“It wasn’t a unanimous decision.” – Andrew Friedman. (TBO.com)
“I’m confident that I can handle it down there, and the sooner I can become comfortable and show them I’m ready, the sooner I’ll be here.” – Evan Longoria (TBO.com)
“The loss of Scott Kazmir at this point hurts a lot more. Longoria could have eased that pain a bit, but let’s face it. As long as the Rays rotation includes Edwin Jackson and Jason Hammel, the Rays are in trouble.” – The Professor (Rays Index)
“Once Kaz went down, this became the only choice. In time we’ll all look back and realize what a smart move this was.” – Eric, on a Rays Index comment (Rays Index)
“Its real easy to say that when you haven’t suffered through 10 losing season.” – Possum Avenger, responding to Eric’s comment (Rays Index)
“But sadly, baseball is a business. While the public PR game may be that Longoria was sent down for some more low-pressure practice prior to a callup to prevent him from being the next Alex Gordon, intelligent people will see through this line of bullcrapp and know that it’s so that the Devil Rays will control his rights for another year before he is arbitration elgible.” – ProTrade
“That’s even though he was the best third baseman in camp. Longoria hits for better power and fields as well as any of the other five players Tampa Bay used at third base this spring. If there was one thing this spring training proved it’s Evan Longoria is as confident as anyone, both on the baseball diamond and in the clubhouse. He held his own in the field, at the plate and with his teammates, some of whom were shocked by the decision.” – Dennis Maffezzolli (Herald Tribune)
“If by “had a feeling” Evan meant “I know my bosses are cheapskates” then he couldn’t possibly be more accurate… it definitely says something to the level of commitment for winning now: it’s essentially nonexistent, even with a ridiculous core of young talent. And frankly, if I’m a Rays fan that doesn’t live in Durham, I’m not particularly thrilled.” – Will Brinson (AOL Fanhouse)
March 25th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Im still towing the company line in regards to this, remember, Evan still only hit .269 while here, was on base quite a bit, but room for improvment, right? We have more pressing issues on the team, the bullpen is a lot better, but 2 old arms could throw thier final pitches at any time… we are that close to needing Medlock and Orvella or Salas, that is scary. Starting pitching without Kazmir is not all that intimidating- Still need a right fielder if the Real Yankee Clipper cannot be any everyday option (Murton?, Willits?, Teahen?)
there things will all work themselves out within a month or so, and Evan will be here- The Rays just need to hold on and keep sight of the lead until Juneish… Remember the Rockies were left for dead as late as July last season…
March 25th, 2008 at 8:40 am
I can’t figure out the diaries…the picture it shows doesn’t come up for me…
ood draft last night.
March 25th, 2008 at 9:59 am
I believe Evan Longoria will be making his debut on April 22nd against Toronto at Orlando. The Rays will try to make the series mean a little more for the fans by making the kid’s debut be the focal point of the series. I don’t agree with the move, as I’ve said many times before. They can say what they want, but everyone knows this was just business. He earned the respect of his teammates at the big league level, and that means a lot to a player. He’ll go to Durham and dominate for a couple of weeks, and then he’ll be up and tear it up hopefully very soon. I am looking forward to watching him play his career here for a long time.
I do agree with Jason that without Kazmir, we look average at best in the rotation. I also agree that we need to address the RF situation. If they want a reliable guy, I would go with Mark Teahen. He has position flexibility, and probably has enough speed to cover CF on Upton’s off days. I don’t know if he’s ever played CF before, but he can steal 15 bases and hit a few triples here and there, so he does have some speed for a big guy. He’s a pretty decent stick in the lineup, has some pop, and can draw a walk. He does K at a higher rate than some, but isn’t terrible with it. Last year was his worst year with the K’s, but I think he’s a .285 BA guy with 15 HR, 70 RBI, 60 BB, 35 2B, and 15 SB. He’ll play pretty solid defense to go along with it as well. Another name to consider who is young and a rookie from Colorado-Seth Smith. He’s a RF who has torched Triple-A, and did well for the Rockies at the end of last year. The Rays might want to try to think about him as a possibility for a full-time, long-time role. He’s blocked by Brad Hawpe for a long time, and the Rays will more than likely end up needing a RF for a long time after realizing that Gomes won’t be the answer. If they are looking for someone to just fill-in for the year, or maybe 2, then they should go with Teahen. If they want to find someone to bring in for a long time, then they should think about a guy like Seth Smith from Colorado, or Andre Ethier from the Dodgers.
