My 2012 Rays!

by baseball5 on Nov 23, 2011 12:25 AM EST

Hey guys. I waz bored so I decided to make my 2012 Rays.

Catcher: Since our catchers last yr weren't so good, I wud try trading for Texas' Taylor Teagarden. They seem to have run out of chances for him so he should b easy to get.

1st Base: I figured they cud reach a deal with the Reds for Shields for Alonso maybe a few players thrown in to make something like this James Shields and J.P. Howell for Yonder Alonso, Jose Arredondo and maybe Yasmani Grandal to fill it out.

DH: I definitely want the Rays to sign Jonny Gomes he is a right handed power bat who cud possibly compliment Matt Joyce against lefties. If there is enough money you could sign either Posada or Damon to add some roster depth.

Since these are the main changes I wud make aside from some small bench or bullpen additions here's how the roster would look:

c - Taylor Teagarden
1B- Yonder Alonso
2B - Ben Zobrist
3B - Evan Longoria
SS - Sean Rodriguez
LF - Desmond Jennings
CF - B.J. Upton
RF - Matt Joyce
DH - Jorge Posada/Johnny Damon

ST1 - David Price
ST2 - Jeremy Hellickson
ST3 - Matt Moore
ST4 - Wade Davis
ST5 - Jeff Niemann

Bullpen - CL - Farnsworth
Jose Arredondo
Jake McGee
Brandon Gomes
Joel Peralta
Alex Torres
Andy Sonnanstine

Bench: Jaso/Chirnos, Jonny Gomes, Fuld/Guyer, Brignac/Johnson

The team's already pretty much in place but I think they cud keep up with the Yankees and Red Sox with these additions with their already beast pitching staff.

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

Where to begin ?

Jose Molina will certainly be part of the catching tandem in 2012. I suspect that one of Chirinos / Jaso / Lobaton will be the other half, although I wound not be shocked if the Rays acquired someone else.

I doubt that the Moore breaks camp with the club. IF Shields is traded then Alex Torres would likely be the 5th starter IMO. Cobb rehabbing in Durham and Moore avoiding service time until the break. I also can`t see J.P. Howell being part of any package as he is unlikely to get offered arbitration.

I think Andy Sonnanstine has played his last game in a Rays uniform.

Jorge Posada sold his house in Tampa recently and I would not expect a home discount to sign with us.Damon and Posada both at DH ? Neither Posada nor Damon should even bring a glove to ST. Gomes is interesting to a point, but I a hoping someone like JD Drew, Vlad Guerrero or Maglio Ordonez slips through the cracks and signs late for relatively little.

Finally the red lines under the words are your friends. Keep trying a different combination of letters until they go away. I know that this might be a little condescending but I found your post difficult to read.

by Moore Guerreri and Cheese on Nov 23, 2011 2:40 AM EST reply actions

The OTTOTD is friendlier than this response.

Am I the only one flagging this guy?
Seriously, do we have to wait for the money shot or a "F*** THE SOXXXXXX!" before we ban him? Doubleteapot… BAN HIM!!

by AlohaSox on Sep 28, 2011 10:20 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Nov 23, 2011 7:17 AM EST up reply actions

Those OTT guys are so mean!

@RealNolenBailey

by Hatfield on Nov 23, 2011 4:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

THEY RUINED DRB!

Am I the only one flagging this guy?
Seriously, do we have to wait for the money shot or a "F*** THE SOXXXXXX!" before we ban him? Doubleteapot… BAN HIM!!

by AlohaSox on Sep 28, 2011 10:20 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Nov 23, 2011 4:23 PM EST up reply actions

dude if Shields is traded

we def need Moore in the rotation. His control is drastically improved and with the stuff I don’t think we can afford to send him to Triple A and I meant either Posada or Damon not both.

by baseball5 on Nov 24, 2011 12:48 PM EST up reply actions

Don't you see what is happening with David Price?

We brought him up too early and look at what it will cost us. He will likely have to be traded next offseason and his price tag jumped way up. In reality, we can’t afford for him to start the season in the majors.

I AM THE MONSTER - The big SCARY monsta

by sc_monsta1015 on Nov 24, 2011 3:09 PM EST up reply actions

I am not sure that we can afford not to send him down.

This super 2 rule is a killer for a team like the Rays

by Moore Guerreri and Cheese on Nov 24, 2011 3:09 PM EST up reply actions

yea nobody is doubting that he isn't good enough to be in the rotation

he is probably the best pitcher on this team, but sadly it is the best move for the team to send him back down.

by Dbullsfan on Nov 26, 2011 12:00 PM EST up reply actions

Well, right off the bat, Teagarden...does he even hit in the minors anymore?

