Boring Week

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 29, 2007 9:54 PM EST

Encina, nothing new, in fact the lead story is something I'll address in depth this week, all ready have the preliminary outline done, but I'm consulting J.C. Bradbury about the specifics. I'd post said outline, but it gives away my entire rant.

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Re: Boring Week

Time to ante up for Kazmeister.

by David Bloom on Dec 29, 2007 10:26 PM EST reply actions

Re: Boring Week

What if it comes down to Kazmir or Shields / Upton?

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 29, 2007 10:42 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Boring Week

well, shields is an outstanding pitcher too. Lets not go comparing the two now. But, its Stu's turn to show us its a different regime money wise. I will judge Stu how he handles these players coming into arbitration eligible years. We'll see if he is as good as he was cracked up to be, or more like we have seen here in past. we hope to avoid that saying we don't keep people around here long enough.

by David Bloom on Dec 29, 2007 10:53 PM EST reply actions

Re: Boring Week

Well, they are both good..

ScottKazmir's 2007 data with Rays:

Batting Average Against : .251
BABIP: .318
Fielding Independent ERA:3.58
DIPS : 3.38
VORP:47.2
Runs Prevented (RP) :20.9
Homeruns/BB/SO : 18/89/239
GroundBalls:230
Fly Balls:209
K/9: 10.41
Win Shares : 17

James Shield's 2007 data with Rays:

Batting Average Against : .247
BABIP: .274
Fielding Independent ERA:4.00
DIPS : 3.74
VORP:45.4
Runs Prevented (RP) :18.1
Homeruns/BB/SO : 28/36/184
GroundBalls:275
Fly Balls:244
K/9: 7.70
Win Shares : 16

by David Bloom on Dec 30, 2007 8:56 AM EST reply actions

Re: Boring Week

They both have to stay minimally through their arb seasons unless a trade would help the MLB team immediately.

by ttnorm on Dec 30, 2007 10:07 AM EST reply actions

Re: Boring Week

This has long been a fear of mine and it may turn into a reality. I know, I know, Joe is off his rocker again. Well, you know what, when you make rhetoric and say we'll sign players "if the price is right", when there is loads and gobs of money at your disposal, it says a lot about Stuart Sternberg. I have no agenda and I have no bones to bear, but you know what? The price is never right when it comes to top talent? Why "settle" for players?

Kazmir is going to be gone in 2010. I am saying it now. His agent will play it year to year until a deal is done. It shouldn't come down to anyone!! Pay them ALL, period!! It shouldn't be a choice, per se, I don't buy that line of BS and in my opinion the educated fan shouldn't either.

Stu said a lot back on the final home game of the regular season. I hope none of you forget or try to "justify" his comments. I have my doubts STILL about this and Encina's comments are from what I understand about the situation pretty accurate.

Joe

by joedobr on Dec 30, 2007 4:37 PM EST reply actions

It's unrealistic

To expect us to keep everyone , rest assured nobody has forgot those comments, but the fact is we've easily progressed this off-season without spending globs of money, and Stu has said priority #1 is keeping our guys here, until we find out otherwise I'm willing to put my faith in him.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 30, 2007 6:56 PM EST up reply actions

My faith has teetered

I admit that willingly, unabashed. I am not one yet who buys completely into what Stuart Sternberg is about. It doesn't make me any less of a fan, but it makes me question the fortitude seeing the comments of earlier with the rhetoric of Kazmir.

I think you can keep everyone, if they produce. That is my personal belief. Quite frankly, we will see the fruits of MLB's labor peace here at work in this market over the next 3-5 years, or we will see the loopholes of that same MLB labor peace at work too. Progression is in the eyes of the beholder. I for one am NOT trying to bake my cake and eat it too or have it both ways, BUT one can't look or read into Stu and necessarily take everything at face value. I think its a sad reality, but something everyone should keep in the back of their minds.

Joe

by joedobr on Dec 30, 2007 7:22 PM EST reply actions

Re: My faith has teetered

For the most part everything he said has come true, and the payroll did indeed rise by the amount he suggested, however the improvement of the team is far beyond it's dollar value thus far.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 30, 2007 7:26 PM EST up reply actions

It has....

But at what level of quality? The Rays want you and I to believe that payrolls don't decide the pennant. I am not going to subscribe to that argument necessarily because if everything were relative and close, then I would agree. Its like promising we are going to go to the supermarket and say we are going to ask for a midgrade cut of steak when there is a porterhouse or two out there to be had. Yes, he promises came true, but isn't there a degree of sandbagging at play as well?

Joe

by joedobr on Dec 30, 2007 11:18 PM EST reply actions

Re: It has....

Per Runs Above Average around 12 wins without including Floyd, a stabilized Rocco, and Longoria - which would probably bump it near 15-20, 81-86 wins isn't out of the question.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 31, 2007 12:31 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Boring Week

well, this is one site that has backed the Stu regime and has had faith in what they have done so far. I guess we have to wait and see what they do. I remember chatting with one of the Rays beat reporters right before Stu took over and he said they wanted to be like what Minnesota is being able to compete on a lower payroll. Lets hope we CAN keep players around long enough. We don't to be the farm system for the bigger market clubs to get players. Next couple years is OUR time. We've suffered through long enough . Time to be buyers, not sellers. Put a winner on the field, the fans will come. No matter if you are playing at Fair ground, the Trop/Thunderdome, or wherever. Tampa has some of the greatest fans. Supporting the teams even when they are down. Take the Bucs as an example in to what they are today.

by David Bloom on Dec 31, 2007 9:44 AM EST reply actions