Archive for February 18th, 2009

Feb 18

[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss Rocco’s Blue Gloves, More Depth And Beef-K Out Of WBC

Adam Kennedy, Rocco Baldelli Cork Gaines No Comments »

Image at right comes courtesy of UniWatch. Which is great because it just made us throw up a little in our mouths. And interesting to see that Rocco is still wearing his Rays batting gloves. Surprised that his new teammates let him get away with that.

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • The Rays have signed second baseman Adam Kennedy to a minor league deal. Kennedy was released last week by the Cardinals who did not see a spot for Kennedy and his $4 million salary in their starting lineup. The Cards are on the hook for all of that except about $400K the Rays will pay. Kennedy hit .280/.321/.372 with an 82 OPS+ in 115 games. He was 3rd in plus/minus for second basemen last year. [Rays Report]
  • The Rays have successfully blocked Scott Kazmir’s bid to play in the World Baseball Classic. Marc Lancaster has quotes from both sides, all of which are fairly predictable. [Rays Report]
  • Jeff Niemann is excited about the opportunity to compete for a job in the rotation but admits that anything in the majors is fine by him. [Tampa Tribune]
  • Joe Maddon spoke about the depth of the bullpen. [MLB]
  • For the always budget conscious Rays, there appears to be some concern on the number of baseballs that are being lost in Spring Training…But the good news is, if you travel to Port Charlotte and want some baseballs, just bring a swimsuit. [St. Pete Times]
  • Maybe this headline is sarcasm? Because we seem to remember Morgan Ensberg, Gabe Kapler, Matt Joyce (who will likely start in AAA) and about 36 relief pitchers being added this winter. The Rays are up to their eyeballs in depth. [The Rays Party]
Feb 18

Why The Rays Columnists Suck: Gary Shelton

Troy Percival Cork Gaines No Comments »

Sorry. It has to be done…

There have been 600 kazillion billion preseason previews written about the Rays. One of the tell-tale signs that many of these writers know little about the Rays is when they discuss who is going to close for the Rays. We expect that from writers that don’t cover the Rays on a regular basis. We don’t expect it from the Rays’ hometown paper.

The writer: Gary Shelton.

The column: “Closer is the biggest question mark for Tampa Bay Rays”

Even now, even at the start, the real question is about the finish…Even here, even as the Rays begin to open a new season, the riddle is about the closing…Perhaps. For the Rays, however, the ninth inning is coming. Big games are coming. The stretch run is coming…Wouldn’t it be nice if there were someone there to save them from a fall?

Closer is not the biggest question mark for the Rays. In fact it is not a question at all.

If the Rays enter the 9th inning with a lead of three runs or less, and Troy Percival is healthy, he will start the ninth. If he is not healthy, it will be a committee with Dan Wheeler getting the bulk of the duty to start the ninth inning. If the tying runs are on base, Joe Maddon’s relief aces, JP Howell and Grant Balfour will get the ball.

That is the way it was in 2008 and based on the fact that, you know, it worked, along with all of the quotes in Shelton’s column from Maddon, that is exactly how it will be in 2009.

Closer is not a question. It is not a secret. And it is not rocket science. It is quite simple.

In fact, with more pressing issues like “Who will be the 5th starter?” and “How will BJ Upton’s shoulder hold up?” on the list of Spring Training question marks for the Rays, we would put “Who is going to be the closer?” just behind “Who is going to be the third baseman?” and just ahead of “Will Gary Shelton watch more than 5 Rays games this season?”

Closer is the biggest question mark for Tampa Bay Rays [St. Pete Times]

Feb 18

[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss Upton’s Shoulder, Kennedy’s New Gig And Joyce’s Number

BJ Upton Cork Gaines No Comments »

Rays Spring Baseball

Busy day, so let’s get right to the links.

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • BJ Upton’s shoulder feels so well that he now feels he might not need to sit out the first week of the regular season. Also Joe Maddon spoke about the workload of the pitching staff during the spring. Maddon noted that the 31 pitchers in camp will be divided into two groups with one group getting more work earlier in camp. [St. Pete Times]
  • Rays Prospects has the complete list of spring training invites. [Rays Prospects]
  • Kevin Kennedy will work about 100 games and will continue to host his daytime talk show on Sirius-XM. [Tampa Tribune]
  • Tom Jones had a Q&A with new TV analyst Kevin Kennedy. Kennedy talks about his history with Dewayne Staats and whether he would ever manage again. [St. Pete Times]
  • David Chalk speculates on why the Phillies have not graced the front of a Wheaties box. Something about an asterisk and “Cheaters don’t sell cereal.” [Bugs and Cranks]
  • The Rays Party takes another look at the battles in camp this spring. [The Rays Party]
  • Scott Caruso of Rays of Light wrote a spring training preview for Spring Training ‘09. [Spring Training '09]
  • Armwood High School will retire Matt Joyce’s #24 on Feb 24…Which begs the question: What will they do if Joyce ever becomes a great big leaguer? Our guess is “Matt Joyce High School”. [The Heater]
  • Rays Prospects has a few updates from the minor league affiliates. [Rays Prospects]
Feb 18

Pat Burrell Looks Good In Blue

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Pat Burrell sure looks good in Rays colors (photo via The Tampa Tribune). And we have a feeling he will always look better in blue than Raul Ibanez ever will in Red.

(Hey Philly Fans..Pat wants you to say “hi” to your mother for him. WFC*)

Also from Marc Lancaster…Burrell admits that it will take him a while to adjust to being a most-days DH.

Burrell expects his pregame preparation to remain basically the same, “but once the game starts, I think that’s when I’ll probably have to change my program. If I could just go stand behind Carl in left, I think it’d be great.”