And we signed Jose Molina.
Andy Sonnanstine will not be tendered.
I’m sorry but Arrendondo is useless and I just don’t feel like we’re getting enough to trade maybe the best (for now) of our big 4
Staying on the big 4, Moore, as dumb as it is since he won the only postseason game will not make the team unless there is a trade and an injury. Even then, they might go to Alex Torres.
I like Gomes, pretty nice platoon with Posada if you see a rebound season coming. Personally, I would just go with Damon again.
Guys like Michael Wuertz and Dan Wheeler need to be considered for bullpen spots. And by the way, if Russell ever becomes effective, it wont be with us, he’s with the Braves.
The pen has 4 locks: Kyle Farnsworth, Joel Peralta, Jake McGee and Brandon Gomes. Personally, I would just put Torres there all season so that’s 5. Leaving a battle of any FA’s, Matt Bush, Dane De La Rosa, Cesar Ramos and hell, you never know, maybe Neimann/Davis/Archer will fight for a bullpen spot.

Basically, a good off season for me is.

- Matt Moore makes the team
- Alex Torres is in the pen all season, along with Matt Bush and a FA like Michael Wuertz
- Resign Damon
-Get rid of Elliot Johnson, just get rid of him, FA or Canzler or whatever, he got his 1 season and it was 1 season too many.
- Try a rotation of Price – Shields – Hellickson – Moore – Neimann/Cobb
- Trade Davis for a future C
- Find a stop gap 1B unless Wade can get us Alonso
- Keep Upton, Jennings in LF and let Joyce finally start everyday. He held his own against lefties this season and sorta crushed them in postseason, including an atom bomb off Derek Holland.
- Stop worrying about no options cough Elliot Johnson cough and don’t just give Jaso the starting job. Either sign Ramon Hernendez or at least make it a real battle with Chirinos, Lobaton and Jaso.

Under construction

by joeybw on Nov 23, 2011 5:01 AM EST reply actions

Joyce

Joyce had an OPS of .657 against lefties in 2011 and has a career OPS of .601. He still needs ti sit against lefties.

by MetsRaysFan on Nov 23, 2011 9:33 AM EST reply actions

My 2012 Rays

Catcher: Molina/Lobaton
1B: Lucas Duda/Cheap Ross Gload type guy
2B: Zobrist
3B: Longoria
SS: SeanRod/Brignac
LF: Jennings/Fuld
CF: Upton
RF: Joyce
DH: Johnny Damon
SP: Shields, Price, Hellickson, Davis, Moore (after 1st month)
RP: Farnsworth, Peralta, Gomes, McGee, Torres, Frank Francisco (sleeper pick), Sonnanstine

This is only off the top of my head, and it might be expensive

I AM THE MONSTER - The big SCARY monsta

by sc_monsta1015 on Nov 23, 2011 11:10 AM EST reply actions

This is an excellent post and I agree on all points.

Would you consider doing a weekly column?

@RealNolenBailey

by Hatfield on Nov 23, 2011 1:59 PM EST reply actions

*wud

@RealNolenBailey

by Hatfield on Nov 23, 2011 2:01 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

its hilarious

I AM THE MONSTER - The big SCARY monsta

by sc_monsta1015 on Nov 23, 2011 2:31 PM EST up reply actions

Is this a great troll?

by Erik Hahmann on Nov 23, 2011 2:49 PM EST reply actions

Not a troll, seems like an average Rays fan giving their opinion. Why automatically call someone with poor spelling skills a troll?

Seems like the past few weeks most/all of the site writers are very quick to aggressively brand users as trolls. I’ve now seen each of Erik, Bradlee and Cason lose their cool with posters. Dunno why you guys can’t be a bit more diplomatic in your responses to people.

I could care less about your graduate degree-I was a full professor at Harvard at 34 and am a full professor at Columbia now in a theoretical field whose main tool is statistical mechanics. So can can come down from your high place.

by Buzzy on Sep 24, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

by pudieron89 on Nov 23, 2011 4:36 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I do agree with this to a degree.

Sometimes I feel like the writes needs to be more “diplomatic” in their responses to fans and respect that every fan has an opinion. After all, a year ago, a post with Kotchman would have been laughed at. Look where that has gone.

I do admit that I have yet to see Steve slip up on this matter, and I appreciate it.

by mr. maniac on Nov 23, 2011 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

Diplomacy has always been a hallmark of the site.

@RealNolenBailey

by Hatfield on Nov 23, 2011 5:07 PM EST up reply actions

How did I lose my cool?

by Erik Hahmann on Nov 25, 2011 3:48 PM EST up reply actions

The story not, but rec'ing it by the boyz club is

I'm not a fanboy, I'm a _______

by Jason Collette on Nov 23, 2011 8:35 PM EST up reply actions

Is this the sort of thing you ostracized them for?

