Archive for March 12th, 2008

Mar 12

[HAPPY HOUR] Rocco Baldelli May Have Played His Last Game For The Rays

Andy Cannizaro, Ben Zobrist, Elliot Johnson, Eric Hinske, Joe Maddon, John Rodriguez, Jon Weber, Jonny Gomes, Justin Ruggiano, Kenny Lofton, Rocco Baldelli Cork Gaines 10 Comments »

Tampa Bay Rays (19 days until Opening Day)

Not the best day in the world to be a Rays fan. We just reported about the cheapshots thrown by the Yankees in the today’s spring games (we apologize, for the excessive profanity). This came after this morning’s press conference to announce that Rocco Baldelli will start the season on the DL with a still unidentified muscle condition.

Baldelli said he had some type of “metabolic, and/or mitochondrial abnormalities, basically along the lines my body isn’t making or producing ATP the right way, and therefore not allowing my muscles to work as they should and recover like they’re supposed to on a day-to-day basis.”

Andrew Friedman noted that the Rays will continue to help Baldelli, but that at this point it is unlikely that the team would pick up his 2009 option ($6 million). Declining the option will cost the Rays a $4 million buyout.

At this point we need to seriously consider the possibility that Rocco has played his last game for the Rays and possibly his last game as a major league baseball player. If this is the case, it will be a sad end to a once promising career.

P.S. Shelley Duncan is still a little bitch.

Baldelli headed to the DL with fatigue [Tampa Bay Rays]

DEVIL RAYS WEBTOPIA…

  • As far as the Rays in-house options to replace Rocco Baldelli as the Rays’ fourth outfielder, Joe Maddon will have to decide between Jon Weber, whom Maddon says is the better defensive outfielder and John Rodriguez, whom Maddon says is the better offensive option. Both will get considerable playing time in the near future and the decision may be based on who can handle center field better. [The Heater]
  • Outs Per Swing does not like the idea of bringing Kenny Lofton on board, when the Rays have a suitable solution in-house with Justin Ruggiano…We tend to agree. We don’t see Lofton as a difference-maker this year and think Jonny Gomes can handle the everyday right field job with one of several candidates good enough to step-up and be the Rays fourth outfielder (Eric Hinske?). Of course one thing going for Jon Weber is that he has played on a championship team six of the last seven years and just missed his seventh straight last year with the Bulls. [Outs Per Swing]
  • To continue with the injury-news, Andy Cannizaro is being treated for a recurring back problem. With the regular backup shortstop, Ben Zobrist out 4 weeks already, it now appears as though Elliot Johnson’s hot spring has earned him a shot to be the backup shortstop. He will likely get some time at short this week. [Rays Report]
  • Elliot Johnson says he is a hard-nosed player and expressed no regrets for the collision at home plate this past weekend. The Rays hoped that Johnson would enter camp and cut down on trying to hit home runs and lower his strikeout totals. So far it is working and Joe Maddon has taken notice. [Tampa Bay Rays]

“He’s a very good athlete and I think there’s a lot of positions that he could play,” Maddon said. “I want him to become more involved defensively, because this guy is very gifted, you can see that…He’s handled himself extremely well, and I’ve told him so,” Maddon said. “He’s out here playing hardball every day and that’s what he’s all about.”

  • We mentioned previously that the PECOTA projection system predicted a 22-win increase for the Rays in 2008, and now SI.com’s Nate Silver looks at that number and the Rays roster and sees the 1994 Cleveland Indians. [SI.com]

Forget about the ’87 Indians; the relevant team to consider here is the ’94 Tribe, which reversed a string of seven consecutive losing seasons by going 66-47 in a strike-shortened season. Like those Indians, who went on to win five straight division titles behind such rising stars as Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome, the Rays have plenty of young mashers.

  • Somebody else suggested we use THIS JOKE on our site. We think it is a little rough considering we are talking about a guy who has what is apparently a genetic disorder and may never be able to play again. [Hugging Harold Reynolds]
  • CNBC is running a bracket-style tournament to find the best minor league baseball logo. The Montgomery Biscuits were up on DAY 1, while both the Columbus Catfish and the Durham Bulls are in the running on DAY 2. [CNBC]
Mar 12

[YANKEES] Yankees Play Dirty After Whining About Clean Play

Uncategorized Cork Gaines 14 Comments »


[Update 7:00pm] DRays Bay has the video. Let us add this comment…This was absolutely a premeditated act by Duncan. He was out by 15 feet at second base, which means the only reason he went for two was for the purpose of being able to make his ignoramus “statement”]

[Update 3:28pm] They are currently ripping Duncan to shreds on NYC sports radio WFAN. They say he has a reputation as a “hot-head” in the minor leagues.

So THIS is how it is going to be, huh? The Yankees retaliated this afternoon in their first meeting since the home plate collision this past weekend.

