the RAYS wont win more than 85 games in 2009

[Joewoowoo]

Thats right I said it ! The Tampa Bay Rays won a american league east best 97 games . what a fantastic year for the Rays . well this wont be the case in 2009. this team is good , no question, but not 97 wins good. They came from behind at least 15-20 times that I can remember, everything went there way last year. they didnt have any major injuries . these two major factors will prevent them from doing anything nearly as good in 2009 as they did last year.

 

[klute14]

Let me guess, the Yankees are going to win 162.

Thats right I said it ! The Tampa Bay Rays won a american league east best 97 games . what a fantastic year for the Rays . well this wont be the case in 2009. this team is good , no question, but not 97 wins good. They came from behind at least 15-20 times that I can remember, everything went there way last year. they didnt have any major injuries . these two major factors will prevent them from doing anything nearly as good in 2009 as they did last year.

 

[ThoseBackPages]

Let me guess, the Yankees are going to win 162.

Thats right I said it ! The Tampa Bay Rays won a american league east best 97 games . what a fantastic year for the Rays . well this wont be the case in 2009. this team is good , no question, but not 97 wins good. They came from behind at least 15-20 times that I can remember, everything went there way last year. they didnt have any major injuries . these two major factors will prevent them from doing anything nearly as good in 2009 as they did last year.

Nope, 173!

 

[Huffamaniac]

no major injuries. Are you kidding me

Crawford, Kazmir, Upton, Pena, Navarro, Longoria, and Percival all missed time being on the DL

No problem you saying they will not win 85 games, but don't say they did not have their share of injuries last year

 

[pujolsjunkie]

I do happen to agree with the assessment that they did have a pretty charmed season, but to say they had no major injuries is flat out wrong. BJ Upton played all season with a bum shoulder, and should more than double his HR output next year. Evan Longoria missed a month late in the year. Their young pitching is another year more experienced, and is replacing Edwin Jackson (who was pretty good for them) with David Price most likely in the rotation. Don't sleep on the addition of Matt Joyce either. With the trash the Rays were trotting out in RF last season (I still believe it cost them at least one WS game), he is an immediate upgrade. I wish they'd sign a good closer. That's pretty much all the team needs in my opinion to remain as good as last year. That said, the Yankees and probably the Red Sox will be better as well, so the win total may drop even if they play as well generally. Should be fun to watch regardless.

 

[braden]

Historically, young teams that make The Leap suffer a hangover the following year. I too would be surprised to see them come close to 97 wins again.

The Rays had some outstanding luck last year in close games. Combine that with the health of their starting pitching (their top 5 starter 154 games; that's almost unheard of) and yes, you could say that they were on the lucky side in 2008.

The Rays have an outstanding collection of young talent but history shows they'll struggle next year.

 

[Russ S.]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

ANd Arod won't choke right... :lol:

 

[Guest]

Historically, young teams that make The Leap suffer a hangover the following year. I too would be surprised to see them come close to 97 wins again.

The Rays had some outstanding luck last year in close games. Combine that with the health of their starting pitching (their top 5 starter 154 games; that's almost unheard of) and yes, you could say that they were on the lucky side in 2008.

The Rays have an outstanding collection of young talent but history shows they'll struggle next year.

So history can't be changed in 2009?

 

[lordsepic]

Thats right I said it ! The Tampa Bay Rays won a american league east best 97 games . what a fantastic year for the Rays . well this wont be the case in 2009. this team is good , no question, but not 97 wins good. They came from behind at least 15-20 times that I can remember, everything went there way last year. they didnt have any major injuries . these two major factors will prevent them from doing anything nearly as good in 2009 as they did last year.

since you remember them.. can you please list the 15-20? I appreciate it

and add Longoria to the injured list last year... All their major players were hurt last year besides shields...

I do agree the Yanks are much improved... Boston isn't... but 90 wins is not out of the question... Remember this... Shields and Garza only get better... and they add Phenom price to their rotation....

Longoria and Upton only get better... Pena who was injured a lot is back and healthy... Crawford is back and healthy... Good Luck

 

[braden]

Historically, young teams that make The Leap suffer a hangover the following year. I too would be surprised to see them come close to 97 wins again.

