The dude is absolutely raking in Port Charlotte. Granted, he has only played 6 games, but he is still smoking hot down there. A nice line of .458/.950/1.408 is dope. Not to mention that he has 3 jacks. Man, this got me thinking about how great the Rays look in the Kazmir deal. Alex Torres has pitched very well in his two starts in Montgomery. I salivate just thinking about Torres and Hellickson on the same Durham staff. Oh, and we can't forget about that Rodriguez guy, either. Again, this 3-for-1 trade for Kazmir is really looking brilliant from a Rays standpoint.

 

The Rays are in trade talks -- albeit minor -- with the Pirates. According to Dejan Kovacevic, it could be for Virgil Vasquez. I know Vasquez pitched in both relief and in the starting rotation last season with the Buccos. I am uncertain of the splits he had while starting and relieving last year with the Pirates. Who would the Rays give up to acquire Vasquez? Cash? PTBNL? Helliott Johnson? No se. We shall see what comes of this.

http://twitter.com/Dejan_Kovacevic

 

According to Topkin, Wade Davis is named the team's 5th starter. The Ping Pong Champion is sent to the bullpen. Weeeeeee! This was obviously expected, especially after it was announced that Howell will miss at least the first month of the Regular Season. Let's hope Davis replicates his performance at the end of last season (sans the start in Boston, of course).

 

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/content/rhp-wade-davis-named-rays-fifth-starter-rhp-andy-sonnanstine-moves-bullpen

I went to tonight's Stone Crabs game down in Port Charlotte. I went to see Melvin in his last appearance before he heads back with the big boys on Monday. I am so stoked. Anyway, here are some photos of Bossman Junior.

Here's Upton heading to the clubhouse after the game.

Upton warming up before the game starts.

Bossman in the field.

B.J. at the plate.

Upton takes his lead off of 1st.

Upton sliding into 2nd.

Ryan Royster playing catch with Upton. He was the DH in tonight's game.

Upton on 1st.

Upton looking into the dugout.

Upton about to take his lead off of 1st.

My favorite picture of the night.

Ryan Royster, B.J. Upton, and Reid Fronk.

Ryan Royster, B.J. Upton, and Reid Fronk.

Upton at the plate.

Upton is about to take off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a video of Jason Isringhausen warming up in the bullpen in today's game against the Reds. He actually looked pretty good. This will be my last video of the night. Haha. For those of you who haven't seen Izzy pitch this spring, you should enjoy it. It's obviously just a bullpen session, but he was hitting his spots, for the most part, with his fastball. I wish they had a radar gun in the bullpen. I was curious to see how hard he was throwing. Anyway, here's the video. Enjoy!

 

 

Drew

 

This was easily the best highlight of the day for my friend and I. This drunk girl comes over to the bullpen where Balfour is warming up. She just starts yelling stuff at him. By stuff, she keeps telling him how hot he is. How much he has a nice ass. Balfour, meanwhile, doesn't even acknowledge her. She just keeps talking. Finally, Balfour has had enough. He just stares her down. It was so classic. Like I said, it was easily the highlight of the day. Here, my friends, is the video:

 

 

 

Drew

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a few pictures from today's game in Port Charlotte. I have a ton more, but it would have taken me forever to post them all. If you guys want more photos, just let me know. I will be more than glad to post more photos. I am just trying to get to 75 words. This takes time. It was very windy today. The drive from Tampa is not that bad. It seems as though the park is in the middle of no where; that's for sure. The park is awesome, though. It's much better than Al Lang. Am I at 75 words? I had no idea. Let's give this a try.

 

Drew

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Also, Ryu was claimed by the Padres. I don't think I am going to be able to sleep tonight. :(


Per the Heater:

The Rays avoided arbitration with RHP Grant Balfour on Thursday, agreeing to a one-year, $1.4-million deal.

Balfour made $500,000 in a breakout 2008 season that began with him in the minors,  going 6-2 with a 1.54 ERA, four saves and 82 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings, emerging as one of the top relievers in the league.

The Rays have three remaining arbitration eligibles – INF Willy Aybar, SS Jason Bartlett, and C Dioner Navarro.