Congratulations to the Rays

by B Cap on Sep 21, 2008 8:21 AM EDT Comment 13 comments

Hey guys, Just wanted to drop in from up north and say congratuations - you've won the toughest division in baseball beating out two teams with the highest payrolls in the sport. That's a real accomplishment and I'm glad Rays fans have something to cheer about. Good luck in October!! (I hope the Rays, Sox and Cubs form a pact to kneecap the Angels -ANYONE but them please...) I definitely had you guys pegged to be contenters as soon as the name Kazmir appeared on the roster but I thought it would take till next year to really make it all work.

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Thanks

And hopefully we have a great series in the ALCS.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Sep 21, 2008 10:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Rays haven't won the division yet.

If I make this assumption right now, then I assume that the Angels will finish with the best record in the AL, and I’m not ready to do that either (the Rays are 2.5 games back of the Angels).

by kericr on Sep 21, 2008 11:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm gonna use this thread

Because I’m also a non-fan who wants to express congratulations.

You guys give the Orioles hope for 2009, 2010, 2011, and beyond. You said that it’s possible…I wish you guys to continue to win next year, and hopefully we’ll join you up there soon.

I’mma see you guys play on Tuesday and I have a feeling that it’s gonna be the sweetest games i go to all year. If my go-to-game losing streak HAS to reach 7 games…well I insist that it comes from the Rays.

The stock market will never recover, our armies will never again be #1, and our children will drink filthy water for the rest of their lives - HST

by the fix is in on Sep 21, 2008 1:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

I am curious what in your view should be the Orioles plan going forward. Seems to me you have the makings of a terrific offense with your outfield and with Weiters possibly becoming your Longoria next year. If Guthrie is ok you may also have your version of Shields and there are a couple of high profile pitching prospects who should be ready soon. My impression is that 2010 is a target for beginning to make a move up. Would you agree?

But it also seems to me that the Orioles have to make some very careful decisions that can make or break them. My impression is that now is the time to cash in Huff and Sherrill who might bring some real depth in talent for the system and look to get what you can for Mora, Millar, Hernandez, Scott and D. Cabrera as well. (I tend to think Roberts ought to be kept even if he is 30.) If the organization expects Huff and Mora to remain valuable when the team is competitive, then I think they will have screwed up a big opportunity.

I don’t visit other sites much, so I may be talking nonsense to those of you more informed but am curious what your view is of the Orioles’ direction.

by bobr on Sep 21, 2008 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

New Management?

REally, I’ve always thought that they had talented players, and enough payroll (sorta) but that the team just wasn’t managed that well – particularly the front office…Again, I could be just spouting uninformed bullshit.

You can take the boy outta Boston, but you can't take the Boston outta the boy.

by B Cap on Sep 21, 2008 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

New ownership

Angelos has instituted all kinds of dumb policies and edicts over the years. He treats the team more like his toy than like an investment, but he’s not actually smart about it like, say, Mark Cuban. He just hasn’t been as public about it as Big George / Little Hank.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Sep 21, 2008 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are right about Huff and Sherrill

I believe that the Orioles would have traded either of them if a good enough offer came around. Too many teams knew that we would be really open to trading them, and MacPhail decided to keep his cards close…Sherrill is cheap, so it may be good to keep him on the team for a little while.

I really wanted to send Huff back to you guys. I just didn’t understand why there were no takers for a LEFTY slugger, .300 hitter, 30 HRs. Did he say some shit about Tampa? He called Baltimore horseshit, but we started to overlook that fact by the end of June.

It’s whatever, we’ll probably make a really great trade or two this offseason. If we can get a trade that is even close to that 5-players-for-Bedard deal with Seattle, we are in great shape for 2010 and beyond.

It all comes down to pitching though. I agree with you about our offense, other than a few holes (esspecially pos 6), it can light up. We have 3 people with 50 doubles… anyway, our pitching is horrible, Guthrie was our only good one. I haven’t given up on Burres or Liz yet. We’re probably only going to get 1 or 2 quality pitchers from the players that are currently in our farm system.

I remember for the last two years Sports Illustrated ran an article (or cover?) that was like “RAYS PLAYOFFS 2010!” and this all came two years early. So I dunno, something wants me to say 2012 for the Orioles, with 2010 being our first “good” year.

The stock market will never recover, our armies will never again be #1, and our children will drink filthy water for the rest of their lives - HST

by the fix is in on Sep 22, 2008 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seems very reasonable.

The reason I think the Orioles should deal Sherrill is that I have little use for closers on non-contenders, while they can be overvalued by contenders. Additonally, I am not convinced he will remain a top notch closer; actually after the early part of the year I don’t think he was this year.

The Rays may have a problem down the stretch and in the playoffs because we do not really have that out and out stopper in the bullpen, but I still think it is always possible to find a worthwhile closer during a season. If the Rays are hurt this post-season by that problem (and there is no guarantee they will be) they have plenty of opportunities to fix that situation next year. I don’t think a non-contender should ever hang onto a closer if they can get good value for him.

That is one reason I think the Royals are making a mistake with Soria. If they intend to move him into the rotation I can understand their unwillingness to trade him, but if they intend him to remain the closer then I think they are being foolish hanging onto him when he would probably command a huge return in a trade.

by bobr on Sep 22, 2008 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

First class. Thank you for your best wishes.

The line it is drawn/The curse it is cast/The slow one now/Will later be fast/ As the present now/Will later be past/The order is/Rapidly fadin'./And the first one now/Will later be last/For the times they are a-changin'..- Bob Dylan

by thebaddancingraysfan on Sep 21, 2008 6:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank you sir.

I wouldn’t mind seeing another series between our two teams in the CS.

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 21, 2008 6:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rays/Cubs?

I have to say, I really like the Sox this year – they are well rounded and have dealt with injuries and Manny going to LA much better than expected, but the Rays just have that LOOK this year. Like they KNOW they can take it. I haven’t been paying attention, but how’s your record against the Angels this year? I think who ever beats them goes to the Series.

You can take the boy outta Boston, but you can't take the Boston outta the boy.

by B Cap on Sep 21, 2008 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

6-3, but regression will bite them anyways.

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 21, 2008 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

congratulations rays!

ive really been pulling for you guys the past few years (been a rays fan for a bit, although not a huge one, but ive always liked them, especially with Joe Maddon being there, a former Angels man himself). If this isnt the angels year, i really hope you guys crush the sox (both versions) and win the WS for the AL

Exceeding expectations is less a matter of luck than possession of certain assets.

by anaheim angels on Sep 21, 2008 9:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs