Tampa Bay Rays Thread

[THEBOSS84]

If it's only money, there's no reason for them to do it in the first place.

Well risking $3m a year for 6 yrs surely isn't a risk the Yankees wouldn't be willing to take. It sure beats paying Joba or Phil $10 mil in arbitration one year down the line.

[Jace]

Yeah, if Longoria just manages to stay healthy (not so easy) he's probably going to regret those option years. Weird gamble, but it seems like the Rays get more upside out of it than Longoria

[YanksFan1992]

Tampa claimed Dan Johnson from Oakland to be a DH today.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/hea...aspx?sport=MLB

[SoCal Pinstriper]

Evan Longoria signs a nine year extension, 6 yrs guaranteed, 2013-2016 options.

Money not reported (I'm watching Rays broadcast).

ST. PETERSBURG — Rookie third baseman Evan Longoria and the Tampa Bay Rays agreed Friday to a $17.5 million, six-year contract, a deal that could be worth up to $44.5 million over nine seasons.

Taken third overall in the 2006 amateur draft, Longoria appeared in just six major league game before agreeing to the deal. If he isn't sent down to the minors again, he would be guaranteed $19 million.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/s...sBaseball/home

[cliftonite]

No way I sign that contract if Im Longoria....

[YanksFan1992]

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/hea...aspx?sport=MLB

Rays have acquired OF Gabe Gross from Milwaukee for RHP Josh Butler

[b-ball-lunachick]

Reading this article, you can't help but feel sorry for Kazmir...good old Rays.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[b-ball-lunachick]

We're still less than a month in but it's amazing to me that Tampa's bullpen has the lowest ERA in the majors (2.49)...Percival's only pitched 7 innings but he has 3 saves and only gave up one hit...

The rest of the AL East ranks:

#5 Toronto (3.27 ERA)
#9 Baltimore (3.5)
#14 Yankees (3.82)
#24 Red Sox (5.03)

[killa3312]

We're still less than a month in but it's amazing to me that Tampa's bullpen has the lowest ERA in the majors (2.49)...Percival's only pitched 7 innings but he has 3 saves and only gave up one hit...

The rest of the AL East ranks:

#5 Toronto (3.27 ERA)
#9 Baltimore (3.5)
#14 Yankees (3.82)
#24 Red Sox (5.03)

They made some sneaky quiet moves in the offseason in signing Miller (a very good lefty specialist) and Percival. Additionally, Wheelr has bounced back thus far from an off year and is looking like the pitcher of old. They have talent in their pen this year, unlike last season.

It's pretty amazing that Tampa is .500 with all the injuries they've had. Once Kazmir and Garza get back, Tampa is going to make a run at 80 wins this season. Nothing special, but a big step forward for them. This team has some real legitimate talent

[shotz]

Thank You Tampa

[jbauer2485]

We're still less than a month in but it's amazing to me that Tampa's bullpen has the lowest ERA in the majors (2.49)...Percival's only pitched 7 innings but he has 3 saves and only gave up one hit...

The rest of the AL East ranks:

#5 Toronto (3.27 ERA)
#9 Baltimore (3.5)
#14 Yankees (3.82)
#24 Red Sox (5.03)

It isn't that surprising to me, they've actually got some good relievers, Wheeler for one.

[Sixty one]

Great job this first month of the new baseball season. Hopefully, Tampa can now compete and beat the Red Sox and Blue jays.....just so they don't beat up our Yankees.

[Sixty one]

Hey Tampa!.....enough already. Stop beating up on my yanks and save those last minute victories against Boston and the rest of the league.

[The FUTURE]

and too think, they have a lot more talent waiting to come up in the minors over the next couple years.

[YanksFan1992]

Tampa Bay has signed Kazmir to a 3 year extension.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Hea...=MLB&hl=237642

[SoCal Pinstriper]

Owner Stuart Sternberg is not going to remain at Tropicana Field through 2027, the final year of the Rays' lease. He made that clear just about a year ago this week when he said the stadium was nearly obsolete.
So figure out for yourself where this story goes if the waterfront proposal doesn't reach referendum, or isn't approved by city voters.
Sternberg will take it as an indication the city isn't committed to the Rays. Whether that is fair is not really the point. The reality is he will have 10 years of poor attendance, a mediocre building and a rejection by the community, and that will be more than enough for Major League Baseball to consider this a failing location.
Does that mean Sternberg would have an army of lawyers seeking ways to break the lease for a possible move to Charlotte or Portland? The closer we get to the stadium's debt service being paid off in 2017, the more plausible that prospect will seem. Does it mean Sternberg will talk to investment bankers about selling the team? That's harder to imagine but, like Lightning owner Bill Davidson, he is an out-of-town businessman with no loyalties here.

