SB Nation User Blog: BarryDeJay33

Hunt for October: Can the Mets pull it off?

BarryDeJay33 — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:43:29 -0000

With a one game lead over the Phillies in the NL East and the next seven games on the road, the Mets certainly dont have an easy road into the playoffs. Despite the fact the next seven are against the Nats and Braves, the Mets have struggled to get the job done against the scum of the NL East. This past weekend the Braves took two of three from the Amazin's and they certainly had their problems against the Nats. If the Mets have any hope of making the playoffs, the bulpen must step up. Despite the struggles, I strongly believe that the Mets can get the job done with guys they have. Although he blew the lead yesterday new closer Luis Ayala has been pretty solid and has been the key to the Mets late season serge. Along with the MVP Carlose Delgado, Ayala has closed out games that would have been lost by the likes of Aaron Heilman. With the 40 man roster, the Mets have more than enough to get the job done in the bulpen as Joe Smith and Duaner Sanchez have found their stride (its about time). Despite his recent struggles rookie Brian Stokes has been dominant and has filled a huge hole. Also lurking are the likes of Al Reyes and Juan Rincon who are proven guys. Dont be suprised to see the Mets in this years as well as being a tough team to beat with strong bats and dominant starting pitching.

Poll

Can the Mets make the playoffs with the bulpen they have?

Yes

9 votes

No

14 votes

23 votes | Poll has closed

NBA to Europe Is this the Birth of a New Movement?

BarryDeJay33 — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:43:23 -0000

With the dollar in decline and the euro on the way up, NBA players are now considering leaving the NBA for Europe. 7 players have made the transition this offseason alone and several others are considering this decision.

The latest to make the jump is former Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Childress who received a three year contract worth $20 million to play for the Olympiakos of Greece. Surprisingly Childress passed up a 5 year, $34 million deal to stay in Atlanta. Josh's decision to pass on the deal makes a statement on how European franchises are in a much better place than some NBA organizations such as the Hawks. Childress was no star in the NBA however he will feel the pressure from day one as he will viewed as a step above because of his play in the world's best basketball league. The main difference between the two leagues is that European franchises are much steadier than NBA franchises and the turn on for players is that their team can be competitive every year as oppose to going through a rebuilding stage.

Speaking of NBA franchises trying to rebuild, the New Jersey Nets have made many offseason moves including trading former star Richard Jefferson for Yi and Bobby Simmons. Two players also leaving the team are foward Bostjan Nachbar and center Nenad Krstic. The two head back to Europe where they got their original start. In my opinion I don’t understand why a guy like Krstic, a potential top NBA center would want to go back to Europe when the game is much more appreciated and competitive in the States. Nachbar I can understand because he was just an average player but in Europe he is a top flight player. Krstic's thinking could be go to Europe improve then come back however no matter what European league you play in the NBA will always have the advantage.

Other players making the jump are former Raptors Jorge Garbajosa, Carlos Delfino, and Primoz Brezec all of who were average NBA players. The only benefit I see here is for average NBA players to make the jump to Europe and hone their skills then attempt to come back and try the NBA again. But I feel as though those years lost are too valuable to give up because the nature of the NBA is different than Europe. It will be interesting to see if this jump from the NBA to Europe becomes a new fad or if it was just another surprise in the sports world of 2008

Poll

Do you think players are making the right decision by leaving the NBA and going to Europe?

Yes

14 votes

NO

6 votes

20 votes | Poll has closed

From Worst to First The Story of the Tampa Bay Rays

BarryDeJay33 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 22:59:06 -0000

After finishing in the basement of the AL East with a 66-96 record, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays were once again left with a bitter taste in their mouths as they posted yet another dreadful season. That was the last straw as change was needed now more than ever. The first move came with the ever so subtle change of name. No longer would they be known as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays but rather the Tampa Bay Rays. Along with the name change came new jerseys which started to show that the Ray's wanted to clean themselves up and no longer be the laughing stock of baseball. This was just the first step that the Tampa Bay took to creating the best team in baseball. The time had finally come for this franchise to mature as they increased their payroll for the coming season and looked to make a big splash in the upcoming offseason.

