Some Rays rambling.
Listening to Ron and Ian today they did an interview with Joe Maddon which was pretty good. The only thing Maddon said that I don’t agree with is that BJ Upton hustles “all the time” and that he never has mental lapses. Are you kidding me? Does he think we all listen to the games on the radio and never watch them? I’m glad he thinks we are so stupid. I don’t expect him to bash BJ or anything but don’t tell me that what I SEE isn’t true. Anyway, they reported on the radio that Maddon and Friedman had a 45 minute closed door session after the game. God I hope it’s discussing trad possibilities! I can’t watch Gomes anymore, I change the channel or look away at the games now when he hits. It is the ugliest spectacle I’ve ever seen. And Carlos Pena’s and Carl Crawford’s at-bats are almost as unbearable now too. It seems that everyone on the team is capable of at least one hideous at-bat every game and something needs to be done. I would love to see Nady here but I continue to hear that the asking price is too high. There isn’t alot out there to be had but I would like see the Rays take a chance and mortgage some of the future for it. The Yanks are down a little but that won’t last long. Boston is setup for a long run of success with a nice mix of young and veteran talent. This is our shot! Who knows how healthy this team will be next year? If a Holliday could be had for anything other than David price, do it! He could be a key in the middle that could put us over the top this year and maybe next before he walks. If, as reported, Jeff Niemann is holding up a Nady deal then someone should be shot in the Rays front office! I have to think that even Joe Maddon is rooting for an upgrade at this point. Team chemistry only goes so far before things need to change. Oh, to ramble a little more which is off the subject and something I never thought I would say, I MISS JASON BARTLETT! The rock that he’s become in the middle of this infield is astounding to me and I hate watching Benny Boo Boo (hat tip to Rays Index on that name)! Hopefully a deal gets done for a hitter or I think it will be the start of the downfall! By the way, what the hell is Crawford hitting third for now?! Hasn’t the Fat Catcher earned a shot in the three hole by now? Oh well, back to work.
Scott Brannelly
You’re way too rough on Zobrist, the kid has some pop in his bat and you’ve seen it game after game. Like everyone he needs some playing time and consistency. Some bobbles at short aren’t the end of the world. We should be thankful we have him when Bartlett goes down……
Yea Gomes is struggling, but his removal would be horrible for team chemistry. Lets see how he finishes the year….his story isn’t written yet, yes the first half of the year was disappointing.
I don’t mind Zobrist as a backup and he has come a long way with the bat so I have tried to ease up on him a little. My comments here were more directed at how valuable Bartlett has become. As far as Gomes goes, there is nothing good about him being on this team. If for nothing other than his own good, he needs to be somewhere he could get regular playing time. He’s not going to get it here and, as far as I’m concerned, has done nothing to warrant more playing time. It would not hurt the team chemistry at all if you got rid of a guy who is obviously not factoring into the teams plans.