Think about it...
In the first 10 seasons of this franchise's existence, the trade deadline meant
the Rays phone was ringing off the hook. EVERYBODY wanted the Rays'
players...and, well, the Rays were a pretty bad team so teams felt like they
were entitled to the Rays upper-tier talent. Think Wigginton, Huff, Lugo.
But not anymore.
Now the Rays phones are ringing for a different reason. The Rays are players in
the trade deadline game.
The Rays have options this season. Will it be Jason
Bay from the Pirates? Will it be
Adam Dunn from the Reds? Will it be a left-handed bullpen arm? Will it be
nobody at all?
As odd as it sounds, the Rays' best bet may be to just stick with who they
have. I know, the overall idea is to improve your team...but let's look at the
teams the Rays need to worry about:
NEW YORK
YANKEES
Additions:
They added Xavier Nady and Demaso Marte from Pittsburgh.
They added Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez from Detroit.
Subtractions:
They also lost Kyle Farnsworth, the reliever that used to give the Rays fits
with his high-90s fastball. They lost Jorge Posada for the season due to
shoulder surgery...not including his veteran presence on the field.
Overall:
The Yankees don't bother me after all their deals. Yes, they essentially
stole Nady and Marte but Pudge doesn't scare me at all. This isn't 1999
anymore. The Yankees are 4 back of the Rays as of today and still play each
other 6 times this year. The Rays are 5-7 vs NY this year.
BOSTON RED SOX
Additions:
None as of yet. The Red Sox have been after some big names but are yet to
get a deal done. They are reportedly interested in Jason
Bay and Brian Fuentes.
Subtractions:
None as of this moment, but the BIGGEST name leaving could be Manny
Ramirez. He wants out. Boston
wants
him gone. There are rumors that Manny may even land with the White Sox
alongside Ken Griffey Jr...who JUST agreed to a deal with Chicago. A three-team deal is in the works with the
Marlins and Pirates to
dump Manny and bring Bay to Bean-Town. That could hurt the Rays, but
three-way
deals are tough to pull off.
Overall:
The Red Sox and Rays are played 12 times this season, each team winning all
6 of its home games. The Red Sox and Rays have had some pretty good drama going
this season, and the trade deadline will be no different. Both want Jason
Bay...who will get him?
The Rays didn't pull the trigger on Casey Blake. They didn't pull the trigger
on Mark Teixeira either. They may not pull the trigger on Jason
Bay. If they don't, it's not that
big of a deal.
They have a few aces up their sleeve for the last two months of the season.
Obviously it isn't the ideal fit, but Rocco Baldelli has been progressing well
for the Rays in the minor leagues. He can't be relied upon to play everyday in
the outfield, but you can't deny the fact the Rocco's presence on the field as
a DH could help give this team a quick jolt that could energize them for a
stretch run. The same thing could be said about prized starter David Price.
Price may find himself in the big leagues come the end of September and could
help the Rays make a push towards the division title.
So all in all, the Rays may not HAVE to make a move at the deadline. If they
do, I'm sure that Andrew Friedman will pull off a deal that was just as
successful as the one he ran down last year...
...and how has that Wigginton for Wheeler deal worked out? Enough said.
Just over 3 ½ hours to go….it outta be interesting.
>Bobby Lewis