Comments on: The natives are getting restless

By: Jon Wolfson

Jon Wolfson — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 06:17:08 +0000

Odds Longoria will start season in Majors: 0%

This regime has never listened to intangibles from the clubhouse or anywhere else, and it’s paid off. Longoria spending part of April in Durham goes a long way in retaining his services at a bargain.

By: bobr

bobr — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:42:04 +0000

I am watching it too, and this is why I hate, HATE, hate ESPN. I would not mind it if they expressed the opinion that he should be promoted if they explained the reasoning, especially if they had some informed perspective or some new insight into the issue. But all they can do is recycle crap, repeat the same cliches that have nothing to do with the Rays or their situation and echo truly moronic stereotypes about the ownership. They have nothing to say, nothing to add to the discussion, so they simply punch it up with superlatives and emotional phrases like “they should be ashamed” and “put your best team out there” et al. Duh. Isn’t that something nobody has said before.

Very telling is their awed expression about Gammons’ commentary on up and coming rookies. They seemed amazed that he knew so much. As a matter of fact, it was a useful summary of some prospects, but not anything that informed fans could not know, or at least be aware of. Now of course, some of that is hype about their colleague, but I really think they were impressed because they do not know anything.

By: Jason Floyd

Jason Floyd — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:54:48 +0000

I am watching the Yankee/Blue Jay game and they are talking about the Rays. The booth is in agreement that the Rays should put Longoria on the major league roster.

Also, Orestes Destrade is saying that the Rays should sign Barry Bonds. His reason is that Bonds would put fans in the seat for this season.

I hope they would not sign Bonds, since I think he would be a major distraction to this team.

By: Deejay Lee

Deejay Lee — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:49:53 +0000

Evan has been a “Winner” since his DJAA and WDLL days!!

Wouldn’t it be a shame if the Rays miss the playoffs this year by a couple games all because management starts him in Durham??

He’s a proven winner (Downey Junior AA, West Downey LL, SJB, Rio Hondo, LB State, High A, AA, AAA, Spring ‘08) let the party begin already. – Deejay Lee

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:31:20 +0000

I bought his jersey last night….I am sorry everyone

By: Hazleton Jason

Hazleton Jason — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:29:27 +0000

I will be sitting 2nd row behind Rays dugout on opening day in Baltimore and that is the exact lineup I hope I am paying good money to see…

As a side bar B.J. got hit by a pitch and was pinch run for in the 1st inning today, so say a little prayer that it’s just for precaution…

By: A.J.

A.J. — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:21:59 +0000

I understand the business aspect of the decision, but you told this kid that he will be competing for a roster spot. He has done everything that could possibly be expected of him and then some. He has earned the respect of his teammates, and to my knowledge, the coaching staff. I think they definitely need to put him on the roster. I know Braun’s case and Gordon’s case very well. I think you go with a combo of both. Braun batted 6th for a little while in Milwaukee’s lineup to start off, and then he moved up in the lineup at a later date. Gordon batted 3rd, if memory serves me correctly, from day 1. I think the Rays should put him on the Opening Day roster on March 31st, and bat him 6th. Let him get acclimated to the big leagues by hitting down in the order to start the year. A lineup with him hitting 6th will be very potent, and would make everyone happy. The fact that they hold off his arbitration years is understood, but does it really make that big of a difference these days with how much these guys make? We’re talking about a couple of extra million one year earlier rather than later. The kid is ready from what everyone else can tell, and I personally, would love to see the lineup with him in it on Opening Day:
1. Iwamura 2B
2. Crawford LF
3. Pena 1B
4. Upton CF
5. Gomes RF
6. Longoria 3B
7. Floyd DH
8. Navarro C
9. Bartlett SS
Now, try to tell me you wouldn’t love to see that lineup on Opening Day in Baltimore.

By: Jason Floyd

Jason Floyd — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:00:30 +0000

I have wrote an article on Saturday that he needs to be on the opening day roster. I think the Crawford quotes are very telling on how the locker room is thinking.

If they do send him down, I hope the team is honest with the fans on why they are sending him down.

Hopefully, their decision will be based on the field and not a business move.

By: Brian H

Brian H — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:46:05 +0000

the most important thing about the Ryan Braun Situation is Milwalkee missed the playoffs by handful of games, If he was up al lyear it might of made the difference. Got look at it both ways.

By: nashvilleray

nashvilleray — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:25:52 +0000

Let him play! Let him Play! Let him Play (Not until May)!!! I say hold him out till May and get him for an extra year in his prime. I am a Rays fan first and Evan fan 2nd…