Am I the only one flagging this guy?
Seriously, do we have to wait for the money shot or a "F*** THE SOXXXXXX!" before we ban him? Doubleteapot… BAN HIM!!

by AlohaSox on Sep 28, 2011 10:20 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Nov 24, 2011 7:36 AM EST up reply actions

Wait, I mean the sort of thing for which you ostracized them?

Is that the correct English?

Am I the only one flagging this guy?
Seriously, do we have to wait for the money shot or a "F*** THE SOXXXXXX!" before we ban him? Doubleteapot… BAN HIM!!

by AlohaSox on Sep 28, 2011 10:20 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Nov 24, 2011 7:37 AM EST up reply actions

We always encourage participation in the features & fanposts

I'm not a fanboy, I'm a _______

by Jason Collette on Nov 24, 2011 8:35 AM EST up reply actions

Except participation like rec'ing this fanpost?

Am I the only one flagging this guy?
Seriously, do we have to wait for the money shot or a "F*** THE SOXXXXXX!" before we ban him? Doubleteapot… BAN HIM!!

by AlohaSox on Sep 28, 2011 10:20 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Nov 24, 2011 9:33 AM EST up reply actions

from Topper

It’s about time that DRB got back to what made it so great in the first place, people ironically rec’ing retard sh*t

So, yea, that’s not encouraged

I'm not a fanboy, I'm a _______

by Jason Collette on Nov 24, 2011 9:53 AM EST up reply actions

haha that's pretty funny.

They’re being more welcoming to new posters already!

Am I the only one flagging this guy?
Seriously, do we have to wait for the money shot or a "F*** THE SOXXXXXX!" before we ban him? Doubleteapot… BAN HIM!!

by AlohaSox on Sep 28, 2011 10:20 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Nov 24, 2011 10:14 AM EST up reply actions

nice to see you respect "read more, post less" at ottotd.com

by Buzzy on Sep 24, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

by pudieron89 on Nov 24, 2011 3:01 PM EST up reply actions

He's obsessed.

@RealNolenBailey

by Hatfield on Nov 24, 2011 4:23 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

When so many of you showed up at once, I figured something was up :)

I'm not a fanboy, I'm a _______

by Jason Collette on Nov 24, 2011 9:39 PM EST up reply actions

Like vultures.

@RealNolenBailey

by Hatfield on Nov 24, 2011 10:09 PM EST up reply actions

or flies

Happy Thanksgiving – hope you drank good beers today

I'm not a fanboy, I'm a _______

by Jason Collette on Nov 24, 2011 10:45 PM EST up reply actions

boom! outta here...

by Buzzy on Sep 24, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

by pudieron89 on Nov 25, 2011 12:44 AM EST up reply actions

wut? No rec?

Son I am disappoint

I'm not a fanboy, I'm a _______

by Jason Collette on Nov 25, 2011 7:59 AM EST up reply actions

fwiw, I think the Teagarden, Arredondo, and Sonny are terrible, but if the rest of that was our 2012 opening day roster, I'd be pretty optimistic about our chances at a fourth playoff run in 5 years.

by Buzzy on Sep 24, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

by pudieron89 on Nov 23, 2011 4:37 PM EST reply actions

Is this fair for both sides?

Shields, Elliot Johnson, Chirinos, and Alex Colome to the Marlins for LoMo, Yelich, Bonifacio and Chad James? I like it for both sides. I know it is video game like, but it’s good to dream.

I AM THE MONSTER - The big SCARY monsta

by sc_monsta1015 on Nov 23, 2011 6:00 PM EST reply actions

Elliot Johnson is a strong non-tender & the Marlins know this so he's not a value add at all

The Rays trading prospects is just not in their blood and you rarely see teams swapping prospects in deals to that level.

I'm not a fanboy, I'm a _______

by Jason Collette on Nov 23, 2011 8:29 PM EST up reply actions

Really curious to know, and this is somewhat on topic to your post.

Who’s the last prospect the Rays traded?

Am I the only one flagging this guy?
Seriously, do we have to wait for the money shot or a "F*** THE SOXXXXXX!" before we ban him? Doubleteapot… BAN HIM!!

by AlohaSox on Sep 28, 2011 10:20 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Nov 24, 2011 7:39 AM EST up reply actions

If you count Fernando Perez, he would be it

I'm not a fanboy, I'm a _______

by Jason Collette on Nov 24, 2011 8:37 AM EST up reply actions

I don't count him.

I guess technically he would have been a prospect because of his limited AB, right? But he was turning 28 a couple months after that deal. On the same note, I don’t really consider Chirinos a prospect, either. But I guess that wouldn’t be correct, either.

