Where will the Rays finish in 2011?

[Kingdom]

The inevitable for a very small market and tightly budgeted team came again in the offseason. The Rays saw perhaps their greatest player in their short franchise history sign with the Evil Nation in Carl Crawford. In addition, they saw free agents Carlos Pena, Joaquin Benoit, Rafael Soriano, that Australian dude who throws a fast ball, faster ball, and fastest ball but I can't remember his name at the moment sign with other teams and they traded the enigma Matt Garza. What it means is versatile guys like Reid Brignac and Ben Zobrist have to step up big, they will have a completely new 7-8-9 inning relief corp and Hellboy will take center stage.

Notable additions came in the form of cheap guys looking to make one last splash in Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon, and Kyle Farnsworth. The closer, well, who knows. Joel Peralta? Jake McGee? Kyle Farnswrth? Love That Reefer? Who knows at this point.

[Kingdom]

I would love for them to finish higher than 3rd, if only cause the Empire or Nation would finish 3rd, but it just doesn't seem like it'll happen unless either of the big spenders suffer devastating injuries over the season. That's always in play.

[love_that_reefer]

I do know I will not be closing but I do see the Rays finishing third and right up on the Yankees heels for second place. The Rays still have very good starting pitching and a pretty good offense. Yes they lost a lot but they are not lost without them. I think people (especially Sportscenter commentators) are under estimating Manny at DH. I think he will thrive in the DH spot. He has slimmed down and seems like he wants to play there. Longoria is still the main force in this lineup and Breignac can replace Bartlett. Upton will be the stolen base threat and Jaso is a pretty good catcher. If Desmond Jennings comes around, this team just got more athletic. The bullpen will be the only question mark but I don't see it being all that terrible IF they find a closer before Opening Day. Closer by committee will not work. 3rd place finish because those starters are just that good.

[Kingdom]

Scouts are raving about your breaker though. You have a shot. We've had players admit they played or pitched drunk, we might as well have one that pitched while stoned.

[Tobywan]

Ok, I will be the lone nut, I was wrong in 2008, I can be wrong this season.Someone has to pick them, they are my boys, so might as well be me.

I think/hope Reid will do well, but I have a special spot in my heart for him anyway, he saved me from being crushed in a stampede at spring training a couple seasons ago.

Everyone seems very welcoming to Manny. I think if we can get any production and I mean ANYTHING from him and/or Johnny that will be the deciding factor. The rotation is only one different so as long as the BP doesn't completely suck there may be a small chance.

Ah well, Go Rays!

[love_that_reefer]

Scouts are raving about your breaker though. You have a shot. We've had players admit they played or pitched drunk, we might as well have one that pitched while stoned.

I will admit, I have a nasty knuckler and we all know the Yankees fear the knuckler.

[Kingdom]

Well shit Toby, I really nailed the title of the poll then.

[Kingdom]

And you can't automatically rule them out. They've made the playoffs when we didn't think it would happen. And I'm all for it, but that offense has to do something because the pen is in limbo. Who knows

[love_that_reefer]

If Manny can stay healthy and being a DH he should, I can see him reaching 90 RBI with a great OBP. Damon in a part-time role will be good for the Rays too. Even Dan Johnson can have a power burst but I think the wild card to this offense is Zobrist.

[Tobywan]

Well shit Toby, I really nailed the title of the poll then.

Yes, you did! He was certainly my Ray of light that day.

If Manny can stay healthy and being a DH he should, I can see him reaching 90 RBI with a great OBP. Damon in a part-time role will be good for the Rays too. Even Dan Johnson can have a power burst but I think the wild card to this offense is Zobrist.

It is just truly hard for me to believe that either Manny or Johnny could do worse than Rat Pat unless they never even make it onto the field for us. We made it without that power we were searching for last season so hard for me to imagine that part of our game will be worse barring of course major injuries which is unforeseeable. I definitely have more hope of them being in the hunt than I did in December.

[Tobywan]

Next Friday night, I will be in the outfield hopefully with a good view of the banner hoisting. Let the games begin!

[Tobywan]

Gawd, we sucked!

[realmofotalk]

Damon in a part-time role will be good for the Rays too.

It is just truly hard for me to believe that either Manny or Johnny could do worse than Rat Pat unless they never even make it onto the field for us.

You guys sure about that?



(GIF image via Foster's blog)

[love_that_reefer]

I'm sure, not going to speak for Toby though

[Tobywan]

Well, I meant "OFFensively, since Rat ...er Pat was rarely on the field. Guess I can't really be upset with this play since no one else seemed tweaked. After the game BJ said he wanted Damon to throw it to him, but he was too close. Now O-4...Jimminey Crickets!!!!