Rays

Left fielder Carl Crawford this season is "hitting" .235 AVG/.272 OBP/.328 SLG against left-handed pitching, which simply won't do. So the Rays badly need a right-handed platoon partner for Crawford. Fortunately for them, it's not hard to find corner outfielders who crush lefties, and they've got plenty of minor-league depth from which to deal.

So now we need to platoon Crawford instead of RF??? WTF?? Guy has a "bad" first half and we need to find someone else.....His first half wasn't that bad anyway, just not what we're used to from him. What the hell is this guy on???

Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post has a handful of Rockies rumors today.

• Saunders believes the Phillies' spent too much prospect capital on Joe Blanton to be able to acquire Brian Fuentes.  He says the Rays, Yankees, and Mets are still in the mix for Fuentes.
• The Rays are interested in two other Rockies: Clint Barmes and Willy Taveras.  Unexpected targets...what do you think?  Would Barmes be an upgrade at shortstop?

First trade attempt for Holliday fails. Not sure who it was, most likely A's. Reportedly the Rays have inquired about both Willie Mo Pena and Marcus Thames if they cannot land Nady or Murton. Not hot on either one but they are both RH with some good power if they play regularly. Thames actually having a decent year but Tigers looking to go diff. direction and Pena is basically being pushed out in Wash. so either may come relatively cheap. Any thoughts??

 as opposed to Sexson. They may even consider signing both. Dodgers and D-Backs also listed as other possible destinations. Rays mentioned as a "good" place for him because if he could help the Rays make the playoffs, it would help his image. It would also generate fan interest as he chaces 2,000 RBI and 3,000 hits. Check out article on Fox Sports if you haven't already. BTW Buster Olney has said the Pirates asking price for Nady is WAY high right now but thinks the Rays may wait it out and try to get him right at trade deadline if he's still available because that's who they really covet. If not he said they are likely to try and get Matt Murton for Niemann and another lower level arm.

Hank to Rays fans: "Better be careful"

It seems just a tad ironic, but Hank Steinbrenner, who runs the Yankees, believes Rays fans are too arrogant.

“There’s a lot of excitement around here from the Rays fans but almost to a point of arrogance,” the Tampa resident told USA Today. “They better be careful. They’ll learn this (expletive) can change real quick.”

Some Rays seemed amused.

Top officials declined to comment, and manager Joe Maddon said he’s glad they have excited fans and are getting new ones. “I just love the fact that they’re there; that they’re recognizing us; that they’re starting to show up,” he said.

As for Steinbrenner (who also reiterated his belief that low-revenue teams such as the Rays should thank the Yankees for subsidizing them)? “He’s the owner of that ballclub,” Maddon said. “And whatever he wants to say, I’m fine with it.”

Posted by Marc Topkin at 8:51:53 AM on July 11, 2008

And lord knows most Yankee fans are mild mannered and down to earth!!!......

No one else in the division is playing great right now thank god, but the offense is hurting. Just don't know what they're waiting for. They don't even seem to be actively pursuing anyone to be honest. We've thrown some great ideas out there as fans...Murton, Street, Bay,Nady,Holiday, Fuentes..even heard Nats may be shopping Milledge. Hell, call up a prospect and try to pass Gomes through waivers and send his ass down!!! Have heard some great trade ideas..If you guys see it then how come the front office doesn't???

Hoping that the Orioles hang on against Boston because we are having some SERIOUS offensive problems right now. Pena is starting to hit but rest of the team isn't. We had all the momentum in the world after Red Sox series and first 3 against Royals and we have completely blown it. I guess all the nay sayers got into their heads after all and now it's gonna get worse. 5 losses in a row, they're choking..the season's over, they're back to the old Rays..That's surely the kind of stuff that we'll hear. IF we end up in the Playoffs we'd better hope we have home field and the other team doesn't have a bunch of quality lefties or it'll be a short party. We need a right handed power bat NOW!!!

PULL THE TRIGGER BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE TO!!!

The Rockies have 2 players the Rays could DESPERATELY use to put them in the chase as legitimate WORLD SERIES contenders. They have already shown a great deal of interest in Brian Fuentes so why not try and fill all their needs in 1 trade. Matt Holliday is available for a top minor league prospect and 2 veterans they can play now. I suggest they try and work a package deal including Gomes and maybe Jeff Niemann to start with. Gomes would probably flourish in Colorado and despite him not producing I like the guy too damn much to continue watching him flouder here. He just isn't a good fit for the team other than being the "enforcer"..This isn't hockey though so I'll throw that argument out...I realize they prize their prospects but Holliday is young and an amazing talent that I'm sure they could lock into a long term deal because of the fact the team will become a perennial contenders with him and Tampa is a great area to live in. These would be good selling points.Would love to keep Baldelli if he recovers because he'd make a hell of a fourth outfielder and DH. Could play him 3-4 games a week to spell DH and other outfielders and not tax his stamina. Also we've got Hinske who can play 3-4 positions so he's a good utility infielder/outfielder/Dh too.So to have an outfield of Crawford, Upton and Holliday and add Fuentes to the pen along with getting Percival and Reyes back probably gets us atleast a division title if not a pennant and ring!!!Let me know what you all think and please be gentle..lol

BTW I've been a Rays fan from the get go..not another bandwagoner, just want to make that VERY clear.