In the bottom of the first inning, Yankees pitcher Heath Phillips hit Rays batter Evan Longoria with a pitch, and Phillips was immediately ejected by home plate umpire Chad Fairchild.

In the top of the second, Shelley Duncan attempted to leg out a double, and sure enough, there was a play at second base. Duncan slid high into Akinori Iwamura, cleats up, and was called out. But following the slide, Tampa Bay right fielder Jonny Gomes raced in and shoved Duncan.

In additon to Phillips, Duncan, Gomes and two coaches were ejected.

So let’s get this straight. Elliot Johnson makes a clean, albeit aggressive play this past weekend, with absolutely ZERO intention to hurt anybody. A play that several independent respected baseball people (Lou Piniella, Mike Scioscia) called a clean play. And the Yankees decide to throw a sucker-punch, not once, but twice. Phillips intentionally hits Longoria and Duncan intentionally tries to injure Iwamura with his spikes.

Nice. That is nothing but a dirty fucking play. The Phillips pitch I can almost accept. But for Duncan to do what he did and intentionally try to hurt somebody is absolutely uncalled for. Duncan deserves a severe suspension and then he needs my foot up his ass.

Ahhhh, the Yankees being the Yankees. Whiny little bitches that complain when somebody plays aggressive and then decide to resort to dirty play.

Yanks, Rays Brawl [New York Post]
The Collision That Rocked The Evil Empire [Rays Index]

Mar 12

[RI CONFIDENCE GRAPH] The Rays Index Confidence Graph: 3 Weeks Until Opening Day

Confidence graph Cork Gaines No Comments »

The Rays Confidence Graph will appear every Wednesday and is a look at how much confidence Rays fans have in the Tampa Bay Rays. The graph is designed to give us a look at how our emotional bias as Rays fans fluctuates through time. The “confidence” in the team is an inexact measure of how fans feel about the team’s current strength as well as how much confidence fans have in the franchise for the next 3-4 years. Notes on this weeks agida-level can be found after the graph..

Notes on the RI Confidence Graph…

  • The most common response for “Confidence in 2008 Rays” was 7 (If things break right, they could be in race for playoffs) with 55.7%
  • The most common response for “Confidence in future of franchise” was 9 with 46.6%.
  • Confidence in the 2008 Rays ranged from 4 (Will fall short of 81 wins, but won’t finish in cellar) to 10 (The Rays are built/playing like a World Series contender)
  • Confidence in the future ranged from 1-10, while 98.9% of respondents answered 6 or greater.
  • 69.3% of respondents feel the Rays have a shot at the playoffs in 2008. This is up from 63.4% last week.
  • 96.6% of respondents feel the Rays should be at least a .500 team in 2008. This is up from 91.6% last week.
Mar 12

[EVAN LONGORIA] Dirtbag-O-Meter: 19 Days Until Opening Day

Dirtbag-O-Meter, Evan Longoria Cork Gaines No Comments »

We call him The Dirtbag because of how he plays and because he played college ball at Long Beach State whose baseball team has the coolest mascot in sports…The Dirtbags.

The biggest question mark for the Tampa Bay Rays in Spring Training is whether or not Evan Longoria will be named the opening day third baseman. Manager Joe Maddon has repeatedly stated that the decision will be based less on his stats, and more on how the 22-year old handles himself on a day-to-day basis and how well The Dirtbag adjusts to everyday life as a major leaguer. From now until the Rays announce a decision on Longoria’s fate, we will track The Dirtbag’s progress through his numbers, our own observations and quotes from Maddon and Andrew Friedman…

Notes on the Dirtbag-O-Meter…

Yesterday at the plate: Longoria went 1-2 with a home run. He came on in the 8th and pinch hit to lead off the inning, smashing his first spring home run to right-center. In the 9th, he hit a hard ground ball to the right side that was fielded by the second baseman. He did not play in the field.

Quotes:
“[The recent media attention is] a big deal…All the articles have been great. It’s all been positive media. At the same time, it’s time for me to step out of the shadows of being a prospect and start being a player. It’s my goal to make the team out of spring training.”-Evan Longoria.

“we’re going to win some games this year. This isn’t a rebuilding year by any means. This is probably the best team they’ve put together in a long time. I don’t want to be the guy to say we’re going to win such-and-such amount of games, but there’s no reason we can’t win more games than we did last season.” – Evan Longoria.

“Nice pinch-hit at-bat…Then he hit a rocket to the second baseman [in his final at-bat]. Just a nice little flick of the bat, and he got the ball up in the air. Sitting around all day and having a good at-bat, that’s not easy.”- Joe Maddon.

“Whenever they make the decision, I’ll be ready…It’s not like I’m counting the days to wait for the decision. It’s solely up to them and I can’t worry about that.”-Evan Longoria.

