Bye Bye Wiggy!!

Let's first start by mentioning that we will sincerely miss having Ty Wigginton as a member of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Wiggy was a hustler, a leader, and a grinder. He played with the type of attitude that every player should play with. With all of that being said, moving Wiggy was ABSOLUTELY the right move to make. The future of this team has no plans involving Wiggy, at best he would be used a utility infielder. The Rays have now turned a utility infielder into a good relief option, which if you add up our previous good relief options, that leaves us with 1 good relief option. Many would argue that Al Reyes is a great relief option, but ever since his return from his injury stint, his fastball doesn't have as much movement as it did previously, and we expect it to show in the next month or so. With all of this said, lets break down the trades.

Rays acquire: (RP) Dan Wheeler Astros acquire: (Name Any Position) Ty Wigginton

Breakdown: We know the Astros are trying to beef up their offense, but this move is puzzling. While Wiggy's power should excel in their park, he will still have a low OPS, and will continue to be a way better fantasy player than actual player. The Rays however acquire a pitcher who already has a history with the team, including a great relationship with Jim Hickey, the pitching coach. Hickey was Wheeler's pitching coach during his 2 best seasons in which he posted sub-3 era's. If Wheeler's isn't moved again before the trade deadline, expect the Rays front office to get him signed to a extension before years end.
Who wins: Rays got the better end of this trade, its not even close.

Rays acquire: (RP) Grant Balfour Brewers acquire: (RP) Seth McClung

Breakdown: This is a move very similar to the Brazelton/Burroughs move from a couple years ago. Its a change-of-scenery trade, where the Rays receiver a high risk/high reward opportunity in Balfour. He has had injury problems in the past, but he has posted some solid numbers while healthy. He has yet to post good MLB numbers, but he also has limited experience. McClung has proven that he can throw the ball really hard, and he has also proven he's not really sure where that ball is going. If McClung can limit his walks, he could prove to be a successful major league pitcher, only time will tell.

Who wins: TBD; both of these players have loads of talent, but haven't capitalized on it yet. I like the trade for both teams, and also for both of the players.

Rays acquire: (RP) Brian Shackelford, (RP) Calvin Medlock Reds acquire: (2B?) Jorge Cantu, (OF) Shaun Cumberland

Breakdown: We would've been happy trading Cantu for a used jock strap, getting some value in return is just a bonus. Shackelford is 30 years old, but still learning himself as a pitcher, since he was converted from the outfield in 2001. He will immediately join the bullpen, and will be an upgrade over Casey Loss-um. Medlock has proven to be a successful pitcher in the minors, and will be given a chance to grow in the Rays system. Let it be known that I used to love Jorge Cantu, I even met him in person at the mall once, but his attitude this season will make me hate him as a player forever. You are getting paid to do a job, if your boss doesn't think you are cutting hit, he can assign you to another project, and as long as your still getting paid, you shouldn't have anything to complain about.

Who wins: The Rays, getting anything for him is a surprise at this point.

TSR is back!!!

Due to other commitments, TSR was out of commission for a long time, but now we are back for good......whether you like it or not. Alot has transpired since we have last posted, and from now on out expect multiple posts a day covering all of Tampa's teams. You can also expect a post later tonight covering all of the recent Rays trades.

HEEEEERRRRRRRRREEEEESSSSS JONNY!!!

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Jonny Gomes is back with the club, and is doing it in Jonny F'n Gomes fashion. Yesterday, Jonny went 3 for 3, including 2 homeruns and 4 RBI's in a Rays 7-4 victory over the Rockies. That was his 3rd homer in as many games since being recalled. He looked like the Jonny of old, and I can speak for everyone when saying we hope it continues. With his heart and hustle, there is nobody else you would want to see perform more.

He wasn't the only helper in the victory, as "Mr. Consistent" Carlos Pena continuted his domination of major league baseball. Carlos was 2 for 4, with a double, a homer, and 2 RBI's. His homer was a 452 blast to the upperdeck. Carlos is slowly becoming a AL MVP contender. He now has 16 homers and 42 RBI's, then you have to consider he has way less bats than most players in the league. At this point, I dont know how he can be kept off of the All-Star team. Our All-Star selections should be very interesting, as we have as many as 6 players who are putting up All-Star quality numbers (Pena, Shields, Reyes, Crawford, Upton, Harris.)