They did just that as they made several key moves. The biggest and most important trade was the one that sent the infamous Delmin Young, Brendan Harris and Jason Pridie to Minnesota for pitcher Matt Garza, shortstop Jason Bartlett and Eduardo Morlan. Garza, who had now seemed much action in the Twin City, initially did not bring a lot of buzz. Along with Garza came Bartlett who was coming off his worse fielding season with 26 errors. For a guy that was known for his glove, Bartlett certainly had Tampa fans worrying. Overall, the trade was seen as huge mistake as fans believed the team was trading away a future star in Delmon Young who was coming off a solid season of 13 homers and 93 RBI's. At just 23 years old, Young looked to be a cornerstone of the franchise however, his 50 game suspension for throwing his bat at an umpire did not go over will in the Rays front office. Young's antics made the 2007 season that much worse and for that he was dealt to the Twin City. In addition to this deal the Rays signed veteran reliever Troy Percival with the hope that he could sure up a struggling bullpen. They also signed veteran Cliff Floyd who was coming off a less than impressive year in Chicago. Top prospect Evan Longoria was called up and given the starting job at the hot corner.

There was a lot of question about the 08 Rays because of their lack of production the previous year as well as the abundance of youth. Tampa Bay was making a run for the future with their moves, but no one thought that they would be this good this fast. So honestly how did it happen? The Tampa Bay Rays are having the season of their lives partially because of their moves but ultimately because of maturity. The team was finally beginning to grow up and get comfortable with their roles. Before the season even started the Rays were hit hard when ace Scott Kazmir went down with an elbow injury and starting outfielder Rocco Baldelli was put on the DL with metabolic abnormalities. The team had made so much progress already with a club record 18 spring training wins and to see it beginning to crumble before the season started was heartbreaking. However the Rays did not let this adversity bring them down as they won their first game of the year against the Baltimore Orioles. Behind the solid pitching of starter James Shields and timely hitting, they Rays found themselves above 500 for the first time years. Even though it was the first game of the year, it was still a positive lift for a franchise that had suffered for too long.

After 30 games the Rays were at 16-14, only two games behind first place on. From this point on the Rays began to make their run as they went a shocking 39-19 in their next 58 games. The reason, young players stepping up and maturing as well as veterans getting the job done. The leader of the young pool of players is top prospect is Evan Longoria who currently leads the team in home runs, runs batted in and slugging percentage. The 22 year has done all asked of him and more as he has led the Rays to the top of the league. Longoria is just one of the many Rays who have produced. Catcher Dioner Navarro is batting .313 and has been selected to the all star game, outfielder BJ Upton has stole his way to the league leaders in stolen bases with 32, and fellow outfielder Carl Crawford is posting very good numbers as well. Along with maturation, a key in the Rays success has been their versatility. When Longoria was named the starter at third, former starter Akinori Iwamura has transitioned over to second base where he has played tremendous defense with a fielding percentage of .993. Last year's starter at second BJ Upton was placed into the outfield where has been equally as impressive with a fielding percentage of .976. Having players that can play multiple positions, has been key in manager John Maddon's success as he has been able to put the right mix of guys on the field each game.

Position players are only one part of the mystery that is the Tampa Bay Rays season, the other is their pitching. The Rays have shocked the rest of the MLB with a combined staff ERA of 3.75. With the fall of Kazmir came the emergence of the rest of the staff. James Shields has posted a solid 9-7 record with a team leading 116 k's and 2 shut outs. Andy Sonnastine leads the team with a 10-6 record and is currently holds one of the best records in the league. Edwin Jackson has only a 7-7 record however has kept the team in games late with his ability to pitch consistently in the late innings. Finally Matt Garza who has been the biggest surprise with a 9-6 record. The four of them along with Kazmir who has come back nicely with a 8-5 record and just a 2.84 ERA and has been the underlying reason for the Ray's winning ways. That’s not all as another part of the remedy for winning has been the pen. Headed by Troy Percival and his 23 saves, this Tampa bullpen is determined to finish games as they have come through when called on. Guys like Dan Wheeler Trever Miller and JP Howell have come through when needed. Most recently the pen was challenged in a crucial series against the then first place Red Sox. They came through as each played a crucial part in the improbable three game sweep. Without this bullpen, the Rays would have never amounted to what they have thus far.

As the season winds to a close the Rays will begin to feel the pressure as they will be expected to keep to their ways. The questions will soon begin to swirl as this team is made up of many unproven players with no playoff experience. When hosting teams like the Red Sox or the Yankees late in the season, will the Rays be able to seal the deal and shut the door or will they crumble like everyone is waiting for them to? That question still remains to be seen, as for now the Rays are without question the most impressive and shocking story thus far in the season. With the best record in the majors, they are just 3 games away from eclipsing their total win mark last season. The Tampa Bay Rays are one of the most amazing comeback stories in sports as in an act reminiscent to the Boston Celtics they have worked their way from the bottom up and taken control of the league. With continued strong pitching and clutch hitting, the Rays will have no problem making the playoffs and even going far in October.

