Nov 12
One year ago on Rays Index, the Rays unveiled plans for a new ballpark and we wondered how it would fit at the proposed waterfront site.
The Tampa Bay Rays Distract Fans With Plans For New Stadium [Rays Index]
Archive for November 12th, 2008
Nov 12
[PAPA JOE] Joe Maddon Wins AL Manager Of The Year Award
Joe Maddon, Lou Piniella, Ron Gardenhire 3 Comments »It’s official. Joe Maddon was named the AL Manager of the Year and everybody knows except possibly Papa Joe himself. Maddon is currently traveling through Europe on his honeymoon with his new bride.
Maddon received 27 of 28 first-place votes. The other top vote went to Ron Gardenhire.
In the NL, former Devil Rays skipper Lou Piniella took home the Manager of the Year award. This is the third time Piniella has won the award.
Maddon, Piniella named top skippers [MLB]
Nov 12
[HOT STOVE] Measuring The Rays Offseason Needs Statistically
Carl Crawford, Gabe Gross, Nathan Haynes, Nice little offseason 2 Comments »There has been a lot of talk about what the Rays need to add to the mix this offseason, with most pointing to right field.
That got us to wondering how Rays right fielders performed this past season and what they need to produce in 2009. In 2008 Joe Maddon ran nine different players out to right field (remember Nathan Haynes?). Let’s take a look at the Rays’ offensive splits based on position…
Right fielders were far from the worst offensive position for the Rays. In fact, only first base and third base outperformed right fielders in terms of OPS. But right field is a position where a manager should expect run production. When compared to the rest of the AL, Rays right fielders were well off the pace in 2008, ranking 10th in the AL in OPS.
Many GMs in baseball hope to build a ballclub that is at least league average at all positions, and above average at a few positions. By that logic, the Rays need a serious upgrade in right field in 2009. In order to jump into the top half of the AL, Rays right fielders need to increase their OPS by 40-45 points in 2009.
We can also see that the Rays were near the bottom in offensive production from left fielders. That should improve with a healthy Carl Crawford. From 2005-2007, Crawford posted seasons of at least .800 OPS each year. An .800 OPS from left fielders in 2008 would have placed the Rays fifth in the AL.
We decided to take this one step further and see how the Rays offensive production broke down by batting order position…
Again, we see that a healthy Crawford will lead to much more production from the 2-spot in the lineup.
In addition, we see that the #6 hitters were atrocious in 2008. This spot was usually filled with a right fielder or a DH. The Rays need a considerable upgrade in order to just reach league average.
So when looking at the pool of available right fielders, keep in mind that the Rays will prefer to add either: a) a full-time right fielder capable of an OPS of at least .815 or; b) a right-handed hitting right fielder that hits lefties to the tune of .840 or greater. The latter is needed if platooned with Gabe Gross who posted a .790 OPS against right-handed pitchers in 2008.
Nov 12
[THE HANGOVER] Michel Hernandez Dropped From 40-Man Roster, Granted Free Agency
David Price, Michel Hernandez 3 Comments »
Just a couple of notes and links for now. Will be back in a little while with more…
DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…
- The AL Manager of the Year award will be announced today.
- Michel Hernandez has been granted free agency and removed from the 40-man roster.
- Stacy Long has his list of the top 30 prospects “not named David Price.”…Keep in mind that Long is the only person that will make one of these lists that has seen most of the players play more than a few times. [Biscuit Crumbs]
- Rays Prospects looks at the statistical value of the starting pitchers throughout the Rays organization. [Rays Prospects]
- The Examiner is running a series of “Prospect Reports”. Next up is Desmond Jennings. [The Examiner]