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseb...icle508958.ece

[Prison Mike]

I really wish the Rays weren't in the AL East. They'd be a fun team to track a root for.

[Sixty one]

The fact that they are nine games over five hundred they should be drawing at least 25 thou a game. When are their fans going to wake up and realize that they may have a team that is on the rise and could be threatening the Yanks and Red Sox??

[ChewieTobbacca]

10 games above .500 now? Pretty amazing. They could go for 90 wins

[bobbymagee]

10 games above .500 now? Pretty amazing. They could go for 90 wins

90 wins.....mmmmmmm. Nice optimism. I'd think around 82 to 85 at the most.

[NZ NYY Fan]

I really wish the Rays weren't in the AL East. They'd be a fun team to track a root for.

I very much agree. Instead I wish the yankees had their first baseman, and a couple of their starting pitchers, and price in the minors

[YanksFan1992]

Bad news for the Rays, as their closer Troy Percival is headed to the 15 day DL.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/hea...aspx?sport=MLB

[just-blaze]

This team is unstoppable.....

[THEBOSS84]

First Percival and now Pena:

The St. Petersburg Times reports that the Rays will place Carlos Pena on the disabled list with a fractured left finger.

Pena suffered the injury when he was hit by a pitch in his first at-bat on Tuesday. He stayed in the game and doubled and homered, but apparently the injury is serious enough to merit a trip to the disabled list. The Rays are expected to recall outfielder Justin Ruggiano, and Eric Hinske will likely see increased time at first base. Jun. 4 - 4:28 pm et

[YASS]

First Percival and now Pena:

Wow. I got home late and missed the HBP, but I saw the double and HR. There was zero indication he was hurting during those at-bats. Both balls were crushed.

[fredgmuggs]

BJ Upton sure is smooth in the outfield.

[Eldee5]

There seems to be some good news for Rocco Baldelli, who is one of my favorite players:

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseb...icle619525.ece

ROCC-ING ON: OF Rocco Baldelli played in the final extended spring training game Wednesday in St. Petersburg, going 0-for-5, and said he feels good enough to join a minor-league team.

"This is probably the first time since the beginning of spring training where I actually felt that I was going to be coming back and playing," Baldelli told the Associated Press. Baldelli, 26, has been sidelined with a rare disorder that causes muscle fatigue in his legs.

[b-ball-lunachick]

There seems to be some good news for Rocco Baldelli, who is one of my favorite players:

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseb...icle619525.ece

that is great news. I always liked him a lot too..

I read somewhere that he's been told it's a mitochondrial disorder..didn't know too much about it but it doesn't sound like a great thing to have...

http://www.medicinenet.com/mitochond...se/article.htm

[Prison Mike]

ESPNews reports that Griffey is considering waiving his NTC for the Rays.

[Brooklyn Yankee Fan]

ESPNews reports that Griffey is considering waiving his NTC for the Rays.

I just saw that.

Pretty interesting to say the least, but I don't know if the Rays would be willing to pay.

[Bronson'sCornrows]

Is veteran leadership overrated, or would this be the type of move that solidifies the locker room and boosts the Rays to their first playoff berth? I really don't think it will happen, but could make things very interesting if it does.

[NYYDragoon]

Griffey's agent says it's not true:

Griffey's agent, Brian Goldberg, told MLB.com on Sunday that he didn't know where the story came from.

"Nobody has mentioned anything to Junior or I," Goldberg said. "It's got to be a media member thinking out loud."

Goldberg added that no trade proposals have been brought to Griffey [...].

Full Story

[gold23]

Be curious to see what Griffey could bring to the Reds in a package. As a Yankee fan, I'd probably be happy with this type of deal as I think Griffey is close to the end.

[BronxBombersMRP]

I just heard that as well about Griffey. It would be interesting to see how that goes. I know he's passed his prime but he would def be a big asset to the Rays, which is the last thing the Yankees need as they try to make up some games in the east.

