the Burrell signing, hopefully without the suck).

 

[Balco]

I love adding Davis to the bullpen. He can really dial up that hard fastball for an inning and just pound people with that. Mix in his slider and he has the makings of a dominant reliever. He doesn't have to worry about holding back his heater, or throwing many off-speed pitches (which get him killed). The Rays bullpen has been up and down this year, but Peralta and Gomes have been great since August. If Davis transitions well, and the Rays use him in high leverage situations, they could really lock down the 8th and 9th, with Farnsworth. Also next year, it would help solve the SP logjam, and give you a young, hard-throwing backend of Davis, Gomes and McGee. I like that.

And if they can somehow find a way to afford it, add a couple of big sticks to the lineup and you might lose ten games all season.

The only way they will add a couple of big sticks is through a trade. And they have the pitching to get them a very good offensive player under team control for the next couple of years.

I'm not sure about that. They said their payroll went so low this year to even out for 2010's bigger than expected budget. I think they are usually comfortable in the 55M range, but we'll see. If they keep Upton he'll get a raise, but I think they will at least sign a mid-level bat (think the Burrell signing, hopefully without the suck).

I just don't think they can get an impact bat for less than 10 mil. Maybe a decent veteran first baseman. I am talkin a .300 hitter with 30 homers and 100 rbis. But I still think the best move would be to trade a pitcher for a stud offensive player under team control. I think Matt Moore and Jeremy Hellickson are the 2 absolutely untouchables. I would shop Shields first.

 

[Premier]

I love adding Davis to the bullpen. He can really dial up that hard fastball for an inning and just pound people with that. Mix in his slider and he has the makings of a dominant reliever. He doesn't have to worry about holding back his heater, or throwing many off-speed pitches (which get him killed). The Rays bullpen has been up and down this year, but Peralta and Gomes have been great since August. If Davis transitions well, and the Rays use him in high leverage situations, they could really lock down the 8th and 9th, with Farnsworth. Also next year, it would help solve the SP logjam, and give you a young, hard-throwing backend of Davis, Gomes and McGee. I like that.

And if they can somehow find a way to afford it, add a couple of big sticks to the lineup and you might lose ten games all season.

The only way they will add a couple of big sticks is through a trade. And they have the pitching to get them a very good offensive player under team control for the next couple of years.

I'm not sure about that. They said their payroll went so low this year to even out for 2010's bigger than expected budget. I think they are usually comfortable in the 55M range, but we'll see. If they keep Upton he'll get a raise, but I think they will at least sign a mid-level bat (think the Burrell signing, hopefully without the suck).

I just don't think they can get an impact bat for less than 10 mil. Maybe a decent veteran first baseman. I am talkin a .300 hitter with 30 homers and 100 rbis. But I still think the best move would be to trade a pitcher for a stud offensive player under team control. I think Matt Moore and Jeremy Hellickson are the 2 absolutely untouchables. I would shop Shields first.

Well yea, they'd have to trade for a real stud. That much is clear. But going into next year they have an offensive core of:LongoriaJenningsZobristJoyceAll guaranteed to be back, and likely Upton and Kotch as well. Lot of variables in place (is Guyer ready, you bring Damon back another year, can Rodriguez be the everyday SS?) but there is a decent offensive core there to build around.

 

[RedRaiders]

Shields has a great contract - they would get a nice chip back in return. After all the innings he logged this year, selling high wouldn't be a terrible idea.

I am also rooting for the '08 rematch. Who can forget Longoria and Pena folding under the pressure and Joe Blanton ripping Edwin Jackson for a home run in game 4 (besides Premier)?

 

[Balco]

I love adding Davis to the bullpen. He can really dial up that hard fastball for an inning and just pound people with that. Mix in his slider and he has the makings of a dominant reliever. He doesn't have to worry about holding back his heater, or throwing many off-speed pitches (which get him killed). The Rays bullpen has been up and down this year, but Peralta and Gomes have been great since August. If Davis transitions well, and the Rays use him in high leverage situations, they could really lock down the 8th and 9th, with Farnsworth. Also next year, it would help solve the SP logjam, and give you a young, hard-throwing backend of Davis, Gomes and McGee. I like that.

And if they can somehow find a way to afford it, add a couple of big sticks to the lineup and you might lose ten games all season.

The only way they will add a couple of big sticks is through a trade. And they have the pitching to get them a very good offensive player under team control for the next couple of years.

I'm not sure about that. They said their payroll went so low this year to even out for 2010's bigger than expected budget. I think they are usually comfortable in the 55M range, but we'll see. If they keep Upton he'll get a raise, but I think they will at least sign a mid-level bat (think the Burrell signing, hopefully without the suck).

I just don't think they can get an impact bat for less than 10 mil. Maybe a decent veteran first baseman. I am talkin a .300 hitter with 30 homers and 100 rbis. But I still think the best move would be to trade a pitcher for a stud offensive player under team control. I think Matt Moore and Jeremy Hellickson are the 2 absolutely untouchables. I would shop Shields first.

Well yea, they'd have to trade for a real stud. That much is clear. But going into next year they have an offensive core of:LongoriaJenningsZobristJoyceAll guaranteed to be back, and likely Upton and Kotch as well. Lot of variables in place (is Guyer ready, you bring Damon back another year, can Rodriguez be the everyday SS?) but there is a decent offensive core there to build around.

Watched a lot of Jennings at bats this year (fantasy outfielder, have the MLB package). Really like what I saw, the key is how will he adjust as pitchers adjust to him. Went through his first real slump at the end of the year.Upton is just a name at this point. Hype far outweighs his play. I would say the Rays should trade him, but they really won't get anything back.Longoria is one of the best players in the game when you take into account defense. Clutch hitter. Franchise player. Great contract. Zobrist is solid as well. And Joyce used in a platoon is perfect. But they really need a second "star" hitter to pair with Longoria. A middle of the order guy. Teams will be lining up for a shot at Shields and his every team friendly contract (small and big market teams will want him), and they also have David Price. That could get them a high caliber player. I would be calling the Royals up to see if I could pry one of their young bats.

 

[Raider Nation]

Does B.J. realize how easy it would be to steal home? Holland is in his own world when he holds the set.

 

[Osaurus]

Wasn't expecting Holland to walk Shoppach with bases loaded. WTH Rangers?

 

[Raider Nation]

Wasn't expecting Holland to walk Shoppach with bases loaded. WTH Rangers?

Serves him right for wearing that hideous mustache. I grew a better one when I was 12.

 

[Bogart]

Good season guys. This team just never dies.

That pitching rotation will be even better next year. Scary freakin' good.

 

[Balco]

From Rotoworld

Votto available. Would the Rays be able to afford his 17 million contract in 2013? Makes 9.5 million next year.

Would have to give up a stud pitcher, obviously, but Votto would transform that lineup.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Ray Ratto wrote an eye opener for Rays fans...not looking good if you read the owner's words.

Sterberg and attendance

 

[Premier]

Ray Ratto wrote an eye opener for Rays fans...not looking good if you read the owner's words.

Sterberg and attendance

How exciting!!

 

[Osaurus]

Ray Ratto wrote an eye opener for Rays fans...not looking good if you read the owner's words.

Sterberg and attendance

How exciting!!

 

[gump]

Ray Ratto wrote an eye opener for Rays fans...not looking good if you read the owner's words.

Sterberg and attendance

Baseball won't work in St Pete. He knows it, we know it, the mayor of St Pete knows it.He's going to force a move out of that stadium and city....period.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

From Rotoworld

Votto available. Would the Rays be able to afford his 17 million contract in 2013? Makes 9.5 million next year.

Would have to give up a stud pitcher, obviously, but Votto would transform that lineup.

I would love to see them pull off a trade of Big Game James and something else for Votto. Instant contenders.This is incredible...

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports that the Rays have signed Matt Moore to a five-year, $14 million contract.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times says the deal also includes three club options from 2017-19 that could raise the total value of the contract to $37.5 million over eights years, and there are also escalators that could push it past $40 million. It's always a risk to lock up anyone this young, especially a pitcher, but these kind of deals very often turn out to be club-friendly if the player cashes in on their potential. Moore, 22, has thrown just 9 1/3 career innings aside from his two postseason starts, but he's viewed as the best pitching prospect in the game

Are you kidding me? $14 million? You see this after all the ridiculous oversignings and realize why Tampa continues to compete on a shoestring budget. Major kudos to this team. They'd better never let that GM go.

John Fay of the Cincinnati Inquirer reports that the Reds have had "ongoing talks" with the Rays about their pitching and that the Reds are "likely targeting" James Shields.

Fay also mentions that Wade Davis and Jeff Niemann could be on the Reds' radar, as well, and adds that the Reds' top two trade chips, Yonder Alonso and Yasmani Grandal, would be fits for the Rays. It might take more than that to get Shields, but the Reds probably aren't willing to part with Devin Mesoraco. The Rays have insisted that Shields isn't going anywhere, but they'll listen to all offers.

Maybe Votto isn't necessary. Alonso and Grandal could be filling needs in Tampa, no?

 

[Eephus]

From Rotoworld

Votto available. Would the Rays be able to afford his 17 million contract in 2013? Makes 9.5 million next year.

Would have to give up a stud pitcher, obviously, but Votto would transform that lineup.

I would love to see them pull off a trade of Big Game James and something else for Votto. Instant contenders.This is incredible...

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports that the Rays have signed Matt Moore to a five-year, $14 million contract.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times says the deal also includes three club options from 2017-19 that could raise the total value of the contract to $37.5 million over eights years, and there are also escalators that could push it past $40 million. It's always a risk to lock up anyone this young, especially a pitcher, but these kind of deals very often turn out to be club-friendly if the player cashes in on their potential. Moore, 22, has thrown just 9 1/3 career innings aside from his two postseason starts, but he's viewed as the best pitching prospect in the game

Are you kidding me? $14 million? You see this after all the ridiculous oversignings and realize why Tampa continues to compete on a shoestring budget. Major kudos to this team. They'd better never let that GM go.

It's basically the same deal they gave Wade Davis to lock in the their pre-arb and arbitration years and give the team options on the first couple of free agent years. It's good for Tampa if the pitchers reach their potential and risk mitigation for the pitchers if they get hurt or flame out.

 

[Premier]

God Bless this franchise.