Mike Greenberg/ESPN Radio

by joedobr on Apr 9, 2007 11:39 PM EDT

Don't know if any of you caught this morning's rant by Mike Greenberg of Mike and Mike on ESPN Radio. He nominated the Rays front office for the "Just Shut Up" award for the week for requesting that the Rays begin the season on the road. He did mention the IRL race that took place on the bayfront and said that that in a few words or less that there is no reason that Tampa Bay being a warm weather team in a dome should be making such a request.

Also of note that Mike Greenberg said is he hammered the Rays on their major league low team payroll of $24 million and challenged the NDRO that until they stop sitting on their revenue sharing profits, MLB shouldn't be honoring any of the Rays' requests.

First its Steve Phillips and now Mike "Elitist" Greenberg now kicking the Rays around. The Bristol Mafia sure has issues with the team and their direction. Besides the ESPN Plaza does anyone have a way to get a hold of "Greenie" or Phillips?! They need to hear it; their commentary is a bad reflection of the message the NDRO is trying to convey.

0 recs | Comment 5 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I know why they make the request.......

Supposedly it is to "build up anticipation" for the home opener, which I personally don't think impacts much. That said, I'll bet that the Rays' request will get less play with MLB this year with all of the weather problems.

As for ESPN's hosts, I've stopped caring. There are too many moronic, ignorant perceptions to combat. Let the on-field success in the coming years do the talking.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Apr 10, 2007 12:24 AM EDT 0 recs

Re: Mike Greenberg/ESPN Radio

Say what you want about ESPN analysts. As a fan I cannot help but wonder about the $24 million the Rays spend.

The easiest argument to make is to say "The market was over-inflated this off-season. It was good that they didn't join in."

Ok. But what was the excuse last year, or the year before? There is a reason our pitching staff is horrible, and our bullpen the worst in baseball. We get what we pay for.

There is no shame is renting a guy for 2-3 years at an inflated salary. You know, a starting pitcher to eat up some innings. A reliever to stop the flood. A position player to add some hitting and veteran leadership. All of these things would increase the morale of the players we are planning our future around.

I live for Rays baseball. But I truly believe if the salaries are not over $45 mil in 2 seasons, the Rays should be contracted. They have to try to compete at some point, and stop planning for some distant date.

by RayFanNY on Apr 11, 2007 6:50 AM EDT 0 recs

Re: Mike Greenberg/ESPN Radio

Last year: New owner, needed to move out Huff and co.
Year before last: Naimoli.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 11, 2007 4:23 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Mike Greenberg/ESPN Radio

And I agree we needed to move Huff and get what we could get for him. I guess we'll see if the wallets open soon.

I'd like to see them get Kazmir or Crawford to renegotiate into a longer term deal. That would send a positive message that the team is serious about winning, and not just about turning a profit.

by RayFanNY on Apr 12, 2007 2:23 AM EDT up 0 recs

Why would you re-negotiate Crawford's contract now

You have one of the best young players in baseball signed to a bargain of a deal past the end of a decade. There is no reason to screw with that now, approach that issue at the end of the decade.

I agree on Kazmir, I would like to see a long term deal done with him relatively quickly, and I am confident that one will come. I very much doubt that getting Kazmir an extension hasn't been on the top of the 'To Do' list for some time.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Apr 12, 2007 8:50 AM EDT up 0 recs