I'm not sure if I'm on the same page as Gomes. I'll tell you though, if I see Longoria come up two weeks into April or May, then I'll be pissed, and the move is pure to keep the guy under contract longer or to keep him from arbitration eligibility. If we want the guy, then just pay the man. It's as simple as that. I know it's easy for me to say that, but how do you expect to get revenue if you have no one to display other than Willy Freakin Aybar, which I'm not a big fan of in the first place, no offense Willy. Just a rant.

Disgruntled Asian Fan

86 days of service time for Super 2, eh? I guess things will be REALLY fishy if Longo gets the call right before the Marlins series at home in June (game 77 - 79)... no pun intended.

To be honest, it's not like Longoria was dominant during spring training, so I think this whole thing of him absolutely positively being ready is a bit overblown.  He couldn't hit anything with a wrinkle in it.

Just a week ago I got backlash from 'suggesting' the POSSIBLE downside of sending Longoria down

Everyone can measure exactly how much we gain fgrom sending him down, but it ios IMPOSSIBLE to have predicted what were capable of losing in the long run by sending him down

I can live with the decision, I knew that whatever decision they made would have positives and negatives. I just hope now that the decision has been made, that there isn't a clubhouse full of angry guys that will hold some resentment towards the amdinistration over this. I also hope this doesnt effect this teams "new" image to the fringe  fans and local businesses

"To be honest, it's not like Longoria was dominant during spring training, so I think this whole thing of him absolutely positively being ready is a bit overblown.  He couldn't hit anything with a wrinkle in it."

Tell this to BJ Upton, CC, Kazmir, Gomes, etc. They dont seem to agree with you

Crawford seemed to believe we were moving in the right direction, he was really starting to buy into the "Ray way". Now, maybe his thoughts have changed a little. Was it worth saving a few million and a year of FA to send a message to the clubhouse that $$$ > baseball?

"I don't know, man, that's just a sensitive topic right now...So I don't really know the reaction that guys are going to have just yet." - Crawford

I LOVE the front office and management, so don't assume I am against them. I just think they were in a tight spot, and there will be a domino effect

Does CC decide he wants to play in LA or NY whens he is a FA, for a real team who wouldve with 100% certainty had Longoria starting at 3B on opening day? Does this tell Crawford that his friend/peer/teammate is being squeezed out of $$$ with very little reason to do so other than to save money?

How does this effect whether BJ, Kazmir and Crawford decide to sign longterm eventually? I dont think any of this can me measured right now, other than asking the players themselves. They seem to be unhappy initially. The RAys apologists will sweep this under the rug, until one of these guys comes out and says he is deifnitely bolting when their contract runs out. Until then I guess we can all sip the kool aid

Im not saying Longoria going down didnt need to happen, what I am most concerned with is the opinions of the players and after that the businesses and fans who will choose to support or not support this team

If the Rays are committed to winning this year they should do everything they can to win games this year.  Whether it is starting Longoria in the majors, or making the decision to start Shields in the 5th game, on regular rest.  

You look at almost any other quality major league team and if they have a day off in the first 5 days of the season, they are having their ace make his 2nd start before they have the 5th starter make his first.  It makes sense.  If you want to win, you put your best players on the field.

Unless the Rays are going to turn into the Buffalo Sabres and let all of their talent get to their last year before free agency before they discuss a contract, they have nothing to worry about with Longoria.

His presence on the team brings nothing but positive vibes, from teammates to the media.  It would also give ESPN a reason to show Rays highlights too!!!

"NY or LA typically wouldn't leave themselves in the position of relying on a rookie with 100 AB's in AAA and Willy Aybar as the fallback at an important offense position. "

No doubt. NY wouldve traded Longoria 1 year ago, and they would have paid the "sure thing" FA 20 mil per year to play 3B  (if A Rod wasnt there)

jk man, I know they are different situations. Because New York's recent history hasn't involved players from their farm system becoming main cogs in their lineup. Aside from a couple guys the past couple years like Robinson Cano, Joba, Melky, and Phil Hughes. If none of these players were being blocked, and were ready, New York would call them up. see: Robinson Cano

Either way, the end game is our players see this as a move of weakness, and why not go to New York or LA where these types of decisions are never even considered? I think that is the mindframe we want our players to stay FAR, FAR AWAY from.

Whether it is right for them to think that way or not, it has to be a worry ESPECIALLY with the comments that have already been made by Gomes, CC and Upton