Archive for March 5th, 2007

Mar 05

Reds Likely To Start Producing Josh Hamilton Jerseys Any Day Now

Josh Hamilton, Too early to open a beer? Cork Gaines No Comments »


The Rays still have plenty of their own questions as they enter the first full week of Spring Training games. However, there was one question lingering out there in the minds of many Rays fans and it involved a player in a different organization all together. This past off-season, the Chicago Cubs selected Josh Hamilton from the Rays in the Rule 5 draft and then traded him to the Cincinnati Reds. At the time, most thought that it would be a long shot, at best, for Hamilton, the former first overall pick (1999) to make the Reds’ 25-man roster. We are talking about a player that has only played 15 games since 2002 (all at short season low-A Hudson Valley) and has only played 23 career games above A-ball. Most thought that Hamilton would find his way back to the Rays or the two teams would work out a trade so that the Reds could send him to the minors for further seasoning. At the very least we assumed this would be underlying storyline throughout Spring Training with the final decision coming down to the last round of cuts by the Reds.

Well, the Reds are four games into their Spring schedule and the story may be a non-story already as Hamilton is tearing up the Grapefruit league. He has 9 hits in his first 16 at bats with 2 doubles and his first home run since 2002, a 500′ game-winner versus the Pirates, that cleared the batter’s eye in center field. We admit that we were a bit torn about the Hamilton situation. We are always for the team before the player, but we do have a soft spot for Josh Hamilton. Part of us wanted him to fail so that we could get him back, but another part of us smiles every time we see a Reds box score and Hamilton has multiple hits. The Rays have three young and extremely talented outfielders already in place. We are not saying that down the road Hamilton could not have been better than one or more of the starters, but it is not a position that the Rays are desperately looking to fill.

The complaint, and it is a legitimate one, is that the Rays lost Hamilton with anything to show for their investment. Not a single major league at bat. Not even a player to be named later. Should Hamilton have been protected on the 40-man roster? Hindsight says yes, but after his performance and injury at low-A Hudson Valley last summer, nobody could have seen this performance coming so soon.

Many Rays fans were still holding out hope and until the final 25-man rosters are announced many will be watching the Reds situation closely. That door is shutting fast and Josh is firmly entrenched on the other side.

[Update: Josh has a single and a walk in his first two plate appearances this afternoon and will likely be in the starting lineup tomorrow at Prospect Energy Park against the Rays]
[Update 2: Now it looks like Josh will not even make the trip to St. Pete tomorrow]

Mar 05

Throwing Bossman Junior Upton Back Into The Fire

BJ Upton, Joe Maddon Cork Gaines No Comments »


Today the Rays take their 1-2 Spring Record into Prospect Energy Park against the Twins. Papa Joe Maddon is marching out the B-Squad, with only Jorge Cantu and Jonny Gomes as regulars making the start today (once again we can’t mention one without the other this Spring. Jorge and Jonny are like peas and carrots). What we really like about the lineup, and the reason that we are even mentioning it, is that B. J. Upton is leading off and playing shortstop. After yesterday’s two error performance (both throwing errors from third base), Maddon could have taken a couple of different paths with Upton today. With all the emphasis this Spring on getting Upton to settle down at the plate, Maddon could have DH’d Upton and given his mind a break from the field. He could have also just given the youngster the day off to just relax. He could have even had Upton in center field this afternoon with less pressure to perform defensively. Papa Joe chose door #4…shortstop. Instead of trying to ease the kid’s mind after what was certainly a very frustrating afternoon, Maddon is going right back to Upton, and he has him penciled in at the one position that he has experienced the most difficulties. It is a sign that Maddon still believes in Upton, but he also wants Upton to put yesterdays performance behind him as soon as possible. The risk is that Upton commits one or two more errors this afternoon which would raise red flags. More struggles in the field could also lead to more pressure at the plate with Upton feeling the need to overcompensate for his miscues.

Mar 05

The Hangover: When Ozzie Smith Dies He Will Roll Over In His Grave

JK Ryu, Joe Maddon, Josh Paul, Shawn Riggans, The defense was offensive Cork Gaines 1 Comment »

  • Last year the Rays struggled in a number of areas on their way to 101 losses. Let’s take a look at how those struggles have translated to the first few games of the Spring.
    1. Bullpen blows leads? Check
    2. Starting pitchers throw too many pitches keeping them from working deep in games? Check
    3. Offensive struggles? Check
Well at least the defense has played better…What was that? Six errors yesterday? All-time team record for Spring Training or regular season? Nevermind.
  • Jae-Kuk Ryu may have taken an early lead in the fight for the 5th spot in the rotation surrendering only a single in two shutout innings against the Jays.
  • Papa Joe Maddon says that Shawn Riggans can “absolutely make the team” as the backup catcher. We assume by “absolutely” he means “if Rigo can hit .600 with 10 home runs in Spring Training and Josh Paul loses two limbs.” The starting catcher for the Rays is only 23 years old. A team with such a young pitching staff and a young catcher can only benefit from having a veteran backup catcher. The pitchers will learn more. Dioner Navarro will learn more. Paul is not the biggest threat with the stick off the bench but he is serviceable and when Navarro needs rest it will benefit the team to have a veteran in his place.
  • Papa Joe is infatuated with the defensive skills of Joel Guzman if not so much in love with his bat. The indication is that his days in the outfield are probably over and if Guzman can ever lose the gigantic holes in his swing and develop some more bat speed, his future in the majors is probably at third base.