This is a discussion on Break up the Devil Rays! within the Tampa Bay Rays forum at Strike 3 Forums; OK, what's this stuff about having the second best record since the All-Star ...

Fishercat · **Break up the Devil Rays! -** 08-23-2005, 02:04 AM

OK, what's this stuff about having the second best record since the All-Star break and, you know, being good. I know they'll be extremely scary when they get all their great young players healthy at the same time and trade some "older" (say, Aubrey Huff) talent for some pitching prospects (someone like McCarthy, or sadly, Anibal Sanchez), but now? Impressive, I hope they learn to blow again when they meet the Sox. They are not an offensive juggarnaut, but something like a Crawford, Young, Gomes, Gathright, and Baldelli 5 man OF, day-amn. Is it 25-12?

I'm just as surprised as anyone that they could be a real spoiler and disappointed. The 18-1 seasons against TB are gone...

realmofotalk · 08-23-2005, 02:37 AM

A Crawford-Gathright (if his plate discipline is better) combo atop the batting order is downright scary for opposing catchers. Gathright may be faster than Crawford.

Fishercat · 08-23-2005, 02:40 AM

Heh, put Baldelli in the 9 slot and watch the runners fly.

browntown653 · 08-23-2005, 11:52 PM

I have always thought the D-Rays had potential to one day be a contending team, and I honestly think that day is going to come very soon. If they can trade an outfielder or two for some more young pitching to complement Scott Kazmir (4th in the AL in Ks) the Rays could soon make some noise...look at some of the players here. Cantu has 20 HRs, Baez has 28 saves, Crawford is one of the most exciting players in baseball...the days of walking over Tampa Bay are soon over. It's a shame Lou won't be around to see them though.

General · 08-24-2005, 12:00 AM

Cantu is top 10 in AL RBI already...

Hammer · 08-25-2005, 11:33 PM

Wow, talk about a stat that went right over my head. Really, top 10 already?

Gathright, Baldelli, Crawford, Young, Cantu, Gomes, Upton from 1-7... thats animal. No idea who'd play 2nd or Catcher for them in the future though... Cash/LaForest at Catcher, Green at 2nd? Either way, they could put Tony Womack and Jorge Posada in those spots, and it would still be a beast ass lineup.

General · 08-25-2005, 11:34 PM

Cantu is a natural 2B.

Hammer · 08-25-2005, 11:38 PM

Hey thanks, didn't know that, been living in a bubble the past 5 years. Why would they move him from 3rd right now however.

And fact remains, if they move him to 2nd, who then plays 3rd.

browntown653 · 08-25-2005, 11:39 PM

Whatever happened to Jared Sandberg, now that you mention D-Rays third basemen...

General · 08-26-2005, 12:00 AM

I thought they had another spec at 3B..in AA? I guess I was wrong.

realmofotalk · 08-26-2005, 02:57 AM

Jared Sandberg was a stopgap scrub 3b. Kind of like Randy Choate was the Yankees' lefty reliever.

Providence A's · 08-28-2005, 05:58 PM

Thanks for sweeping the hated Angels!

Fishercat · 08-28-2005, 06:02 PM

Jared Sandberg is now a AA All-Star for Portland (Boston's AA affiliate). He's doing really well down there too for the first place team in the Eastern Division. Heh.