[In Mo I Trust]

Why would the Rays give up anything of value for Griffey?

[gold23]

I hope it happens. Have to assume the Reds wouldn't simply give him away- especially in June- so I imagine that there would be some prospect exchange in there. I honestly do think that Griffey is a shell of himself and can absolutely be pitched to. In fact, I might prefer facing Griffey than a guy he would replace (say Hinske, who owns a bunch of Yanks anyway).

[YanksFan1992]

Not only are the Rays up 7-0 in the third against Pittsburgh, but they got Carlos Pena back from the DL as well.

[BigCheese]

Does anybody know how far along David Price is (their #1 draft pick from last year)? Is he likely to join the team this year? Here's his description from Wikipedia:

"Price throws a fastball that maintains 94-97 mi/hr (151-156 km/h) and peaks at 99 mi/hr (159 km/h) with good tailing action from right-handed batters. His best pitch, however, is a slider that averages 87mph with a very late and sharp break."


If they get a Joba-like arm in their bullpen, they could really challenge for the division title.

[tdel23]

I didn't hear the whole thing but Kay last night said he is on an innings limit this year and there is talk of putting him in their pen for the 2nd half of the year.

[b-ball-lunachick]

Does anybody know how far along David Price is (their #1 draft pick from last year)? Is he likely to join the team this year? Here's his description from Wikipedia:

"Price throws a fastball that maintains 94-97 mi/hr (151-156 km/h) and peaks at 99 mi/hr (159 km/h) with good tailing action from right-handed batters. His best pitch, however, is a slider that averages 87mph with a very late and sharp break."


If they get a Joba-like arm in their bullpen, they could really challenge for the division title.

I heard someone being interviewed the other day (Gammons maybe?) and he said they were hoping to bring him up in August...I don't think they have a definitive timetable yet..

I watched him pitch against the Yankees in Spring Training and the guy has a very very live arm.

[DaSh 1s]

I was looking through the Rays website today and looking through their shop. It is amazing to see how much different of a franchise they are. They do not have one replica jersey with a name on the back. Not one T shirt with a name on the back. The only Player jerseys you can buy are a authentic Upton or Longoria jersey for 250 dollars a piece. Not to mention only four different T shirts!! Have a look yourself:

http://shop.mlb.com/family/index.jsp...300&cp=2929293

[b-ball-lunachick]

I was looking through the Rays website today and looking through their shop. It is amazing to see how much different of a franchise they are. They do not have one replica jersey with a name on the back. Not one T shirt with a name on the back. The only Player jerseys you can buy are a authentic Upton or Longoria jersey for 250 dollars a piece. Not to mention only four different T shirts!! Have a look yourself:

http://shop.mlb.com/family/index.jsp...300&cp=2929293

Even more surprising when we were at the Trop this year, they were selling almost as much Yankee stuff as Rays stuff.

[YASS]

Even more surprising when we were at the Trop this year, they were selling almost as much Yankee stuff as Rays stuff.

I bought my son his favorite David Ortiz 3/4 sleeve t-shirt at the Trop. It was a bargain, too.

[NZ NYY Fan]

I'm happy they are beating the sox.
Jeez - look at that Rotation - Shields, Garza, and Kazmir this series, then Jackon and Sonnastine.
It may be the best rotation in baseball at the moment
Pena has hardly given them anything, and they are 51-32.

Lose Troy Percival, and Grant Balfour steps up nicely today.

its all pitching - Navarro is the only regular hitting over .300. I reckon their hitting must be timely, unlike ours. Longaria is the main power threat, and will win Rookie of the year most likely.

If only we could win to captilise on their success.

[YanksFan1992]

Troy Percival has been placed on the DL.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Hea...=MLB&hl=242713

[blumj]

Troy Percival has been placed on the DL.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Hea...=MLB&hl=242713

They probably still have as good a bullpen as anyone even without him.

[Sixty one]

Too bad Rocco Baldelli is missing all the fun that his Rays are having. I feel sorry for him that he can't be part of this team.

[WebsterMulligan]

The Rays are for real.

Question is, can they win at Fenway?

[BigCheese]

I have to admit... I enjoy watching them play, particularly when they're beating up on the Red Sox.

Don't get me wrong, though. I want the Yankees to crush the everytime.

[Tabata]

There sure are a lot of Rays games live over here now.