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Will the Rays be able to compete in this division again?

It's easy to believe that window for the Rays is certainly closing. I don't know if it's slammed shut, but with the Yankees and the Red Sox they leave you no margin for error. The Rays can win 90 games next year and miss out on the playoffs by seven or eight games and never come close, be eliminated with more than a week to go. I do think it will be very hard for them to duplicate what they did last year because all their young pitchers had to pitch a seventh month. For that same thing to happen, and all of them to stay healthy two years in a row is a very difficult assignment to do. David Price should help but again they'll be playing with expectations. But the biggest thing is the bar is set so high." --Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated

"healthy two years in a row". Kazmir missed near the first month of the season and never was fully healthy. Longoria missed six weeks towards the end of the season. Crawford missed the most significant time he has in his career. Floyd barely could run on two bad knees. Upton played through a torn labrum. "healthy two years in a row." If these injuries would've happened to a major market team there would've been so much 'woe is me' crap it could've furtilized the Gobi desert. The Rays won last year because of talent and amazing depth. Not because of health.

about 1 year ago Tiny raysfaninminnesota 2 comments 0 recs  | 

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Verducci's health comment was regarding the pitching

Having 1 starter miss 1 month is extraordinary health in a major league rotation. The top 5 starters made 153 of 162 starts. Playing hurt vs not playing at all is 2 different things. He may have been hurting, but Kaz had a pretty fine season nonetheless.

I believe there was some “woe is me” (more appropriately “woe, it’s Sir Sidney”) in NY last season with only 2 starters making 30 or more starts and numerous players missing time as well. I’m not saying the Rays didn’t do a good job of covering for their injuries, nor that they were immune. I think Verducci’s point is that should the Rays see more starting pitching injuries, and that is the norm not the exception, they could have some difficulties.

And Cliff Floyd couldn’t run on good knees. His swing seemed mostly okay though.

I wholeheartedly agree the Rays won on solid talent. But relatively good health, particularly on the pitching side, didn’t hurt any.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Dec 29, 2008 3:43 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

funny thing is that the rays are better than last year already and they havent even signed a DH yet

MLB-Rays,Marlins,Twins, and Reds
NFL-Vikings,Lions(i know Shut up),texans, and Bills
NBA-Timberwolves(also shut up),Cavilers(bye bye LeBron in '10)
NHL- Wild and Penguins
College-Gophers,Gators,Longhorns and Irish.
all of the above mentioned teams are in order by my favorites

by RaysOfHope on Dec 29, 2008 10:52 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

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