I sh$t you not, this was on ESPN today:

"Yes, it's early, but seven games into the season B.J. Upton is just 7-for-28. Manager Joe Maddon isn't likely to make a move for a little while, giving Upton ample time to get things right at the plate, but how long can the Tampa Bay Rays wait?"

It's on "Insider"  so I don't want to post the entire article (copyright issues and all),  but wow.  Who would type this?  So hitting .250 and playing awesome defense through 7 games is grounds to be replaced these days?  I wonder if a retraction will be posted after Bossman's 2 HR's today...

The series with the Rangers is self-explanatory.  2 out of 3 is nice, but a sweep is what we really need (in my humble opinion).  What we need to do is clear, but we also need help.  Frankly, the team we want Boston playing is NY and we are getting our way.  If the Yanks can take this series, 2 out of 3, then I am offcially excited about our chances.  Go Yankees - ya, I said it.  I realize there is 25% of the season to go, but if Boston sweeps I will pretty much throw in the towel (I'll still go to the games and all, but you know...). 

GO RAYS!   I love meaningful baseball in late August.  Whatever happens, let's all be grateful we have a competitive team in our backyard.  This is fun and this is what makes baseball great. 

They are in section 123, Row 'H', seats 5 and 6.  The B-52's are playing after the game so...there's that.  Anywho, the seats are 7 rows from the field just beyond 3rd base.  You can stare at that dreamboat Evan Longoria all game.  Tickets are face value - $52 per ticket. 

Email me at Stpetelawyer@yahoo.com if you are interested.  I will be near the Trop at a party so I can meet you anywhere around there. 

It was pretty much a forgone conlcusion that Rickey was getting in to the Hall on his first try.  He is generally considered the best leadoff hitter in history.  But here's what I find odd - What did Jim Rice do in the last year to raise his Hall credentials?  How could a sports writer not feel that he was eligible last year and change his vote this year?  Did Rice hit a few more HR's when no one was looking?  The guy hasn't played in a LONG time so what could possibly have sent the percentage of "yes" votes over the 75% mark?  Yes, I get that the Hall of Fame is totally subjective and to look for reason or objectivity is futile, but it's just bothering me more than usual today. 

It's been exciting figuring out and arguing over who will be on the 25 man roster for the ALDS.  There is a good chance that the rosters will change a bit for the ALCS and World Series (Lord willing).  Do only players on the World Series roster get a ring if we win?  Do only players that took part in the playoffs get the honor?  What about Jonny Gomes?  What about other players that contributed during the season but weren't around at the end of the season?  Gary Glover?  Mike DiFilice?  Nathan Haynes?  What about players injured all year?  Chad Orvella?  I realize this is not that important in big scheme of things but I was just curious. 

I cannot wait to leave work tomorrow at noon and head straight to Fergs!  GO RAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think we should have a "Baldelli Watch 2008" section where we can see how Rocco did in his most recent rehab game.  I see he went 1-3 with a K and a BB in his first AA game.  I think that most people, while not optimistic about seeing #5 come back this year (or ever), are generally hopeful and like to follow his progress. 

As I said, just an idea.  If not, I may just post his stats in the fanshot section after each game. 

I was just checking the box score for Vero Beach and noticed that Baldelli hit a HR in his first ab today.  I know we've all been burned before with Rocco but it's hard not to get a bit encouraged by any positive news concerning him.  If he's nothing more than a right handed DH who occasionally plays the field he is still an upgrade from Gomes, right? 

Keep it up Rocco!  We'd love to see you at the Trop again!

but I am pretty happy with our team for 2008.  We have three fine young arms to handle the front end of the rotation.  We have plenty of capable pitchers to fight it out for the last two spots.  Our relief corps is completely revamped from the beginning of '07.  This team actually landed a good free agent closer?!  We have some good placeholders until the guys down on the farm are ready.  Players such as Brignac don't need to be rushed.  I think we can all agree that this is a "make it break it" year for Navi but as long as he is just average, our lineup is fine.  Also, maybe Dukes could surprise everyone and take over the rightfield job without any off the field "incidents."  I really do not see any glaring holes in the lineup or pitching staff.  I was curious to see if I was alone in my optimism.  Is this a .500 team even in the AL East?  

