Saturday, January 17, 2009

The Rays Party has moved!

We have moved The Rays Party over to MVN. Keep reading at our new location.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Someone was noticing

The Rays signed two more players to minor league contracts including one I wrote about in my "Get These Guys" Series. Jason Bowers signed and is going to compete for utility infielder in the minor leagues. This the first post I can gloat about because someone used my idea, or copied, and put it into good use. 

First Post Back

This is what a post will look like for a little while, very casual.

Watching a replay of the August eighth game this year which was very enjoyable watching it live on TV. The Rays also had their weirdest lineup with Jason Bartlett Dhing and without either Crawford or Upton playing.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

This might not be the end

The last post was kind of an overstatement, I do like to write about, but not in it's current format. The new format might come around the start of spring training. If anybody wants to write anything here or have ideas for a new format, feel free to email me at the theraysparty@gmail.com or comment in this post.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

The Rays front office creates a stockpile in the bullpen

Just when you think they had enough pitchers, the Rays claim RHP Dewon Day off waivers from Boston. Day has been pitching for the Blue Jays and White Sox organizations for six years after being drafted by the Jays in 2002. He got his ''cup of coffee'' with the White Sox pitching 13 games in 2007, but was lit up with a 11.23 ERA. Draysbay does mention his great strikeout and groundball rate making him an pitcher with potential.

The Rays front office are trying to acquire as many arms as possible, maybe in preparation of Troy Percival missing some time, a pitcher being moved for salary reasons(Chad Bradford), a poor performance, or a simple injury would cause the Rays to use this stockpile of pitchers. Here is a list of the stockpiled pitchers.

Dewon Day Needs more time in Triple-A until he gets a look.
Dale Thayer Also needs a little more time, but is very close to being ready
Juan Salas May not be with the Rays long staying in Durham
Jae Kuk Ryu Has no options left
Derek Rodriguez A rule 5 pick, has the best chance to make the club because of his ability and is options
Julio DePaula A better Dewon Day acquisition, minor league FA
Randy Choate The lone lefty in the bunch, is competing to be the second lefty in the pen. minor league FA
Jason Childers Career minor leaguer, lowest chance to make it, minor league FA
Mitch Talbot A long reliever, will be used as a starter in Durham

That's all till Monday, Happy Football watching!

Friday, January 9, 2009

Rays 25-man Roster Projection

This one I added Pat Burrell and changed the reserves to what I see might be best on Opening Day.


Red Sox try to match Rays, Get a bat and improve rotation

The Red Sox made two free agent signings to add depth to their outfield and starting rotation. The Red Sox added Rocco Baldelli really cheap for an reemerging bat and a decent fielder when able to play. The other move is more of package with newly signed John Smoltz and Brad Penny to have at least one of these guys healthy one point in the year. The problem is that both are coming of injuries and have never played on an A.L. team which is harder for pitchers to adjust when moving from the N.L. Otherwise, the Red Sox have a dominant rotation headlined by Josh Beckett. The Baldelli signing is an attempt to match the Pat Burrell signing, though not on the same level, and the Rays young rotation which has great depth.

Photo-MLB.com