If you have been hanging around these parts for a while, you know that the model for this site is to tell you what the Rays have done, what they are doing and try to project what they will do based on what we have learned. Unlike most team blogs, we do not very often tell you what the Tampa Bay Rays should do. We prefer to live under the premise that the people that run the Rays are smarter than we are, and know many, many more things that even the most learned fan will never know.
However, for the next 12 days we will step away from the standard, and we present to you 12 “presents” the Tampa Bay Rays should give to their fans. Looking back at last year’s 12 Days of Raysmas, we see that the Rays didn’t come through on very many of our wishes, and the result was a somewhat disappointing season. Let’s hope that changes in 2010.
On the twelfth day of Raysmas, the Tampa Bay Rays gave to us, TWELVE shutouts…
The Rays drop in the standings last season can be attributed in large part to the performance of the pitching staff. And much of the pitching staff’s performance can be attributed to the high inning totals in 2008 and the short off-season.
In 2008 the Rays shutout the opposition 12 times. That number dropped to 5 in 2009. Matt Garza and James Shields, who combined for 4 shutouts in 2008 threw none in 2009.
If the Rays want to get back to the promised land, the pitching staff will need to carry them. And to do that, the staff needs a return to the dominance they displayed when they won the AL pennant.
On the twelfth day of Raysmas, our true love gave to us…
Twelve shutouts,
ELEVEN postseason wins,
TEN wins versus each divisional rival,
NINE No-Hit Innings,
EIGHT positions with a .350 wOBA,
SEVEN games with the same batting order,
SIX months with at least 15 wins,
FIVE positions with at least 20 home runs,
FOUR Gold Glove infielders,
THREE-year contract extension for Carlos Pena,
TWO Major League debuts for their top prospects,
and ONE AL MVP.
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com is reporting that Kelly Shoppach and the Rays avoided arbitration by agreeing to a two-year deal for $5.5 million. There is also a team option for 2012 for an unknown amount.