The Rays had some outstanding luck last year in close games. Combine that with the health of their starting pitching (their top 5 starter 154 games; that's almost unheard of) and yes, you could say that they were on the lucky side in 2008.

The Rays have an outstanding collection of young talent but history shows they'll struggle next year.

So history can't be changed in 2009?

Of course it can. But the smart money would be on them regressing.

 

[Fernando Martinez]

I disagree.

I know history has shown that teams like this generally have a rough/average 2nd year, but the Rays are different. It's not like all their players came from nowhere. They have a bunch of young players who have been regarded highly since they entered pro-baseball. Also, they still have Price, Davis, Brignac, and a bunch of other young players who are yet to make an impact in the majors.

Price
Kazmir
Shields
Garza
Sonnanstine

Is there a better rotation in baseball?

 

[pujolsjunkie]

I disagree.

I know history has shown that teams like this generally have a rough/average 2nd year, but the Rays are different. It's not like all their players came from nowhere. They have a bunch of young players who have been regarded highly since they entered pro-baseball. Also, they still have Price, Davis, Brignac, and a bunch of other young players who are yet to make an impact in the majors.

Price
Kazmir
Shields
Garza
Sonnanstine

Is there a better rotation in baseball?

Yes there is.

Kazmir
Shields
Garza
Sonnanstine
Price

 

[braden]

I disagree.

I know history has shown that teams like this generally have a rough/average 2nd year, but the Rays are different. It's not like all their players came from nowhere. They have a bunch of young players who have been regarded highly since they entered pro-baseball. Also, they still have Price, Davis, Brignac, and a bunch of other young players who are yet to make an impact in the majors.

Price
Kazmir
Shields
Garza
Sonnanstine

Is there a better rotation in baseball?

Young pitchers will break your heart. How many people thought Kennedy and Hughes would combine for 0 wins. Or that Buchholz would be a disaster.

Hey, I'm not saying the Rays can't avoid a year long hangover. Or that they don't have a ridiculous stable of young arms. But to expect that none of those guys will struggle mightily would be insane. It might not happen; but it likely will. It's just the way it goes with young arms. And when you've got five of them, it would be nearly impossible to avoid a rough year or a major injury. I fully expect one of those guys to get knocked around and one to miss 15+ starts in 2009.

 

[thefasterblade]

The Rays are out of the mold of the 1991 Braves. Where they went from last to first with young pitching and a limited offense. Being that the Braves went on to win like 12 straight division titles after 1991, I will say that the Rays will be fine and will win 1 WS, lose 3-4 WS and be in the playoffs every year for a decade.

 

[Fernando Martinez]

I disagree.

I know history has shown that teams like this generally have a rough/average 2nd year, but the Rays are different. It's not like all their players came from nowhere. They have a bunch of young players who have been regarded highly since they entered pro-baseball. Also, they still have Price, Davis, Brignac, and a bunch of other young players who are yet to make an impact in the majors.

Price
Kazmir
Shields
Garza
Sonnanstine

Is there a better rotation in baseball?

Young pitchers will break your heart. How many people thought Kennedy and Hughes would combine for 0 wins. Or that Buchholz would be a disaster.

Hey, I'm not saying the Rays can't avoid a year long hangover. Or that they don't have a ridiculous stable of young arms. But to expect that none of those guys will struggle mightily would be insane. It might not happen; but it likely will. It's just the way it goes with young arms. And when you've got five of them, it would be nearly impossible to avoid a rough year or a major injury. I fully expect one of those guys to get knocked around and one to miss 15+ starts in 2009.

Not the same at all. None of the three you mentioned have had any real ML success. Kazmir, Shields, Garza, and Sonnanstine all have. Nobody knows yet on Price, hopefully he continues what he did in the playoffs.