Is Boston Better Off Without Manny?

BarryDeJay33 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 21:38:16 -0000

The bitter sweet relationship between Manny Ramirez and the Boston Red Sox is finally over.

The future hall of famer is heading to Los Angeles Dodgers in a three team deal which sent Pirates outfielder Jason Bay to Boston and four minor leaguers to Pittsburgh. Ramirez will being going to a Dodger team that is looking for all the offensive help they can get as they rank close to last in all major offensive categories.

Ramirez, how has been involved in trade rumors the last few years, wore out his welcome in Boston as he became nothing but a problem with his latest Manny being Manny Stunts. Things such as dogging it on groundballs, refusing to play against Joba Chamberlain and rolling around in the outfield effectively ended Manny's career as a Red Sox.

"The Red Sox don't deserve a player like me," Ramirez told ESPNdeportes.com Wednesday. "During my years here, I've seen how they [the Red Sox] have mistreated other great players when they didn't want them to try to turn the fans against them.

Ramirez, 36 is hitting .299 with a team leading 20 home runs and 68 RBI's for Boston. Manny is thrown right into the thick of things as the Dodgers began the day 1 game back of the first place Arizone Diamondbacks.

As for the Red Sox, they acquire a player in Jason Bay who has very similar stats to Manny this year but comes without the baggage. For the first time in his career, Bay will be playing meaningful games as he leaves what is right now a dead franchise in the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jason will have big shoes to fill as he will be counted on from day one of his Red Sox career. The question will be can Jason Bay handle the pressure of playing in a big time market like Boston?

Forgotten in all this is the Pittsburgh Pirates who I believe made out very well in this deal by getting four top prospects. Coming for the Dodger organization are third baseman Andy LaRoche and right handed pitcher Bryan Morris. In a brief major league stint with the Dodgers, LaRoche was batting .203 with 2 homers and 6 RBI's however he shows great potential at age 24. Also coming along in the deal are Boston outfielder Brandon Moss and right hander Craig Hansen. Both Moss and Hansen are major league ready and should be help the struggling Pirates immediately

Now that you have the facts here is the breakdown. Boston gave up way to much in this deal as they dealt away one of the game’s best hitters and two top prospects in Moss and Hansen who looked to be major pieces in the Sox future. Manny was the glue that held the Sox lineup together as he protected David Ortiz in the three hole. Manny's departure leaves a big hole in the Sox's lineup as now Ortiz can be pitched around which means that guys like Bay, Youkilis and Lowell will be relied in clutch spots. The fact is that Manny was a main reason why the Sox won two World Series in the last four years and without him it seems unlikely they will reach that plateau this year.

The Dodgers come out the overall winners in this deal as they got the offensive weapon they needed in Manny Ramirez. Despite his poor fielding and over the top personality, Manny will produce without question as he will get a fresh start in Hollywood. Isn’t it ironic how Manny will now be playing for manager Joe Torre, former manager of Manny's former rival the Yanks. It funny how things work out sometime and this situation with Torre and Ramirez should be an interesting one. Also on the Dodger staff is third base coach Larry Bowa how is known for getting on players who don’t go all out. Look for Bowa to be the first one in Manny's face if he does not give it 100%.

As for the Pirates they come out of this deal with major league help now as well as prospects for the future. With no chance of making the playoffs this season, the Pirates are still rebuilding which makes it perfect for newly acquired Moss and Hansen to get the playing time they need to improve. As for LaRoche he also will benefit from this situation as he will get playing time which he never would have been able to get in LA until a few years.

Based on this trade I have a few bold predictions. The Los Angeles Dodgers will win the NL West over the D Backs if their pitching continues the way it has and the Boston Red Sox will not make the playoffs. With the surprise run of the Rays and Twins and the recent surge of the Yanks, I do not see the Sox being able to pull it out this year. Think about it how you would rather have bat with two outs in the bottom of the nine with the bases loaded down one run, Manny Ramirez or Jason Bay?

As I leave you with that thought be sure to check out the poll to the right as well as any comments you may have. Thank you SB Nation and enjoy the article as there will be many more to come on all things sports!

Poll

Will Boston regret trading Manny Ramirez?

Yes

20 votes

No

23 votes

43 votes | Poll has closed