It's been exciting figuring out and arguing over who will be on the 25 man roster for the ALDS.  There is a good chance that the rosters will change a bit for the ALCS and World Series (Lord willing).  Do only players on the World Series roster get a ring if we win?  Do only players that took part in the playoffs get the honor?  What about Jonny Gomes?  What about other players that contributed during the season but weren't around at the end of the season?  Gary Glover?  Mike DiFilice?  Nathan Haynes?  What about players injured all year?  Chad Orvella?  I realize this is not that important in big scheme of things but I was just curious. 

I cannot wait to leave work tomorrow at noon and head straight to Fergs!  GO RAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think we should have a "Baldelli Watch 2008" section where we can see how Rocco did in his most recent rehab game.  I see he went 1-3 with a K and a BB in his first AA game.  I think that most people, while not optimistic about seeing #5 come back this year (or ever), are generally hopeful and like to follow his progress. 

As I said, just an idea.  If not, I may just post his stats in the fanshot section after each game. 

I was just checking the box score for Vero Beach and noticed that Baldelli hit a HR in his first ab today.  I know we've all been burned before with Rocco but it's hard not to get a bit encouraged by any positive news concerning him.  If he's nothing more than a right handed DH who occasionally plays the field he is still an upgrade from Gomes, right? 

Keep it up Rocco!  We'd love to see you at the Trop again!

but I am pretty happy with our team for 2008.  We have three fine young arms to handle the front end of the rotation.  We have plenty of capable pitchers to fight it out for the last two spots.  Our relief corps is completely revamped from the beginning of '07.  This team actually landed a good free agent closer?!  We have some good placeholders until the guys down on the farm are ready.  Players such as Brignac don't need to be rushed.  I think we can all agree that this is a "make it break it" year for Navi but as long as he is just average, our lineup is fine.  Also, maybe Dukes could surprise everyone and take over the rightfield job without any off the field "incidents."  I really do not see any glaring holes in the lineup or pitching staff.  I was curious to see if I was alone in my optimism.  Is this a .500 team even in the AL East?  

Apparently, Joe turned down a one-year deal to return as manager of the Yankees.  Hopefully, this will upset Jorge Posada soooooo much that he wants to re-sign with a team within the division to "get back" at the Yanks.  This notion of bringing in Posada has been discussed in other diary posts but I thought the Torre news might make it just a bit more possible.  

Um, why haven't we signed this guy yet?  He's the college player of the year and, you may have noticed, we kinda need pitching.  I'm hoping now that the trade deadline has passed the DRO does NOTHING but work on getting this deal done.  Pay the man his money!  This guy could easily be on the opening day roster, 2009.  Anyone got the inside scoop on these negotiations?  

On an equally important note, doesn't the devil ray logo in the upper left corner of this site kinda look like the Burger King guy?  

I'm curious how many fans out there are going to spend their dollars to see another last place team.  Personally, I love baseball and will always go to the Trop.  You have to wonder what the interest level will be though.  Will you still watch every single game?  Do the standings affect your interest in the team?  True "fans" will stay interested I'm guessing, but I can't fault anyone for dropping off.  Baseball, after all, is a competition.  If you can't compete, you have to question the purpose.  

It's sad, because I know so many people that would give a crap and show up to games if they were in the division race.  I've heard, "Oh, I'll show up when they give me a reason to."  I realize that these are "fair weather" fans, but teams need those fans too.  Those fans are actually earned, not just assumed like yours truly.  Anywho, as an escape from the Hellish day at work that awaits me, I figured I get everyone's opinion.

From what I've seen, there is a decent free agent crop of catchers available for '08.  I can't remember all of them, but Pudge and Lo Duca come to mind.  How much would it help this young pitching staff to have an established, veteran catcher behind the dish?  

Seeing as how we should have some cash available for free agents, I see catcher as the only non-pitcher position that needs a major upgrade.  That is, assuming Pena is for real.  Hell, let's even "overpay" for a catcher if we have to.  This is a glaring need.  The benefit we get will not only be seen in terms of batting average and RBI's.  No, having our young staff throwing to a catcher who knows the game and knows how to win will be invaluable to their growth.  

Any thoughts?

Now I am a loyal listener of 620, but am I the only one that finds it odd that none of their "talent" knows anything about baseball, with the exception of The Big Dog?  

Why they let Ian Beckles discuss the game at all is puzzling to me.  Today he was discussing the Cantu move and how it will hurt the team.  It was obvious that he knew very little about Cantu other than remembering a good offensive year awhile back.  That's not to say that if you think Cantu should have stayed with the team you don't know anything about baseball.  There was just no analysis there.  He can't name any of our young talent.  He wouldn't know Mitch Talbot or Reid Brignac if they fell out of a tree and landed on him.  Ron Diaz is a music DJ so I don't expect much out of him.  Actually, he seems more knowlegeable.

We are trying to build a fanbase here and these jokers are not helping.  I am not a Big Dog fan by any means, but I have to admit that I have learned quite a bit about hockey by listening to him.  He knows the game, it's history and traditions, and he educates the listeners.  How can the average fan get excited about a ball team with Ian ranting on and on about how he is sick of losing all the time and that the ownership is not to be trusted.  Back it up with some facts, man!  Tell us about how last year's trades will impact our future.  Tell us about the starting pitching we have lined up in AAA.  Tell us about how Cantu is such a liability in the field due to his VERY limited range.  Tell us about how our young pitching suffered so much last year due to crappy defense.  

Oh wait, YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ANY OF THAT!  

Not to go on and on, but I feel that local sports radio greatly impacts the fanbase.  Ian knows football and I enjoy him in the Fall.  He is completely useless over the Summer though...

So tell me what you all think of this idea.  I don't see him as a 1B (too good of an outfielder from what I hear).  Could we do a rotation in the DH position whereby all 4 outfielders could remain in the lineup everyday?  One day Crawford DH's and Dukes plays Left.  One day Baldelli DH's and Crawford plays Center, ect...

We wouldn't really lose anything defensively as all four are excellent OF'ers.  It might keep everyone a bit fresher (very important for Baldelli).  Also, I realize that Delmon and Dukes need playing time in the OF, but getting major league AB's seem more important.  Also, they would be out in the field 3 out of every 4 games.  

Potential problems - lack of consistency.  Players like to know where they will be day in and day out.  Also, Crawford doesn't like playing CF from what I hear.  But Dukes has played CF before so that may be a moot point.  

What to do with Gomes?  1B or nothing.  I love Johnny's spirit and hustle but we have 4 outfielders that can hit for power and average.  They all should be allowed to produce.  Trade Gomes for a reliever if possible.  His lack of defense makes him the odd man out (again, if 1B doesn't work).    

So, am I crazy or does this make sense?