 

[Jaypers]

If the Rays make some good moves, I see no reason why they couldn't get back to the postseason. Some of those moves might include:

1) Put Price in the rotation. No brainer there.
2) Call up Wade Davis sooner than later.
3) Put Sonnanstine in middle relief if he struggles; give Davis his spot as a tryout.
4) Trade Niemann to a team that will properly utilize his arsenal.
5) Call up Reid at some point, in a bullpen capacity. Many don't realize what good stuff he has, as evidenced by this year. I'm still waiting for a card of him.
6) Give Joyce the reins in RF and let him run with it. Have him play the majority of their games. I think he was a good acquisition. Certainly better than Gross and Zobrist.
7) Need a pinch hitter/runner? That role should belong to Fernando Perez first and foremost. He can fly, and plays a good OF as well.
8) Assuming he returns to form next year in AA and hopefully AAA, give Hellickson a September callup in a limited capacity. Friedman can take the kid gloves off him, as far as I'm concerned. Same goes for McGee, assuming he's up to the task and has recovered.

 

[pujolsjunkie]

I disagree.

I know history has shown that teams like this generally have a rough/average 2nd year, but the Rays are different. It's not like all their players came from nowhere. They have a bunch of young players who have been regarded highly since they entered pro-baseball. Also, they still have Price, Davis, Brignac, and a bunch of other young players who are yet to make an impact in the majors.

Price
Kazmir
Shields
Garza
Sonnanstine

Is there a better rotation in baseball?

Young pitchers will break your heart. How many people thought Kennedy and Hughes would combine for 0 wins. Or that Buchholz would be a disaster.

Hey, I'm not saying the Rays can't avoid a year long hangover. Or that they don't have a ridiculous stable of young arms. But to expect that none of those guys will struggle mightily would be insane. It might not happen; but it likely will. It's just the way it goes with young arms. And when you've got five of them, it would be nearly impossible to avoid a rough year or a major injury. I fully expect one of those guys to get knocked around and one to miss 15+ starts in 2009.

I get your point, but Price is the only one that can be categorized in the same class as the guys you mentioned. The other four have had a full season or more of major league success. Odds are pretty good that they do well as a whole.

 

[sportscardtheory]

I don't see them being any worse... they have not lost anybody of relevance and have a few veterans for clubhouse leadership. Their pitching will be better with Price in the rotation, in my opinion... there is no reason for them to not win over 90 games. This thread should have been "Boy I hope the Rays were a fluke, being that I'm a Yankee fan."

 

[braden]

[quote="Fernando Martinez":1vmnzouc]I disagree.

I know history has shown that teams like this generally have a rough/average 2nd year, but the Rays are different. It's not like all their players came from nowhere. They have a bunch of young players who have been regarded highly since they entered pro-baseball. Also, they still have Price, Davis, Brignac, and a bunch of other young players who are yet to make an impact in the majors.

Price
Kazmir
Shields
Garza
Sonnanstine

Is there a better rotation in baseball?

Young pitchers will break your heart. How many people thought Kennedy and Hughes would combine for 0 wins. Or that Buchholz would be a disaster.

Hey, I'm not saying the Rays can't avoid a year long hangover. Or that they don't have a ridiculous stable of young arms. But to expect that none of those guys will struggle mightily would be insane. It might not happen; but it likely will. It's just the way it goes with young arms. And when you've got five of them, it would be nearly impossible to avoid a rough year or a major injury. I fully expect one of those guys to get knocked around and one to miss 15+ starts in 2009.

Not the same at all. None of the three you mentioned have had any real ML success. Kazmir, Shields, Garza, and Sonnanstine all have. Nobody knows yet on Price, hopefully he continues what he did in the playoffs.[/quote:1vmnzouc]

I didn't use those three as mirrors for the Rays but simply to show that you never know what to expect from young pitchers. Of the Rays staff, I expect Sonnanstine will have a tough year. He's got the most average stuff of them all and needs to be perfect to succeed. Kazmir is always going to be an injury risk. Garza looks good, but still, even young pitchers with experience and success often struggle. Shields looks safe. And who knows with Price. Obviously he's a great talent but as everyone knows, a few relief appearances mean squat. Again, not knocking the Rays at all. Just being realistic.

 

[darocker80]

Longoria full year + david price in rotation =

Esp if BJ can have his post season carry over (but isn't he having surgery?)