Prospects, prospects, prospects (or "Same old song and dance")

John F · 01-28-2007, 05:44 PM

Marc Topkin, St. Pete Times baseball beat writer, for probably the umpteenth time in Rays history, talked about praise the Devil Rays are getting from national organizations for their stockpile of prospects in the minor leagues.

On every Rays message board I've gone to, fans have made baseball out to be a game of amassing prospects in your minor league system with visions of "Tomorrow" that never quite arrive. 2 years ago, on the Scout version of FanHome, there were fans speculating trading prospects -- for prospects who will be ready further down the road if ever.

While looking at the Rays minor leagues offers the only glimmer of hope to fans, it doesn't replace the fact a competitive major league team is the point to competing in Major League Baseball. If all the Rays are going to do is amass prospects and sit on them (instead of, perhaps, trading someone for help on the Major League roster -- note that isn't trading someone FROM the major league roster for more prospects) then I am at the point, as a fan, that I can accept the Rays being contracted.

This isn't attacking ownership for tight purse-strings as-so-much the ultra-low expectations this franchise has fostered since the 1999 season. Chuck LaMar was all about amassing prospects and we were lauded at times under his (horrid) watch for our minor league system -- and while several major leaguers came from it, the franchise was (and is) content at holding on to prospects/players until their value turns to nil.

If some people think the basis for baseball is amassing prospects -- congrats, the Rays are doing great. Now excuse me as I lower my head in dismay because the rest of Major League Baseball sees us as a joke of a franchise that's not even trying to be competitive.

Kodiak · 02-02-2007, 04:53 AM

You make a great point. Prospects are just that, prospects. The D-Rays have got a good young nucleus of players and if the team traded some of these minor leaguers that everyone is all high on then some bigger name veterans could be brought in. With the right mix of veteran and the young nucleus that this team has you never know what could happen.

Why do the D-Rays amass prospects and do little else? Simply because prospects are dirt cheap while veteran proven MLB talent ain't too cheap.....

John F · 02-04-2007, 04:04 PM

Right about the cheapness, and while penny-pinching was an epitome of the Devil Rays under previous majority owner Vincent J. Naimoli, it's not quite the same under Stu Sternberg. More expenditures on scouting abroad and re-investing in the ballpark and the community but not so much in the Major League team. That's the real deal breaker.

I look at the Rays and they remind me so much of the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) in how they built the team with a young core, brought in a few key veterans and then ended up winning a Stanley Cup because of it. You don't need much but you need veteran leadership from someone who has been there -- someone who can contribute on the roster as well as in the clubhouse.

With the Rays going the prospects-only route, seldom the attitude in the locker room will be dictated by guys who are heralded as the next-big-thing. Egos aren't what will win championships. Ask Barry Bonds.

01-28-2007, 05:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
John F Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, Florida Posts: 2,497	Prospects, prospects, prospects (or "Same old song and dance") Marc Topkin, St. Pete Times baseball beat writer, for probably the umpteenth time in Rays history, talked about praise the Devil Rays are getting from national organizations for their stockpile of prospects in the minor leagues. On every Rays message board I've gone to, fans have made baseball out to be a game of amassing prospects in your minor league system with visions of "Tomorrow" that never quite arrive. 2 years ago, on the Scout version of FanHome, there were fans speculating trading prospects -- for prospects who will be ready further down the road if ever. While looking at the Rays minor leagues offers the only glimmer of hope to fans, it doesn't replace the fact a competitive major league team is the point to competing in Major League Baseball. If all the Rays are going to do is amass prospects and sit on them (instead of, perhaps, trading someone for help on the Major League roster -- note that isn't trading someone FROM the major league roster for more prospects) then I am at the point, as a fan, that I can accept the Rays being contracted. This isn't attacking ownership for tight purse-strings as-so-much the ultra-low expectations this franchise has fostered since the 1999 season. Chuck LaMar was all about amassing prospects and we were lauded at times under his (horrid) watch for our minor league system -- and while several major leaguers came from it, the franchise was (and is) content at holding on to prospects/players until their value turns to nil. If some people think the basis for baseball is amassing prospects -- congrats, the Rays are doing great. Now excuse me as I lower my head in dismay because the rest of Major League Baseball sees us as a joke of a franchise that's not even trying to be competitive.

02-02-2007, 04:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
Kodiak Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 746	You make a great point. Prospects are just that, prospects. The D-Rays have got a good young nucleus of players and if the team traded some of these minor leaguers that everyone is all high on then some bigger name veterans could be brought in. With the right mix of veteran and the young nucleus that this team has you never know what could happen. Why do the D-Rays amass prospects and do little else? Simply because prospects are dirt cheap while veteran proven MLB talent ain't too cheap.....

02-04-2007, 04:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
John F Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, Florida Posts: 2,497	Right about the cheapness, and while penny-pinching was an epitome of the Devil Rays under previous majority owner Vincent J. Naimoli, it's not quite the same under Stu Sternberg. More expenditures on scouting abroad and re-investing in the ballpark and the community but not so much in the Major League team. That's the real deal breaker. I look at the Rays and they remind me so much of the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) in how they built the team with a young core, brought in a few key veterans and then ended up winning a Stanley Cup because of it. You don't need much but you need veteran leadership from someone who has been there -- someone who can contribute on the roster as well as in the clubhouse. With the Rays going the prospects-only route, seldom the attitude in the locker room will be dictated by guys who are heralded as the next-big-thing. Egos aren't what will win championships. Ask Barry Bonds.