Archive for March 31st, 2007

Mar 31

Your 2007 Tampa Bay Devil Rays Roster

25-man Roster, BJ Upton, Elijah Dukes, Jonny Gomes, Jorge Cantu, Rocco Baldelli 1 Comment »

The Rays made it official today as Jorge Cantu was demoted to Durham, making BJ Upton the Rays starting second baseman. It was probably the last we have seen of Cantu in a Rays uniform, as he has asked to be traded, stating that he “is not a minor league player.”

Also, Jonny Gomes has made the team and will be the most-days DH, although Rocco Baldelli is likely to be the opening day DH as he continues to nurse his sore hamstring. Elijah Dukes is likely to be the opening day center fielder. It also turns out that Carlos Pena could be on the opening day roster after all, as Greg Norton may be placed on the DL, with a knee injury.

So here is your 2007 Tampa Bay Devil Rays opening day roster (unless Norton is placed on the DL)….

Mar 31

The Hangover: Chad Orvella Never Had A Chance To Make Team

Bullpen still sucks, Carlos Pena, Chad Orvella, Dan Miceli, Joe Maddon, Realignment, Seth McClung No Comments »

  • Jae Seo came back down to earth a bit allowing 5 runs in the first inning of his final spring tune up. The Rays lost to the Reds 5-4. BJ Upton had 3 hits and 2 stolen bases.
  • That the Rays decided to send Seth McClung down to Durham doesn’t surprise us (25 base runners in 9.1 innings this spring), but Chad Orvella’s demotion has us shaking our heads. One day after the team released Dan Miceli based in large part on his performance, why in the world was Orvella sent down? 13 base runners in 10.1 innings is not bad, but 0.87 ERA is pretty darn good. Granted we were not there to see Orvella pitch everyday but the numbers indicate he did just about everything that was asked of him.
  • The seven members of the bullpen are now set, but they better not get too comfortable. In reality, there are about 12 members of the bullpen and JetBlue may want to schedule regular flights between Tampa and Durham.
  • Carlos Pena will decide in the next couple of days whether to accept a demotion to the minors or declare himself a free agent.
  • An interview with Joe Maddon. Nothing too revealing except Papa Joe states that he loves competing in the AL East and wouldn’t want to be in another division.
  • HERE is a geographical argument for having the Rays and Nationals switch divisions.