Today is the deadline for teams to offer arbitration to their free agents. Gregg Zaun, Brian Shouse and Russ Springer are the only Rays to receive either Type A or Type B free agent status (all are type B). If any of the three signs with another team, the Rays [...]
Last year, Joe Posnanski generated a new statistic to evaluate closers (CLOSER+) based on Bill James’ method of classifying saves. James breaks down save opportunities into three categories: 1. Easy Save. This is a save when the first batter faced is not the tying or go-ahead run. 2. Tough save: [...]
![[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss McGee’s Fastball, Hellboy’s Changeup And Crawford’s Clubhouse Presence](http://www.raysindex.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/hangover12-150x150.jpg)
Before the Webtopia, Joe Smith gives us several great tidbits in his latest column… On Jake McGee: “McGee feels he’s back to 100 percent. He said he’s throwing 95 mph, and his changeup is better than ever.” Andrew Friedman adds that the Rays “haven’t given up on McGee as a [...]
Two years ago on Rays Index we wrote about the biggest trade of the young Andrew Friedman-era, in which Delmon Young was sent to the Twins for Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett. Rays Trade Delmon Young And Two Others To The Twins For Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett And A Minor [...]
![[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss The Rays Infatuation With Sidearmers, The Price For Brignac And Talbot’s Off-Season](http://www.raysindex.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/hangover11-150x150.jpg)
Just a few links to wet your tastebuds on this day after Turkey Day. DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA… The Rays continue their infatuation with side-arming relief pitchers by signing Joe Bateman and RJ Swindle to minor league deals. The Blue Jays are interested in trading for Reid Brignac, but feel the [...]
Two huge and seemingly unrelated pieces of Evan Longoria news broke yesterday… First, it was revealed that Longo will indeed grace the cover of “MLB2K10″ (notice that the fake cover is not included in the release). And on the same day, it was verified that Longoria is officially on Twitter [...]
![[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss Burrell For Bradley, Crawford’s Extension And Edwin Jackson](http://www.raysindex.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/hangover7-150x150.jpg)
Just a few links this morning to clear out the inbox. DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA… We have heard these exact sentiments previously, but Buster Olney is reporting that the Rays will only trade Pat Burrell to the Cubs for Milton Bradley if the deal is on their terms. In other words, [...]
Joe Mauer has been named the 2009 American League MVP. Ben Zobrist 8th place finish, was the highest ever for the Rays. Zobrist’s highest vote was a sixth-place vote. Evan Longoria finished 19th. Carlos Pena had the highest finish ever by the Rays in the AL MVP voting with 9th place finishes [...]
The AL MVP award will be announced today, which means Ben Zobrist is about to become the latest and maybe most controversial name in the fight between those that believe stats are the end-all, be-all and those that think Sabermetrics is synonymous with Satan. According to Wins Above Replacement (WAR), [...]
![[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss The Hot Stove, Crawford’s Future And Sheff’s Annual Flirtation With Rays](http://www.raysindex.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/hangover5-150x150.jpg)
Let’s start today with several Hot Stove goodies from Joe Smith… Andrew Friedman is looking at right-handed and left-handed relievers and has a target list of free agents and trade targets depending on how the market plays out. Smith lists lefties Joe Beimel, Will Ohman and Darren Oliver and righties [...]