March 25th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Here is what the bullcrap is-and the stupidity as well.
Example: For years, a husband (or wife) has cared for the spouse, showing affection and respect, remaining loyal and true, caring for the others needs and in every way demonstrating commitment to the relationship. One day, s/he fails to remember their anniversary, although there are mitigating circumstances. Response from spouse: I knew it. All these years you have lied to me. You never really loved me or cared.
So it is with the Rays. It is possible to argue that Longoria should have remained in TB. I think it was the right decision not to keep him, but accept that there are legitimate arguments the other way. But to extrapolate from that that the Rays are not committed to competing or that the issue is cheapness or any other large scale generalization about their intentions or motivations is beyond stupid. It is perversely stupid.
After everything that the new management has done to prove their commitment, from overhauling the organization to developing a clear long-range plan to persistent statements backed by actions that they are building for consistent contention, to point to one decision (and a truly minor one at that in the larger scope of things, and one that can be justified on many grounds) as evidence let alone proof that they have been lying or are not so committed is unfathomable.
I do not know why the decision was made, although I think it was the intention from the beginning unless absolutely convinced to alter it. There was no lying as far as I can tell. Having initially stated that the decision would be made before spring training (for very good reasons by the way), the Rays changed course and said they would decide later. They also said that the choice would not be based on spring stats, emphasizing that by clearly noting that even if he hit .500 it would not determine their decision. Having watched and evaluated, they decided to keep him longer at Durham.
Was the issue of free agency and perhaps super two status part of the process? I suspect yes no matter what they say, although I don’t consider refusing to detail the full scope of their private conversations lying. But regardless of my suspicions, there is no evidence of either lying or intentions other than those stated except to those with small minds and less information.
March 25th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
AJ- I have had a fixation for teahen for quote awhile, but the Royals fans I have spoken t, really think we would need to give up a lot to get him, and that we undervalue him as a multi-positional player… Another guy that interests me quite a bit plays for the Rockies, but is not Seth Smith… I like Ryan Spilborghs quite a bit, and think he could do a good job if given regular PT, and like Seth is blocked by Holliday and Hawpe for the forseeable future…
March 25th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
I have a headline for tomorrow-
“BLUE JAYS BOYCOTT FIELDING IN 5TH, LOSE BIG TO RAYS”
5 errors lead to 9 runs, my goodness that’s bad!
March 25th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I wrote an entire blog post on this. Why just pull a snippet from a comment I made on another site?
March 25th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Jason,
What about:
JAYS LEAVE GLOVES IN DUGOUT
March 25th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Elgrande,
What is the specific diary problem you’re having? Either respond to shoot me an email (scottcaruso@gmail.com) and I’ll try to help you out.
March 25th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Why did the Jays cross the road? To chase down the Rays’ line drives!
March 26th, 2008 at 8:00 am
In response to Jason-I would like Spilborghs just as much as you, but from what I can tell, he’s more of a CF for them, and can fill in quite nicely for them if Willie Taveras isn’t healthy at some point, which is usually the case. If we were going to go get a CF prospect, I would settle for either Jeremy Reed from Seattle, or Denard Span from Minnesota-both those guys are lefties that the Rays crave. Seth Smith would also be a left-handed bat in RF that the Rays would like to have in their lineup for a while, which is the only reason I mentioned him. Also, I am not underestimating Teahen’s value at all. I think it would cost us a couple of valuable players-possibly a package of Mitch Talbot and Justin Ruggiano. If we had to give up any better prospects than that, I would have to think very hard about it. Maybe Jeremy Hellickson, but I’m not so sure I’m ready to give up that guy yet.
March 26th, 2008 at 11:27 am
I think this quote by Gomes speaks volumes on how the players are feeling.
“If I say I commit to winning, he’s on my team for sure. I think everybody wearing a Tampa Bay hat and uniform wants that guy here. I don’t think it’s a good day on the players’ end and for everybody in a uniform.”
March 26th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
So what? I understand a number of other players have spoken similarly. They like Longoria. That is a good thing. They wish he were on the team. That is also good. The assumption is this will somehow bring them down, dampen their enthusiasm or weaken their resolve to compete. They better be more competitive than that. I assume they are.
And in any case, it is now Maddon’s job to combat any possible negative effects, assuming there are any, which I doubt. I find it hard to believe that when Gomes steps to the plate or has to catch a fly ball, the absence of Longoria will affect his approach. Or that once the games begin in earnest he will lose heart.