Apparently, Joe turned down a one-year deal to return as manager of the Yankees.  Hopefully, this will upset Jorge Posada soooooo much that he wants to re-sign with a team within the division to "get back" at the Yanks.  This notion of bringing in Posada has been discussed in other diary posts but I thought the Torre news might make it just a bit more possible.  

Um, why haven't we signed this guy yet?  He's the college player of the year and, you may have noticed, we kinda need pitching.  I'm hoping now that the trade deadline has passed the DRO does NOTHING but work on getting this deal done.  Pay the man his money!  This guy could easily be on the opening day roster, 2009.  Anyone got the inside scoop on these negotiations?  

On an equally important note, doesn't the devil ray logo in the upper left corner of this site kinda look like the Burger King guy?  

I'm curious how many fans out there are going to spend their dollars to see another last place team.  Personally, I love baseball and will always go to the Trop.  You have to wonder what the interest level will be though.  Will you still watch every single game?  Do the standings affect your interest in the team?  True "fans" will stay interested I'm guessing, but I can't fault anyone for dropping off.  Baseball, after all, is a competition.  If you can't compete, you have to question the purpose.  

It's sad, because I know so many people that would give a crap and show up to games if they were in the division race.  I've heard, "Oh, I'll show up when they give me a reason to."  I realize that these are "fair weather" fans, but teams need those fans too.  Those fans are actually earned, not just assumed like yours truly.  Anywho, as an escape from the Hellish day at work that awaits me, I figured I get everyone's opinion.

From what I've seen, there is a decent free agent crop of catchers available for '08.  I can't remember all of them, but Pudge and Lo Duca come to mind.  How much would it help this young pitching staff to have an established, veteran catcher behind the dish?  

Seeing as how we should have some cash available for free agents, I see catcher as the only non-pitcher position that needs a major upgrade.  That is, assuming Pena is for real.  Hell, let's even "overpay" for a catcher if we have to.  This is a glaring need.  The benefit we get will not only be seen in terms of batting average and RBI's.  No, having our young staff throwing to a catcher who knows the game and knows how to win will be invaluable to their growth.  

Any thoughts?

Now I am a loyal listener of 620, but am I the only one that finds it odd that none of their "talent" knows anything about baseball, with the exception of The Big Dog?  

Why they let Ian Beckles discuss the game at all is puzzling to me.  Today he was discussing the Cantu move and how it will hurt the team.  It was obvious that he knew very little about Cantu other than remembering a good offensive year awhile back.  That's not to say that if you think Cantu should have stayed with the team you don't know anything about baseball.  There was just no analysis there.  He can't name any of our young talent.  He wouldn't know Mitch Talbot or Reid Brignac if they fell out of a tree and landed on him.  Ron Diaz is a music DJ so I don't expect much out of him.  Actually, he seems more knowlegeable.

We are trying to build a fanbase here and these jokers are not helping.  I am not a Big Dog fan by any means, but I have to admit that I have learned quite a bit about hockey by listening to him.  He knows the game, it's history and traditions, and he educates the listeners.  How can the average fan get excited about a ball team with Ian ranting on and on about how he is sick of losing all the time and that the ownership is not to be trusted.  Back it up with some facts, man!  Tell us about how last year's trades will impact our future.  Tell us about the starting pitching we have lined up in AAA.  Tell us about how Cantu is such a liability in the field due to his VERY limited range.  Tell us about how our young pitching suffered so much last year due to crappy defense.  

Oh wait, YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ANY OF THAT!  

