Archive for December 1st, 2008

Dec 01

[DOWN ON THE FARM] One Year Later, Devil Is Finally Ousted From Rays’ Franchise

Princeton Rays Cork Gaines 5 Comments »


Following the 2007 season the Rays changed their colors and dropped the “Devil” from the team’s moniker. However, the “Devil Rays” (and the green uniforms) lived on with two of the Rays’ minor league affiliates.

With the Vero Beach Devil Rays moving to Charlotte and becoming the “Stone Crabs”, that left the Princeton Devil Rays as the only team to retain the old name and colors.

However, today comes word that the Rays’ rookie team in Princeton, New Jersey West Virginia will officially change their name to “Rays” and will adopt the colors of the parent franchise.

It’s no longer a technicality today. Even those that still choose to refer to the Princeton professional baseball squad as “Devil Rays” can now be considered to be officially incorrect. The anticipated change of the Princeton team name to “Rays” became a reality on December 1, 2008 along with the announcement by Princeton Baseball Association, Inc. of a change in it’s team colors, ballcaps, and logo effective immediately…The caps will be navy blue with a large white “P” shadowed with the lighter blue trimming. The yellow burst of light pattern will once again appear inside the enclosed portion of the “P”.

Tonight we will pour a few drops from our 40 on the ground for our homie David Chalk, at Bugs and Cranks after this blow to his fight to save the Devil.

The Tampa Bay Rays and Princeton Rays recently extended their partnership through the 2010 season.

Princeton Rays Announce New Team Colors, Ballcaps, and Logo [MiLB]
Fighting For The Devil & The Soul Of Bugs & Cranks [Bugs and Cranks]
Rays to remain in Princeton (R) through 2010 [Rays Prospects]

Dec 01

[THE MAD AUSTRALIAN] Balfour To Use WBC Participation As Chip During Contract Negotiations

Grant Balfour, Grant Balfour is the Mad Australian, World Baseball Classic Cork Gaines 2 Comments »

A couple of weeks ago we took a look at the toll of the 2008 season on the Rays’ pitching staff. The Rays have already tightened the reigns on the pitchers this off-season, several of whom will have delayed 2009 debuts in spring training.

One event that could derail the Rays plans is participation in the 2009 World Baseball Classic by members of the pitching staff. The WBC is to be held during spring training (March 5-23).

After one of the most dominating seasons ever for a relief pitcher, Grant Balfour is arbitration-eligible for the first time and will use his participation in the WBC as leverage during contract negotiations.

“I have no idea if I’m going to play or not,” Balfour said. “I’m going to see what the Rays come up with as far as a contract and see what they think.”

In other words, Balfour might be willing to forgo a spot on the Australian team if the Rays offer the right amount of cash.

Balfour is one of the pitchers who showed a significant increase in innings pitched (32.6%) from 2007 to 2008. A sharp increase in workload from one season to the next is a cause for concern moving forward.

If Balfour joins the Australian team, not only will he have to begin preparations earlier than would normally be expected, but he will also be giving max-effort during the WBC with little opportunity for tune-ups in the spring. That, along with the increased workload in 2008 and the shortened off-season could lead to a tired arm in 2009 or even injury.

This has to be very concerning to the Rays who will need a repeat performance from Balfour in 2009 if the team expects to make another run at a postseason berth.

Look At Toll Of 2008 On Rays Pitching Staff; Garza Could Take Step Back In ’09 [Rays Index]
Tampa Bay Rays plan extra rest for pitchers after long season [St. Pete Times]
Grant Balfour One Of Most Dominating Relievers In History Of Baseball [Rays Index]
Australians out to surprise in Classic [MLB]

Dec 01

[THE HANGOVER] Griffey Could Be Good Fit For Rays

Andy Sonnanstine, Carl Crawford, Chris Mason, Eddie Morlan, Edwin Jackson, Jermaine Dye, Joe Maddon, Ken Griffey Jr, Rhyne Hughes, Rocco Baldelli, Tim Bogar, Troy Percival Cork Gaines No Comments »

According to Jim Street, six American League teams are among the group that has contacted free agent Ken Griffey Jr.. Based on some comments from Griffey’s agent, you can be sure the Tampa Bay Rays are one of those teams.

“Kenny realizes that he probably would be a middle-ground guy when it comes to salary,” he said. “He also understands that a contract could include some incentives, but I don’t think he’ll price himself out of a job. He’s never been about being the highest paid.”…Goldberg said Griffey would be receptive to a one-year contract offer from “the right team in the right place,” but wouldn’t be any more specific than that.

Griffey’s agent says his client is healthy now after postseason season knee surgery and is ready to play a couple more years. A healthy Griffey posted 119 OPS+ with 30 home runs and a .372 OBP in 2007. Those numbers fell to 101 OPS+, 18 home runs and a .353 OBP.

This could come down to whether Griffey still wants to play the outfield on a regular basis. If he is willing to accept a role as a most-days DH, and an incentive-laden contract to play for a contender, Griffey is the type of player the Rays will target.

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • We will find out this week if Troy Percival will need surgery on either his knee or his back…Also, Joe Smith is reporting that the Rays are continuing to have conversations with Rocco Baldelli. [St. Pete Times]
  • Tim Bogar, the Rays Quality Assurance Coach this past season, has been hired by the Red Sox to be their first base coach. [The Heater]
  • Rocco Baldelli won the “Tony Conigliaro Award”, which is given to “a major league player who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage.” [The Heater]
  • Carl Crawford had his baseball jersey retired by his high school prior to a recent playoff game. [Houston Chronicle]
  • Joe Maddon is one of 10 finalists for Hazelton, Pennsylvania “Person of the Year”. [Standard-Speaker]
  • According to Nick Cafardo, the White Sox would want more than Andy Sonnanstine or Edwin Jackson for Jermaine Dye…Huh, wha? More than Duke or Nuke for a player that is owed $11.5 million next season and a $12 million option in 2010? That should about do it for the “Jermaine Dye is a good fit for the Rays” talk. [MLB Trade Rumors]
  • Rounding the Bases lays out 7 reasons to trade Edwin Jackson. [Rounding the Bases]
  • Rise of the Rays takes a look at some options for the Rays in right field and at DH either through trade or via free agency. [Rise of the Rays]
  • Baseball Analysts previews the top 11 pitchers available in next week’s Rule 5 draft, including Eddie Morlan and Chris Mason. [Baseball Analysts]
  • The members of the Rise of the Rays community debate who will be the “key player for the Rays in 2009.” [Rise of the Rays]
  • Rays Prospects has an update on winter league stats for several current and former Rays prospects. [Rays Prospects]
  • Rays Digest looks at the top hitting prospects in the organization. [Rays Digest]
  • Baseball Talk takes a look at some of the lesser known pitching prospects in the Rays system. [Baseball Talk...]
  • After Rhyne Hughes’ solid Arizona Fall League season, Examiner.com tries to project how good the prospect can be. [Examiner.com]
  • Ted Flemming offers several suggestions on what the Rays should do from the operations side of the coin, which includes broadcasting more spring training games. [Examiner.com]
  • The King of Series, David Chalk’s latest is counting down the 25 greatest Devil Rays…as an advent calendar. [Bugs and Cranks]