Kaz pitched decent last night. Giving up 3 runs is considered a good performance in that ballpark, but he only went 6 innings. At some point he needs to break this barrier and start throwing like he is capable of. With our bullpen it is vital that we get 7 innings out of our starters. Even if the bullpen pitches 3 innings of perfect relief, you still have your best relievers going 3 innings, and the next game you might not have your better relievers available.

One other performance that I found noteworthy was the inning of relief by Gary Glover. Coming off of a bad outing, he came out and allowed the leadoff hitter to hit a homerun. What was great, was how he shook it off and took down the next 3 batters in order, including 2 strikeouts. That is the difference between a pitcher like Glover and a pitcher like Orvella. It is the self-confidence that helps relievers get outs. Gary Glover doesn't have the talent of a pitcher like Orvella, but he has a mound presence where he thinks he will get every batter out.

News and Notes
-Expect a article out either today or tomorrow listing all of our all-star candidates, with the likelihood the get selected, and a case for why each player should be selected.

Possible Moves/Targets...

I decided to compile a list of players, who I think the Rays should consider going after, and also what it would take to get the said player.

1. Michael Barrett, C Chicago Cubs

Why we should do it? Anyone that follows baseball would know that the recent clubhouse troubles that Barrett has had. He seemingly just will not fit in Chicago, and I think Tampa should welcome him with open arms. Lets just consider his last year stats: .307 BA and 16 HR. Now consider what Navi has done for us so far this year: .179 BA and 0 HR. Think about all of those times that Navi has been up in clutch situation, and you already knew the end result.

What will it take? I think the starting point in this deal would be Navarro, then whatever else we could add on until the Cubs take the bait. I have come up with 2 scenarios that I think could possibly be succesful: 1. Navarro and Dukes 2. Navarro, Zobrist, Ruggiano

Chance of Happening? 20% Although there have been recent problems in Chicago, I think it will all be forgotten once Barret starts hitting a little better, but lets hope a deal can go through!!

2. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C, Atlanta Braves

Why should we do it? Salty has been on our list for a while and the opportunity to get a deal is slowly dwindling. He is one of the top catching prospects in all of baseball, but is behind Brian McCann, who one of the elite catchers in the game, and at a young age. The Braves will likely try and move Salty to first, but if the right offer came in, they wouldnt be able to turn it down.

What would it take? Again it would likely start with Navi, I could see a Navi + Wiggy or Baldelli, maybe a player to be named later as well. With Wiggy it could help fill in a hole at 1B, but also add the ultimate utility player. A Trade of Baldelli could be a pre-emptive move on the Braves part, if they do not plan on re-signing Andruw Jones in the offseason.

Chances of it Happening? %10, they have waited this long with Salty, doubt they move him now.

3. Aaron Heilman P, NY Mets

Why should we do it? Heilman is only 28 years old, and he has some very good stuff. He has pitched to a 3.86 ERA this year, and I think that he could be very useful to the Rays as a reliever. We have always had interest in him, but a deal has never been made.
What will it take? Dukes....my offer would be Dukes straight up. The Mets deseperately need help in the outfield, and we should use that as a chance to capitalize.

Chances of Happening? 15%, The Mets are very wary of talking the Rays after getting burnt in the Kaz/Zambrano deal. Even if it were a fair trade, that alone could shut down a deal.


These are just a couple deals that we could possibly see going down to help the Rays, feel free to comment on how you feel.

Where did the bats go?

Following a shutout in the previous night, the Rays bats were baffled again in a 7-1 loss to the Padres. Although the game wasn't on television, that did not stop us from attentively following the gamecast on ESPN. Although the final score was 7-1, it was a close game for most of the way through it. JP Howell pitched a gem of a game, going 7 innings and allowing only 1 earned run. Our relief pitching on the other hand, did not go as well. Recently reliable Gary "G-Love" Glover allowed 3 runs plus 1 inherited in only .2 innings. New Rays pitcher Jay Witasick saw his first action, and joined in to allow 2 more runs in the 9th.

The Rays only run was in the form of a Jonny F'n Gomes blasty blast. In his first game since being recalled from AAA, Jonny reminded us what it is that he does so well. With Upton and Baldelli out, and Dukes continuing to be an idiot, we hope that this allows Jonny the opportunity to show his stuff, even just for trade value alone.

Looking Ahead:
Rays begin a 6 game roadtrip today at 9:00 against Colorado. Staff Ace James Shields will be up against another pitcher with a hot hand in Rodrigo Lopez. We hope Shields can do what he always seems to do, and turn this team around. Our bats have fallen quiet these last couple days, and what better place to wake them up in than Mile High Stadium?