Not to go on and on, but I feel that local sports radio greatly impacts the fanbase.  Ian knows football and I enjoy him in the Fall.  He is completely useless over the Summer though...

So tell me what you all think of this idea.  I don't see him as a 1B (too good of an outfielder from what I hear).  Could we do a rotation in the DH position whereby all 4 outfielders could remain in the lineup everyday?  One day Crawford DH's and Dukes plays Left.  One day Baldelli DH's and Crawford plays Center, ect...

We wouldn't really lose anything defensively as all four are excellent OF'ers.  It might keep everyone a bit fresher (very important for Baldelli).  Also, I realize that Delmon and Dukes need playing time in the OF, but getting major league AB's seem more important.  Also, they would be out in the field 3 out of every 4 games.  

Potential problems - lack of consistency.  Players like to know where they will be day in and day out.  Also, Crawford doesn't like playing CF from what I hear.  But Dukes has played CF before so that may be a moot point.  

What to do with Gomes?  1B or nothing.  I love Johnny's spirit and hustle but we have 4 outfielders that can hit for power and average.  They all should be allowed to produce.  Trade Gomes for a reliever if possible.  His lack of defense makes him the odd man out (again, if 1B doesn't work).    

So, am I crazy or does this make sense?  

With Jeff Kent looking to end up on the DL with his latest oblique injury, might Lugo look like a good option for the Dodgers?  They need infielders.  One problem I see is that they are starting to fall out of contention.  Might they not want to add salary?  Also, who do they have left to trade us?  I don't know much about their young talent except for Jackson, Tiffany, Navarro...oh wait, we already got them.  

What does this mean for the Rays?  I'm guessing that Bankston is going to play 1B, right?  Upton seems to have 3B pretty well locked down for awhile.  Witt just destroyed the AAA all-star game.  The guy has the 2nd most HR's in all of the minor leagues.  Does that mean that he is getting called up?  Will we actually see some power out of the 1B position?  I don't see him as a savior by any means but certainly an upgrade.  Will Lee get released?  Upton and Witt at the corners is an exciting thought for later in the season.  The defense may suffer a bit but our lineup will be scary.  

Yes, I realize that it is way too early to get excited about this sort of thing but let's face it... it's pretty cool.  This guy owes the Rays quite a bit.  A year ago I never thought there was a chance of seeing Josh in a Ray uniform.  Now, there's a chance.  "A Ball" is a long way from the big leagues but it's a big step from "suspended indenfinately."  Let's all keep our fingers crossed.  

That is a headline on ESPN.COM.  When you click the link it reads "Insider Only."  Does anyone have ESPN Insider?  If so, what is this crap?  

Trading our best player would be a big step back for us.  His contract is no problem at all.  I realize that everyone has a price, even Kazmir I guess... but that price would be pretty darn high.  

Anyone have any inside info here?

Why is he a major league pitcher?  What has he done to deserve the number 2 slot in the rotation?  Has he really shown signs of getting better this year?  Do we have anyone in the minors who may do better?  

I mean, if he's a good prospect with a live arm why isn't he in the minors learning how to pitch?  

Do my eyes deceive me?  I just saw on ESPN 2 that our long lost prospect is allowed to play in extended spring training games.  I can't imagine they would allow this without the plan to permit him to play in minor/major league games soon.  Anyone have any inside scoop on this?  This kid's got Delmon Young's talent and a carrot where is brain is supposed to be but God, I'd love to see him play again ... or for the first time I guess.  

I consider myself a fairly knowledgeable baseball fan.  After the Baez - Jackson/Tiffany trade I was in favor of it.  Seemed like good financial sense as Baez was only around for one more year.  However, I'm starting to regret this trade.  

Our bullpen sucks - no big shock there.  We expected it to suck and it has lived up to expectation.  I think we have all learned how valuable a good closer is.  Our new ownership is desperate to get some new fans.  Dumping money into the "Can" is nice and free parking is a plus but we all know that the local fans won't support a loser (except for Sox and Yanks games).  

