Roster Guessing

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 16, 2008 3:14 PM EDT

Rotation: Shields, Garza, Jackson, Hammel, Sonnanstine
Bullpen: Percival, Reyes, Wheeler, Glover, Miller, Dohmann, Howell
Catchers: Navarro, Riggans
Infielders: Pena, Iwamura, Bartlett, Aybar
Outfielders: Crawford, Upton, Gomes, Floyd
INF/OF: Johnson, Guzman, Hinske

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Re: Roster Guessing

No Balfour in your rotation? Why?

by KazforPresident on Mar 16, 2008 3:25 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Roster Guessing

He signed a split deal, meaning he can go to Durham.

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 16, 2008 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Roster Guessing

Hinske HAS to really make this team, too much versatility. If he can get more AB's than he did in Boston, in my opinion he can shock and surprise. I find it disappointing that you don't have Longoria in your lineup. I really think he has earned it this spring. I found it hypocritical of our good "friend" Topkin to have his dial posted at Longoria as the Opening Day 3B yet saying he should be sent down?

Also, Kazmir will still probably pitch in the opening set of games. May be semantics here, but Kazmir should have been included in your rotation set.

Joe

by joedobr on Mar 16, 2008 4:00 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Roster Guessing

He isn't saying he should be sent down. He is saying he expects him to be. The dial is there whenever he starts at 3B and has nothing to do with his view of what the Rays will do.

by bobr on Mar 16, 2008 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Roster Guessing

Well, then there is a contradiction. Topkin=Contradiction, but I will get off my box for now there.

Joe

by joedobr on Mar 16, 2008 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Roster Guessing

There is no contradiction of any sort. He is simply reporting when Longoria plays and, given he has some sources within the organization, speculates on the likelihood of Longoria being sent back to Durham. From what I have read elsewhere, and even listening carefully to Friedman interviewed today during the game, I think it likely Longoria will be sent down.

by bobr on Mar 16, 2008 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Roster Guessing

IMO its win/win, we either get to see him opening day in a Rays uniform or we get a extra year of guaranteed service time from him.

General Manager Manifesto Matt Bishoff

by Matt Bishoff on Mar 16, 2008 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Roster Guessing

Oh, incidentally, have you picked up the Rays' schedule? I know you were concerned with the preliminary one because it was so thin. The regular one is, of course, chock full of all the information a fan needs.

by bobr on Mar 16, 2008 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Roster Guessing

I did and it is still disappointing in the sense the heavy hitters aren't being scheduled on the weekends. I will get to a few games, but still wasn't the best of schedules I thought.

I guess Kazmir will be DLed to start the year? Anyone have a guess when he may make a first start?

Joe

by joedobr on Mar 16, 2008 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions

At NYY early on

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 16, 2008 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I couldn't disagree with you more

I am extremely happy that the "heavy hitters" aren't scheduled for the weekends, it makes my life far better and ensures that I will be going to more games. I have absolutely no interest in seeing the Red Sox or Yankees. Too crowded, too many obnoxious fans, and more expensive to boot. I'm so glad that those games have been pushed to weekdays.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Mar 16, 2008 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: I couldn't disagree with you more

For ambiance and "serenity", I agree with you, but the passion level is stoked when they come in. Its more rabid and more "northeastern" when they and their masses come in.

But as far as money coming in goes, well, its something to to keep note of as the season progresses. I would think there is going to be an attendance uptick. I would think 2 million should be broached and maybe more?

Joe

by joedobr on Mar 16, 2008 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Roster Guessing

Your complaint was not about the schedule but about the pocket version of it the Rays distributed. You were right that it did not include prices or times of games, but apparently you jumped the gun as it was obviously not the regular version. The regular one has all the information needed.

I don't know how schedules are set up, but I doubt the Rays create their own.

by bobr on Mar 16, 2008 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions

They don't

They often lobby MLB for favorable weekend games (I.E. games vs. New York and Boston), and the last two years they haven't gotten their wish.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Mar 16, 2008 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Roster Guessing

I haven't really looked at it too much, but I hope we don't have any road trips like last year where we went from Boston to Seattle to LA back to Tampa and basically made a big square around the country.

General Manager Manifesto Matt Bishoff

by Matt Bishoff on Mar 16, 2008 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Roster Guessing

Those cross country roadies are inexplicable. I notice when teams travel east to west they don't get a travel day off but west to east, you get one? I have always thought that creates a competitive imbalance to a certain degree.

Joe

by joedobr on Mar 16, 2008 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Roster Guessing

West to East loses three hours; not much, but still a noticeable difference that's probably the reason for the days off.

by lwmm on Mar 16, 2008 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Roster Guessing

Bob,

You have me confused for someone else. I NEVER complained about the pocket version of any schedule let alone the Rays schedule. I don't know why you said that.

Joe

by joedobr on Mar 16, 2008 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Roster Guessing

Perhaps, but my memory is that you had a diary in which you said that, while it might be nitpicking, you thought it (I do not remember the word, but it was a criticism) of the Rays to publish such an uninformative pocket schedule with no game times or seat prices. If I am wrong I apologize, but the reason I think I recall correctly is that it struck me as out of character for the Rays, but when I went to a practice session that is what I got. That is why I did not respond at the time. Recently, at a game, I got a full one and so thought again about that diary.

Again, if I mis-remember, I apologize.

by bobr on Mar 16, 2008 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Roster Guessing

You are absolutely right and I am absolutely wrong, so I offer sincere apologies and hope you accept them. I found the diary and it was someone else who wrote it. I should have checked first.

by bobr on Mar 16, 2008 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions

One more thing

Another win means a winning spring.

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 16, 2008 6:27 PM EDT reply actions

My guess for top 25

My projected 25 Man Roster

B.J. Upton CF
Carl Crawford LF
Jonny Gomes/Jon Weber or John Rodriguez RF
Cliff Floyd DH
Carlos Pena 1b
Akinori Iwamura 2b
Jason Bartlett SS
Eric Hinske 3b
Dioneer Navarro C
Mike Defilice or Hector Jimenez Backup C
Willy Aybar UTILITY
Elliot Johnson UTILITY

Pitchers

Scott Kazmir SP
James Shields SP
Matt Garza SP
Edwin Jackson SP
Jeff Niemann SP/MR

*Jason Hammel would be my choice to replace Kazmir in the rotation if he went on DL.

Andy Sonnanstine MR/SP
Gary Glover MR
J.P. Howell MR
Dan Wheeler MR
Trevor Miller MR
Al Reyes Set Up
Troy Pervcial CL

Sonny and Niemann are both battling for that #5 spot. Whoever doesn't get it will join J.P. Howell in long relief.

Joel Guzman, Jason Hammel(only if Kazmir doesn't go on the DL), Grant Balfour are released or sent down if they have options which I believe Balfour does.

I KNOW Longoria should be starting, but I'm afraid the Rays will send him down for a couple months to ensure his contract status to be under Rays control for another year. There were a couple of guys that could have gone eiter way (Scott Dohman, Kirk Birkins amoung others).

by iamthebiggesttloser on Mar 17, 2008 1:58 AM EDT reply actions