Chemistry, morale and momentum (Tampa Bay Rays)

[koolzach1]

Well, the only problem is that the Rays (even while winning) have gotten ZERO attendance basically. Plus, players are all about the money. I doubt any of them take a big hometown discount. I don't see them having a big run similar to the Yankees or Braves, or a small run similar to the Red Sox. They will compete for a few years, but I cannot guarantee that, and no one can; they don't quite have the monetary resources to compete year in and year out, and there is no guarantee that their prospects will work out.

[koolzach1]

LOL, I'm pretty confident on that one. A's have no shot. I feel so sure about it, I'd be willing to print out this post and eat it if the A's beat the Angels. And if I knew how to use this goshdarn built in WebCam on my new laptop I'd be happy to post it here. Unfortunately, I don't know how, and fortunately, I don't think it will even be close to being an issue. Angels have a much better team than the A's. Over 162 games, it will show.

I concur 100%.

[OldFatGuy]

Well, the only problem is that the Rays (even while winning) have gotten ZERO attendance basically. Plus, players are all about the money. I doubt any of them take a big hometown discount. I don't see them having a big run similar to the Yankees or Braves, or a small run similar to the Red Sox. They will compete for a few years, but I cannot guarantee that, and no one can; they don't quite have the monetary resources to compete year in and year out, and there is no guarantee that their prospects will work out.

Not only do they not take large hometown discounts (though I do believe Cal Ripken gave the Orioles some significant discounts) most agents would probably refuse to represent them in this day and age if they demand anything larger than a token hometown discount. This is how the agents make their living after all.

But the Rays do have a very impressive base, and because that base is young, I think the immediate future (next 3 years lets say) looks good, at least they should remain competitive. Beyond that, without the major resources, they could easily once again fall back to the old Rays. This is one of those times where your draft picks all fall in line all at the same time, and it works great for awhile. Unfortunately, this doesn't happen very often.

I was personally very impressed with them in the three games against the Sox. Obviously its easy to be impressed with a team when they're winning, but they showed good poise for a young team as in all three games there were stressful situations. And their starting pitching really does look much better than I gave them credit for at the beginning of the season. I'm not as sold on the bullpen holding up and I'm not sold on their defense. And if those pieces slip just a little, and just one or two guys slips a little offensively, they could quickly find themselves with nothing but a .500 second half.

EDIT: Plus, at least as far as this season is concerned, it should be pointed out the Rays do have one thing that works very much in their favor, and that is a farm system full of talent. If they feel they need another bat or arm for the bullpen, they may actually be in a BETTER position to get the help than other teams they're competing with. However, with the advent of the wild card , it seems fewer teams are in the "sell" mode in July than they used to be. It seems the big July deals you used to see in baseball frequently in the 70's and 80's aren't done nearly as much anymore.

[HoustonGM]

LOL, I'm pretty confident on that one. A's have no shot. I feel so sure about it, I'd be willing to print out this post and eat it if the A's beat the Angels. And if I knew how to use this goshdarn built in WebCam on my new laptop I'd be happy to post it here. Unfortunately, I don't know how, and fortunately, I don't think it will even be close to being an issue. Angels have a much better team than the A's. Over 162 games, it will show.

What evidence is there that the Angels have a much better team? The Athletics have been better at scoring runs and better at preventing runs.

[Arctic Blast]

What evidence is there that the Angels have a much better team? The Athletics have been better at scoring runs and better at preventing runs.

Where the A's will go from this point depends on whether or not they're still rebuilding or not. If Beane is still planning on moving out guys like Blanton and Crosby, I'd be surprised if they don't take at least a bit of a downturn.

[HoustonGM]

Where the A's will go from this point depends on whether or not they're still rebuilding or not. If Beane is still planning on moving out guys like Blanton and Crosby, I'd be surprised if they don't take at least a bit of a downturn.

Neither Crosby or Blanton have been particularly helpful this year.

Beane's a smart guy. He's not going to attempt to rebuild in the middle of a season where his team is contending. It'd also greatly surprise me if he dealt Blanton, considering Blanton's value is at an all-time low right now and Beane isn't one to sell low.

[OldFatGuy]

The Athletics have been better at scoring runs and better at preventing runs.

HGM going Joe Morgan on me???? Say it ain't so Joe !

[HoustonGM]

HGM going Joe Morgan on me???? Say it ain't so Joe !

It ain't so.

[Arctic Blast]

Neither Crosby or Blanton have been particularly helpful this year.

Beane's a smart guy. He's not going to attempt to rebuild in the middle of a season where his team is contending. It'd also greatly surprise me if he dealt Blanton, considering Blanton's value is at an all-time low right now and Beane isn't one to sell low.

You ain't kidding...I hadn't been following the A's, really, so looking up Joe Blanton's stats for the first time...uhhh...WOW. Yeah, 'struggling' doesn't quite seem to cut it.

[belial]

One word for the Rays: Defense.

So the next time you state so and so is an excellent defender, but that can't translate to wins, I'll refer you to this thread.

[HoustonGM]

So the next time you state so and so is an excellent defender, but that can't translate to wins, I'll refer you to this thread.

When the **** did I ever say that defense can't translate into wins?

WHAT?

[belial]

When the **** did I ever say that defense can't translate into wins?

WHAT?

You often say player a has much better defense but it cant make up for his offense compared to player b no matter the defense abilities.

[HoustonGM]

You often say player a has much better defense but it cant make up for his offense compared to player b no matter the defense abilities.

Um, it depends entirely on the two players, and their respective offensive and defensive skills?

Tell me again what in the world this has to do with a team improving their defense TEAMWIDE, and going from the worst defensive team in the last 50 years to one of the top in league?

[belial]

I'm just going off of what you have said in the past.

[HoustonGM]

No, you're not. You're twisting things and applying them to situations that are completely different.