2011 Lineup and rotation?

by Danny180 on May 3, 2009 1:14 AM EDT Comment 10 comments

Hey my name is Danny and i'm new and this is my first post. Now would probably not be the best time to make this post seeing that we are trying to bounce back from a sour 1st month. The offseason would probably be better but I just wanted to ask for shizits and grizits...what will the roster look like in 2011? Not 2010 I think it will be the same because Burrell will still be DH and all key players are under contract except for CC. I say let him walk we could use that 15% of the payroll to extend BJ and Pena. I suggested on a recent post we trade Kazmir and Niemman for Nate Mclouth in a three way with the m's and bucs that would send crawford to seattle but a few people disagreed. I think 2011 would be an interesting season with young talent coming to fruition. Will Davis and Hellboy be in the rotation to give us K factor? Who will anchor the bullpen when percy is gone after this year? Will we have an everyday rightfielder? Can Jennings replace crawford? Would Beckham turn out to be our Rabbit Maranville? I think our best years are ahead...do you agree?

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Eh, why not?

C Dioner Navarro
C John Jaso
1B Not currently in organization. Draft pick/FA/Trade
2B Reid Brignac
SS Jason Bartlett
3B Evan Longoria
LF Desmond Jennings
CF B.J. Upton
RF Matt Joyce
DH Not currently in organization. Draft pick/FA/Trade

BN Willy Aybar
BN Ben Zobrist

SP Scott Kazmir
SP James Shields
SP Matt Garza
SP David Price
SP Wade Davis

RP J.P Howell
RP Mitch Talbot
CL Jake McGee

www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on May 3, 2009 2:13 AM EDT reply actions

A few notes

Gone are Sonnanstine(ineffectiveness), Niemann(didn’t work as a reliever, another team tries him as SP), Crawford(traded in 09-10 offseason or let go after 10), just about everyone from the bullpen,

Knocking on the door to arrive soon are Nick Barnese(who became a top-25 prospect after a big 2010 split between A+ and AA) and Alex Cobb, who’s a Mitch Talbot-level prospect. Jeremy Hellickson was traded and has been hit hard in limited MLB action for his team. Matt Moore either couldn’t get his walks under control or suffered an injury. There’s some hope but a lot of uncertainty.

At the MLB level, Matt Garza has taken over as the team’s ace. Scott Kazmir never really returned to his 2007 level, but he’s still a good starter. James Shields has become a solid #3-type starter, a durable innings-eater. David Price never reaches his lofty expectations, but he’s still an above-average pitcher. Wade Davis pitched very well in the second half of 2010 and is a big breakout candidate.

Evan Longoria is coming off an MVP/Gold Glove season and is the face of the franchise. B.J. Upton’s power hasn’t yet gotten to the 30-HR level and we’re doubting if it ever will. Desmond Jennings almost instantly became the major’s best leadoff hitter, getting on base and stealing bases while playing plus defense. Reid Brignac shifted over to second base after Akinori Iwamura’s option was declined and settled in as a solid regular, not a star. Jason Bartlett is still at SS, but the team is looking for a long-term solution as Tim Beckham’s bat has struggled in the Florida State League.

The Rays got some more good, if not great seasons from Carlos Pena, but he goes to free agency at the urging of Scott Boras. The Rays, not wanting to overpay for a now-aging 1B, let him walk.

J.P. Howell continued to be an effective reliever for the Rays, while Mitch Talbot refined his changeup to be a great weapon out of the bullpen. Jake McGee struggled in his comeback from Tommy John at first, but his velocity returned in 2010 and he dominates out of the bullpen for Durham to start the year. He loses little steam when called up to the majors, blowing hitters away and becoming entrenched as the Rays’ closer in time to record the final out of the 2010 World Series.

www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on May 3, 2009 2:28 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Not sure about the Upton part, you saw what he did in the playoffs last year.

Even if he never has a 30+HR(which I still believe he can, give him some time to get his swing back) season he’s still a Gold Glove centerfielder with excellent on-base skills and a 50SB guy.

by twenty5psi on May 3, 2009 2:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Of course he's still a very good player without the HRs

I think he slides into the #2 spot next season, on-base skills with like 15-20 HRs.

www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on May 3, 2009 2:45 AM EDT up reply actions

I feel like I am in a Conan O'Brian "Year 2000" skit.

But, didn’t we do something like this a few weeks ago. But oh well.

C-Alejandro Segovia (Rookie of the Year canidate)
C- (Back up) Matt Spring
Navarro is traded for minor leaguers after inconsistent season behind the plate and at bat.
1B- Willy Aybar
Carlos Pena signs a multi-year deal with Boston.
2B- Ried Brignac
Aki seeks free agency and signs with the Dodgers.
SS- Jason Bartlett
3B- Evan Longoria (Defending MVP)
RF- Matt Joyce
CF- Fernando Perez
LF- Desmond Jennings (Reigning rookie of the Year)
BJ Upton was traded for minor league prospects.
Carl Crawford was granted free agency and signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Bench: John Jaso 1B/3B although there is some talk that he might replace Aybar as the everyday first basemen.
SS/2B/3B- Ben Zobrist
OF/IF Cris Nowak
DH- Free Agent Signing or Pat Burrell who wants to finish out his career as a Ray.

Starters:
Wade Davis
Scott Kazmir
James Shields
David Price
Jeremey Hellickson

Matt Garza was traded after he demanded to be traded to a west coast team after a disagreement during contract negotiations.

There was a close competition between Hellickson and Heath Rollins, Hellickson won even though Rollins had a better spring.

Bench:

Jake McGee(Closer)
Mitch Talbot (Set-up)
Matt Gorgan
Dale Thayer
JP Howell
Marquis Flemming
Ryan Ried

The young and consistent bullpen is the pride of the majors.

In the name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!

by thebaddancingraysfan on May 3, 2009 4:18 AM EDT reply actions

So your opening day line-up will be:

LF-Desmond Jennings
CF-Fernando Perez
3B-Evan Longria
RF-Matt Joyce
DH-Pat Burrell
1B-Willy Aybar
C-Alejandro Segovia
SS-Jason Bartlett
2B- Ried Brignac

Wade Davis is on the mound for opening day. Bench coach Troy Percival is very proud of the young Davis even though he needs to pay his dues and do Percy’s laundry.

In the name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!

by thebaddancingraysfan on May 3, 2009 4:27 AM EDT up reply actions