“Honestly, I’ve been comfortable since Day 1…Coming into the clubhouse, we have a pretty different look this year. There’s a lot of leadership in the clubhouse and it’s a totally different feel. I’ve been pretty comfortable since I got here.” – Evan Longoria.

Summary: We were really starting to sour on the idea of The Dirtbag being on the opening day roster, but yesterday’s performance and the quotes have us feeling giddy once again. And that Papa Joe seemed even more impressed with the 9th inning ground out says a lot. After some bad at bats last week, Maddon seems impressed that even when Longoria doesn’t get on base, it is a tough out. As for Longoria, he seems to really have his head on his shoulders, and keeps saying exactly what he should be saying to the press. He is extremely confident in his abilities and believes he belongs in the majors, but always stops short of saying that he should be in the majors…In the end, we give the Meter a tick up, but there are still plenty of good reasons to keep Longoria in the minors for 8-10 weeks.

Mar 12

[THE HANGOVER] Elliot Johnson Is Reestablishing Himself As A Top Prospect

Andrew Friedman, David Price, Don Zimmer, Elliot Johnson, Eric Hinske, JK Ryu, Joe Girardi, John Rodriguez, Jon Weber, Justin Ruggiano, New Stadium, Rocco Baldelli Cork Gaines No Comments »

Tampa Bay Rays (19 days until Opening Day)

Yesterday: Tampa Bay Rays 7, Twins 1. Joe Maddon and Jim Hickey is starting to let their starters stretch it out early this year. James Shields worked 5 scoreless innings, giving up 4 hits and 1 walk. His last inning was his strongest with his only 1-2-3 frame. Elliot Johnson has not let all the media hoopla get to me or his poor 2007 campaign. Johnson led off going 3-5 with his first home run and his 3rd stolen base. He is now 9-18 in the spring with 3 walks. And people thought we were crazy to keep his name so high on our list of prospects…Willy Aybar started at third and went 2-2 with a double. Some kid named Evan Longoria hit his first spring home run. Eric Hinske saw time at first in his effort to show Joe Maddon he can be a utility player. Joel Guzman started in left field but later moved to third base. Dioner Navarro hit his first spring home run.

DEVIL RAYS WEBTOPIA…

  • After pitching a perfect ninth inning, David Price was sent to the minors along with Jae Kuk Ryu and Justin Ruggiano. Ruggiano’s demotion is a bit surprising considering the unknown status of Rocco Baldelli. The move leaves non-roster invitees Jon Weber, Eric Hinske and John Rodriguez as the only in-house options to be the Rays’ fourth outfielder. The Trib also quotes Ben Zobrist as saying he will be ready for opening day and that he will be 100%. [Tampa Tribune]
  • David Price says there is no doubt in his mind that he is ready. He also feels that the clubhouse knows he is ready also but acknowledges that the team has a plan for him and a process that needs to be followed. Don Zimmer noted that Price’s first appearance was as impressive as it gets. [Tampa Bay Rays]

“To me, where are you going to see anything better the whole spring than that one inning?” Zimmer said. “I don’t care if you’re 17 years old or if you’re 77 years old — that was thrilling. Strike, strike, strike, strike, and low, and breaking balls. It’s easy to say they didn’t have their regular lineup in there. That, to me, has got nothing to do with it. It’s where he was throwing it.”

  • Andrew Friedman spoke at length yesterday about Rocco Baldelli noting that he does not have a good feel of the situation and will not be proactive in looking for a replacement until they know for certain that Rocco cannot play. [Herald-Tribune]
  • Joe Girardi says there will be no bad blood when the Rays play the Yankees after last weekend’s home plate collision. Girardi seems to have changed his tune a bit after hearing so many big names side with the Rays (incl. Lou Piniella and Mike Scioscia). Girardi now says that he thinks there was enough plate left exposed for Elliot Johnson to slide into home around the catcher. [Newsday]

Girardi said he had not told his catchers to leave some extra plate open in case of any Rays sliding into home… “I thought there was plate open the other day, and it still happened,” Girardi said.

  • Anaheim Angels All the Way, who previously used their CHONE projections to predict that the Rays will win 89 games this year, now looks at those results a little closer. The biggest difference will be from the pitching staff and the defense as the Rays are projected to allow 200 fewer runs in 2008. Of course, the Rays could throw out 9 guys off the street and allow about 50 fewer than the 2007 Rays. [Anaheim Angels all the Way]
  • SI.com profiles the Rays proposed stadium. One question that recently pooped into our heads about the new stadium…When the “roof” is closed, it seems that the tunnel effect could produce very strong wind currents inside the stadium. This could lead to some very low-scoring games as we would think most of the wind would come from the bay. [SI.com]