Who will we see first?

by gavind on Mar 25, 2008 9:04 PM EDT

It has been debated to death, but the fate of Evan Longoria was finally decided yesterday. He will start the season as a Durham Bull. There has been some discussion by the team that he needs to cut down on his strikeouts, but we do not have a clear indication of when we should expect him in a Rays uniform again.

Additionally, Scott Kazmir is just beginning to throw long toss and has not climbed the hill since his elbow injury. His timetable has continued to slip since he was slated to pitch an inning on the 16th of March. He will start the season on the DL, and we have not heard any clear indication of when he will make his first start for the Rays in 2008.

So who do you think we will see first in 2008 and when?

Poll

Who will we see first?

Evan Longoria

11 votes

Scott Kazmir

33 votes

44 votes | Poll has closed

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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Comments

Kaz. No doubt.

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 25, 2008 9:11 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Kaz. No doubt.

I hope you're right, but I keep hearing the chatter that Longo needs around 12 days in AAA to extend his start to free agency until 2014. If that is true, he would be in Tampa before May 1st. I do not expect Kaz before May 1st unfortunately.

by gavind on Mar 25, 2008 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Kaz. No doubt.

Longoria is staying down for about 20 games. All he needs is 12 games, but they'll keep him down a month. Kazmir's target is around the Disney series. So I'd guess that Kaz makes it first.

by Tyler on Mar 25, 2008 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Kaz. No doubt.

What is your source for Kaz's target date?

by gavind on Mar 25, 2008 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Kaz. No doubt.

A guy who went to High School with him.

by Tyler on Mar 25, 2008 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Kaz. No doubt.

That's assuming FA avoidance is the concern, and not also avoiding Super 2 status in 2011. If the latter is an issue, Longoria won't be up until late May.

If you're giving him added development time, 20 games (80 AB) is what he needs? Shouldn't that be determined by his actual development? 20 games would seem a transparent admission that this was all about FA status, unless of course he helps out by absolutely tearing it up in that stretch. But this will get spun, and interpreted, from preconceived notions on both sides.

Assuming no setbacks, Kaz back first.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Mar 26, 2008 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions