Tampa Bay Sports Blog

   The Rays activated reliever Gary Glover today and immediately designated him for assignment. Bye bye Glover, it’s been fun, uh not really. That’s all I’ve got to say about Mr. Glover. Anyway, I had a slow day today so I decided to look at some of the past games this year with Justin Ruggiano to try and get a better hold of what type of player he is. I have come away with the same impression I had before, why no shot for this guy yet? He has decent pop in his bat, is a good fielder, has a decent arm in RF and has basestealing ability. I keep seeing other sites call him a tweener and that is a stupid statement. You can’t call someone a tweener when they haven’t played much at the next level. He’s done enough to earn a shot here and there is no real reason to keep him down at AAA. The thing that is getting to me is that Gomes (I know and I’m not letting it go either) continues to get limited playing time and complains about it. He says that he needs consistent playing time to get himself going. How bout the time you’ve gotten before this Jonny? And if a guy can’t perform well in limited playing time, bring up the guy who has. Ruggiano has performed well enough in his limited time at this level this year to at least be considered. What’s the harm in all this? Why don’t the Rays let Gomes go? He doesn’t factor in here anymore, it’s obvious. Ruggiano might and should. If the Rays don’t make a deal for a legit right fielder, Ruggiano should be considered for the job. We’re all impressed with what Gabe Gross has done in the clutch, but he’s still sporting .224 avg, and Eric Hinske has been in a downward spiral for a while now. There should be more of a pressing attitude toward this from the Rays as there isn’t much left to be had trade wise. Unless somebody like Holliday, Magglio Ordonez or Hunter Pence become available, then Ruggiano should be looked at as the next best option. I’ve enjoyed this season more than I ever thought I would have and want the Rays to make a better effort towards staying near the top. It should scare everyone knowing that the Red Sucks are what they are and now the Yankees are steamrolling towards the top. I just want to remain excited all year.

Technorati Tags: Eric Hinske, Gabe Gross, Gary Glover, Hunter Pence, Jonny Gomes, Justin Ruggiano, Magglio Ordonez, Matt Holliday, Tampa Bay Rays

   There are a ton of rumors swirling around the Rays as the deadline approaches this Thursday and they’ve got everyone guessing as to what they’re gonna do. I know my stomach dropped Friday when I saw the Yankees had obtained Xavier Nady and Demaso Marte from the Pirates. I really wanted Nady and thought the Rays could’ve gotten him using some sort of package involvingguys like Edwiin Jackson, Jason Hammel, Jeff Niemann or Andy Sonnanstine. The Pirates need pitching and the Rays have some to spare, so what happened? It’s anybone’s guess. This is hard for me to swallow for two reasons. It really helps the Yanks, who are coming fast, and it blocked the Rays from the deal. They killed us twice so to speak. This all leaves me wondering what the Rays plan to do. They’re being linked to guys like Brian Fuentes, Ron Mahay, Clint Barmes (god no), Jason Bay (no way that’s going to happen), Matt Murton, Mark Texiera and Matt Holliday (just for fun on the last two). I’m getting more frustrated with this because they don’t seem to be actively trying to move a Jackson, Hammel or Sonnanstine the way they should be. When David Price is ready to come up, one of these guys needs to be gone and they’re not looking to create an opening. This makes me think that we won’t see Price this year until September at the earliest. Their lack of moves also makes me believe that they’re are counting on Rocco to make an impact and that’s just crazy. I love Roc but we all know he’s one step away from a hospital bed at all times. I’m really curious about this whole thing. If they do get a Brian Fuentes, who’s gone? I would like to see Trevor Miller take a walk as he’s been disappointing. Any move they make for a bat must involve Gomes’ removal from the roster (finally!). If they don’t want to mortgage the future for today then they need to start using some of that future to see if it fits. Gomes has to go and Ruggiano should be given a shot to replace him if no trade is made. There is no trade market for Gomes so a DFA should be made asap. I would love to have seen the Rays capitalize on Jackson’s improvement this year and move him to make room for Price. I would like to see Sonnanstine stay because we do need an innings eater and Jackson isn’t it. I will be following these rumors closely this week and I’ll begin to list what I see as it’s close enough to watch now. I really do hope a move is made, even if it’s not a trade but a move to bring someone up and try to improve this team.

Scott Brannelly

Technorati Tags: Andy Sonnanstine, Brian Fuentes, Clint Barmes, David Price, Demaso Marte, Edwin Jackson, Jason Bay, Jason Hammel, Jeff Niemann, Jonny Gomes, Justin Ruggiano, Mark Texiera, Matt Holliday, Matt Murton, New York Yankees, Pittsburg Pirates, Rocco Baldelli, Ron Mahay, Tampa Bay Rays, Trevor Miller, Xavier Nady

   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

Technorati Tags: Andrew Friedman, Ben Zobrist, BJ Upton, Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, David Price, Dioner Navarro, Jason Bartlett, Jeff Niemann, Joe Maddon, Jonny Gomes, Matt Holliday, Rays Index, Tampa Bay Rays, The Fat Catcher, Xavier Nady

   With the Rays offense struggling to push across runs, and the major need being a right handed bat to help out against lefties, this has to be Jonny Gomes last shot at production this year. I can understand why fans and even his teammates like him but his personality is not enough to keep him on the club. The Rays have been eyeballing guys like Xavier Nady, Jason Bay, Matt Murton and even Matt Holliday (not really). With the A’s throwing lefties at the Rays for the next three games Gomes has an opportunity to prove he can be that guy. At the start of the season we knew he would have limited playing time, we knew he was a defensive liability and with all that considered we counted on him to hit homeruns, especially against lefties. Mr. Gomes has disappointed in almost every way so far (he has done well stealing and running the bases) and it is time to show and prove. He says he’s a guy that needs regular playing time to get his swing right, what player doesn’t? All the excuses are gone now and he must start hitting. The Rays are winning more than we anticipated and a true RF/RH hitter could help put this team over the top. The trade market is iffy as the asking price for Bay and Holliday is too high, Nady might be damaged goods and Murton is still unproven. It also works against the Rays by having too much depth in the minors as every team has ridiculous asking prices when they speak to the Rays. It’s time for Gomes get it done or go ahead and join the WWE!

Scott Brannelly

Technorati Tags: Jason Bay, Jonny Gomes, Matt Holliday, Matt Murton, Tampa Bay Rays, Xavier Nady