Lancaster also reports that Burrell has been seeking counsel from his friend and former teammate Jim Thome on life as a DH.

Ex-Phillie Burrell Adjusting To Rays, New DH Role [Tampa Tribune]

Feb 18

We Now Dub Thee, Professor Maddon

Joe Maddon Cork Gaines No Comments »

Jack Curry of The New York Times visited the spring training camps of the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays. When Curry asked Joe Maddon about competing in the AL East, Maddon said the Yankees and Red Sox do not concern him, and then provided a quote that may best sum up his managerial style.

“It’s all about what the Rays do,” Maddon said. “I’m talking about the liberal arts form of baseball. Teach all of it. Hitting, pitching and defense.”

If one day Coach Joe is fortunate enough to be elected to the baseball Hall of Fame, we hope they will include that quote on his plaque.

Scouting the A.L. East [New York Times]

Feb 18

When Blogging About The Bulls, Remember That The Rose Goes In Front

Durham Bulls Cork Gaines No Comments »

As most of you know, we try to cover the minor league affiliates to the best of our ability, but we are obviously limited because we rarely actually get to watch the teams play. Occasionally we rely on the observations of those that are closer to the games.

We are happy to report that one of those contributors has gone “Colbert” to our “Daily Show,” and started their own blog about the Durham Bulls, Watching Durham Bulls Baseball.

So make sure to check it out and keep track of all the going ons down in Durham. There is a very good chance they will have the only first-hand written accounts of David Price’s first few starts this season.

Feb 18

[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss Navi’s New Sexiness, Aybar’s New Deal And Editors That Chase Squirrels

Dioner Navarro, Evan Longoria, JP Howell Cork Gaines No Comments »

FanFest was Saturday (Evan Longoria was absent due to having his wisdom teeth pulled). The bird’s eye view of FanFest (right) was provided to us by one of our readers (thanks Bryan). Click on the image for a larger view. Bryan also caught this image of Jonny Gomes’ locker. Is there any doubt that Jonny-terrific drank all of that by himself? And what is the over-under on how long it took? 3 minutes?

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • Might we have to retire the nickname “The Fat Catcher” already? Dioner Navarro showed up to camp 15 pounds lighter than his weight at the end of last season, and Marc Lancaster says the difference is noticeable. [Tampa Tribune]
  • In the same piece, we get an early contender for quote of the year from JP Howell (of course). When asked how many players the new hot and cold tubs can hold, Howell said “At least six…If Percy’s in there, we’ve got four, then.” [Tampa Tribune]
  • Marc Topkin is reporting that Willy Aybar’s new contract should be finalized today. The deal is for two years with an option for 2011. [St. Pete Times]
  • Do you want to tell the world what the Rays will do in 2009 before it happens? Here is your chance: 2009 Tampa Bay Rays season on Wikipedia. [Wikipedia]
  • Rays Prospects has the radio schedule for Rays spring training games. [Rays Prospects]
  • The Rays are very happy with their new spring training facilities. [MLB]
  • Richard Justice of the Sporting News says the Phillies have a better shot at making it back to the World Series. The Rays do play in the same division as the Red Sox and the Yankees, so that seems like a fair and obvious observation. But Justice also thinks the Rays 29-18 record in one-run games last season was lucky and likely to even out, ignoring the fact that it is not luck if it is because the Rays just had a better bullpen. Justice’s other reason is that the Phillies got to the Series without any players posting career years, without telling us exactly who on the Rays did. [Sporting News]
  • From the Bradenton Herald: “Rays ready to roll despite shore offseason”…C’mon guys. In the title? Listen. We make spelling errors around here all the time. But our editor is named Junebug and she chases squirrels and poops outside. We hope that is not the same excuse at the Herald. [Bradenton Herald]
Feb 18

[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss The New TV Analyst, FanFest And Bruno’s Lack Of Research

Kevin Kennedy Cork Gaines 1 Comment »

Just a few links to get you through this first official day of workouts for the Rays in Port Charlotte.

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • Kevin Kennedy has been hired as the Rays new TV analyst and will partner with incumbent play-by-play announcer Dewayne Staats. Kennedy will serve as color analyst for most games, with Brian Anderson occasionally filling in. [The Heater]
  • The Rays Party attended FanFest and gives a recap. [The Rays Party]
  • Joey Chestnut signed autographs while wearing a Rays jersey, and he even drank a gallon of milk in 44 seconds. Dude is a monster. [Sharing Florida]
  • Marc Topkin names three players to watch this spring and then projects where each will be on opening day. [St. Pete Times]
  • The New York Times ran a feature piece on the Rays and how they won’t sneak up on anybody this season. [New York Post]
  • Ted Jackovics of the Tampa Tribune analyzes how the economy affects Rays ticket sales and compares the Rays ticket prices to the rest of major league baseball. [Tampa Tribune]
  • Tony Bruno is a radio host that interviewed James Shields. The interview was summarized on Bruno’s blog. All we can say is that we hope Bruno and his staff did more research before the interview than they did before writing up the summary. Unless one considers Rocco Baldelli and John Smoltz, two players that the Red Sox will be lucky to get half-seasons from, a lot, the Sox did not add a “ton of guys” this off-season. And the even bigger gaffe is referring to Shields as the youngest pitcher in the starting rotation. In fact, Shields is the oldest…Research is your friend. Try it some time. [Tony Bruno]
  • Willy Aybar’s arbitration hearing was to be held on Friday but was postponed. No reason was given and no date was given for the new hearing. [ESPN]
  • Rocco Baldelli says the worst part of his condition is answering questions about it everyday. Or as the Minneapolis Star-Tribune wrote, he is “sick of answering questions.” Get it? Those editors are so clever. [Minneapolis Star-Tribune]