I estimate that Baez would be worth 3 to 4 more wins so far this year.  He is certainly not the best closer in the game but he is above average.  It may not seem like much, but 4 more wins would make us 17-15.  Then, instead of talking about how bad our bullpen sucks we would be talking about contending for a division.  

Realistically, we wouldn't be contending for a divison with Baez, but it would give the fans something to talk about.  A record above .500 at this point in the season would have the Bay area buzzing.  That is what the new ownership wanted - a buzz.  The future is nice and all but this season is crucial this franchise.  

My two cents...

Maybe I haven't been looking in the right places but it seems that there hasn't been much reporting on when Rocco is coming back.  What's the deal here?  Gathright is just killing us in centerfield.  I know he's blazing fast but his arm is pathetic.

With Crawford now injured we sure could use Rocco.  Any info on his return would be appreciated.  

that the Rays pulled off a major blockbuster trade.  We signed Lugo to a 3-year extension.  Then, we traded B.J. Upton and some other minor league talent to the Marlins for Dontrelle Willis.  Then, we signed Willis to an extension as well.  Willis and Kazmir became a dominating one/two punch and the Rays actually competed for a divison title.  

Wouldn't that be fun?  

-back to reality- Micelli just blew a save...

As I watched the destruction (once again) of our beloved Rays' pitching staff I had an interesting thought - Do we have one relief pitcher who could make the roster of another club?  At first glance you might think, "there has to be one."  But does there?  I don't think so.  How sad is that?  

Harper?  - come on!
Colome?  - funny
Orvella  - he didn't even make our roster!
Camp     - good ears but probably not
Lugo     - I like the kid but he's not ready
Meadows  - I know you're laughing...
Miceli   - maybe an argument, I don't know

There is a very good chance these guys could make NONE of the rest of the MLB rosters.  I'll pay for parking, just go out and buy a real freaking reliever!!!!! Oh, the game is called - name a Ray reliever worth a crap. Let's play...

It seems that the Cubs are the most likely trade partner with respect to Lugo.  Assuming, that is, that the Rays are prepared to give Upton the job.  Any idea as to whom the cubs might offer or whom we may go after?  Do the Cubbies have much in the way of pitching prospects?  Might they be interested in Huff as well?  

I tried going to a Cubs Blog site but I much prefer chatting w/ fellow Rays fans.  

The St. Pete Times is reporting that the Rays have interest in signing this strikeout king.  My first thought was - "why the hell would we do that?"  Upon further reflection, I like the idea.  It would only be a minor league deal/ invite to camp.  I think that a little competition for Burroughs for the starting 3rd base job is a good thing.  It may push him to succeed where just handing him the job may not.

What are people's thoughts on potentially signing Branyon?  

p.s. - I am from Cleveland and am all to familiar with this guy's ability to strike out and play a below average field.  

Is there a chance we can get in on this to get Marte?  I realize that Gathright is no Coco Crisp, but would a Lugo/Gathright for Marte trade fly?  

Lugo is a rental at this point.  We need to dump his salary and let Upton play.  Gathright is our sixth outfielder as far as I am concerned (time for Young to play).  Is this giving too much up for a prospect?  Maybe.  What are everyone's thoughts on this idea?  

Did anyone else hear Aubrey's "rant" on 97.9 FM this morning?  He went on and on about how the Blue Jays spent money to get better and about how the Orioles did the same last year.  He made it pretty clear that he wouldn't mind getting traded to a contender.  

Is there much of a market for him, 'cause after today I am not sure I want him on my team anymore.  He pretty much just bashed the organization.  He complained about getting booed last year.  He complained about there not being enough fans.  He complained about there being too many fans for other teams.  I say, let Young play right and Gomes DH.  There, no more need for Huff.  

Any thoughts?

P.S. - any one else notice his production fall off after drug testing took effect in the MLB.  There, I said it.  Now I feel better.