Am I the only one flagging this guy?
Seriously, do we have to wait for the money shot or a "F*** THE SOXXXXXX!" before we ban him? Doubleteapot… BAN HIM!!

by AlohaSox on Sep 28, 2011 10:20 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Nov 24, 2011 9:27 AM EST up reply actions

There was another prospect in that trade-- a pitcher.

Matt Gorgen too.

by mr. maniac on Nov 24, 2011 11:44 AM EST up reply actions

hmm

he didn’t play last season.

Am I the only one flagging this guy?
Seriously, do we have to wait for the money shot or a "F*** THE SOXXXXXX!" before we ban him? Doubleteapot… BAN HIM!!

by AlohaSox on Sep 28, 2011 10:20 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Nov 24, 2011 12:08 PM EST up reply actions

think he had TJS

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Nov 24, 2011 11:08 PM EST up reply actions

He did.

by mr. maniac on Nov 25, 2011 4:44 PM EST up reply actions

the last B or higher prospect, though?

by Buzzy on Sep 24, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

by pudieron89 on Nov 24, 2011 3:01 PM EST up reply actions

I suppose it depends on what you mean by prospect.

And I am not certain of the time line. But among the young players the Rays have traded there are: Meloan, Gorgen and Pridie. And while they did have some major league time, Hammel and Talbot were still relatively inexperienced and with room to develop when the Rays dealt each. They also included Rosscup in the Garza deal.

I think the point is that they have not dealt a high profile prospect (unless you want to include Delmon or Dukes in that category) such as Colome or even Chirinos.

by bobr on Nov 24, 2011 9:39 AM EST up reply actions

Thanks.

Am I the only one flagging this guy?
Seriously, do we have to wait for the money shot or a "F*** THE SOXXXXXX!" before we ban him? Doubleteapot… BAN HIM!!

by AlohaSox on Sep 28, 2011 10:20 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Nov 24, 2011 9:48 AM EST up reply actions

I was trying to find a guy that had zero work at the big league level that was put into a trade

since the guy proposed Colome.

I'm not a fanboy, I'm a _______

by Jason Collette on Nov 24, 2011 9:55 AM EST up reply actions

The immortal Rhyne Hughes?

by Ben Tumbling on Nov 24, 2011 7:11 PM EST up reply actions

Josh Butler too

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Nov 24, 2011 11:08 PM EST up reply actions

Eduardo Morlan?

by Dbullsfan on Nov 26, 2011 12:10 PM EST up reply actions

Morlan was let go

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Nov 26, 2011 2:45 PM EST up reply actions

Matt Gorgen (acquired Qualls)

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Nov 24, 2011 11:07 PM EST up reply actions

Weren't all of these guys C- type prospects?

Colome is a stronger pedigree, no?

I'm not a fanboy, I'm a _______

by Jason Collette on Nov 25, 2011 12:11 AM EST up reply actions

Sickels had Gorgen as a C+ heading into 2010, but yea he isn't Colome

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Nov 25, 2011 11:07 AM EST up reply actions

I see what you mean

It seemed like a good video game trade to me! :)

I AM THE MONSTER - The big SCARY monsta

by sc_monsta1015 on Nov 24, 2011 10:16 AM EST up reply actions

The "wud" and "cud" were killing me to read. .

This team would not be that good. Thanks for sharing. Why did we post this fan post on the main site? Qaulity much?

Blah!

by thebaddancingraysfan on Nov 27, 2011 10:58 AM EST reply actions

My 2012 Rays

C: Molina/Lobathon
1B: Kotchman/LoMo
2B: Zobrist
3B: Longoria
SS: S-Rod/Brignac
LF: Guyer/Canzler
CF: Jennings/Fuld
RF: Joyce/Fuld
DH: Logan Morrison/Canzler
BN: Canzler, Fuld, Brignac, Lobathon

SP: Shields, Price, Hellickson, Davis, Cobb/Moore(Avoid Super 2)
RP: Farnsworth, Peralta, Gomes, McGee, Broxton, Ramos, Lueke(Sonnanstein Role)

Send Nimeann, Upton for Logan Morrison
Sign Broxton for incentive base
Trade Shields after 2012 for prospects
Sign Kotchman for 2/7m so LoMo earns time to learn 1B defense

by Hak Ju Lee on Nov 29, 2011 5:17 AM EST reply actions

Morrison's already a 1b

Am I the only one flagging this guy?
Seriously, do we have to wait for the money shot or a "F*** THE SOXXXXXX!" before we ban him? Doubleteapot… BAN HIM!!

by AlohaSox on Sep 28, 2011 10:20 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Nov 29, 2011 7:19 AM EST up reply actions