I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't disappointed. While something could still come through, for all intents and purposes it seems as though the Rays didn't make another trade. The rumors were flying hard and fast and it looked as thought the Rays were in the thick of things, inches away from a trade. Just like the last few years, though, the Rays talked to everyone, but didn't pull the trigger on a big trade. They acquired Chad Qualls (for more on him, check out here, here, and here), but they didn't get the big bat that we wanted for the middle of the line-up. Disappointed? Yeah, that's me.
At the same time, I'm trying to look on the bright side of things. And so, to try and keep myself thinking positive, here are some reasons I've brainstormed of why Rays' fans shouldn't be sad:
- As Matty Slow pointed out yesterday, the Rays don't need another bat to make the playoffs. We've got a significant lead on Boston as it is and our team is one of the best in the league; an extra bat would be insurance and would help in the playoffs, but we weren't in a "do or die" situation.
- Reid Brignac. Sean Rodriguez. John Jaso. Wade Davis. Matt Joyce. Desmond Jennings. Jeremy Hellickson. Nick Barnese. Alex Cobb. Jake McGee. Tim Beckham. Matt Moore. Alex Colome. Kyle Lobstein. Wilking Rodriguez. Aneury Rodriguez. We still have them. ALL of them!
- He's no Adam Dunn, but Dan Johnson and his 1.015 OPS is sitting and waiting in Durham. Just waiting. And at this point, there's no reason why he shouldn't be called up soon.
- If we still want another bullpen arm to supplant Cormier/Sonnanstine, we have Winston Abreu and his 1.80 FIP chillin' out in Durham. Oh, and that Jeremy Hellickson guy will probably come up at some point and bolster the bullpen a la David Price in 2008.
- The Yankees and Red Sox didn't add anyone big. Sure, the Yankees added some players to help their bench and bullpen, but Lance Berkman and Kerry Wood aren't the same players they were five years ago. We can still run with the Yanks in a short series. Oh, and Boston acquired a catcher (Jared Saltalamacchia), but it's not like they acquired Prince Fielder. They're no more of a threat than they were yesterday.
- The Rays possibly aren't done yet. Each of the last two years, the Rays have pulled off important deals after the July 31st trade deadline. They're masters of the waiver line, so I wouldn't be surprised if they're not done yet.
- We just beat the Yankees last night and it was friggin' awesome!