Opening Day 2007 Thread

John F · 03-23-2007, 05:04 PM

Well, it's a few days off still but I figured we ought to have a grand starter thread for things...

Anyone want to make projections on the starting lineup and the 25 man roster?

secorp · 03-25-2007, 11:38 AM

They already named Kaz as the starter.

He will go 6 innings or 100 pitch's what ever comes first. 5 inning Kaz will not last the year and have arm troubles some time after the all star break. to date Kaz has never pitched a full year in the major's and may never.

Rocco also will not see an entire season ever again, I said two years ago to trade the injury bum, now it's to late every team in the league knows what a girl scout both Kaz and Rocco are.

Kaz gets all the press, but James Shields is there best hope at starter.

Crawford is lock at left, Elijah Dukes needs to replace Rocco now this year!
along with Delmond Young that is the out field.

the rest does not matter they all stink, maybe Cantu can rebound at second but I hold little hope of that happening.

John F · 03-25-2007, 11:50 AM

I asked for Opening day talk, not Devil Ray Trolling.

secorp · 03-27-2007, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John F

I asked for Opening day talk, not Devil Ray Trolling.

I think the Rays are the greatest team ever and will have the best starting line up in all the major leagues, is that better?

TITANFAN · 03-27-2007, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secorp

I think the Rays are the greatest team ever and will have the best starting line up in all the major leagues, is that better?

Gotta be one of the funniest posts I've ever seen.

John F · 03-27-2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secorp

I think the Rays are the greatest team ever and will have the best starting line up in all the major leagues, is that better?

Not really, no.

I wasn't asking for someone to go from one polar extreme to the other like a political commentator. I was asking for opinions, talk and banter. But I digress...

TheDreadedFoosa · 03-28-2007, 04:30 AM

I think Gomes is going to bust out the whoopin' stick and I think if Zobrist hits 2nd like he's projected to, this could be an interesting year, although the rotation is bleak after Kaz

TomInFLA · 03-28-2007, 01:11 PM

Projected lineup:

1st: Rocco Baldelli, CF
2nd: Carl Crawford, LF
3rd: Jorge Cantu, DH
4th: Ty Wigginton, 1B
5th: Delmon Young, RF
6th: Akinori Iwamura, 3B
7th: BJ Upton, 2B
8th: Dioner Navarro, C
9th: Ben Zobrist, SS

Rotation:
Scott Kazmir
James Shields
Casey Fossum
JP Howell
Edwin Jackson

Setup guy:
Shawn Camp

Closer:
Seth McClung

rest: just that, the rest

The real problem here is that the Rays pitching is Kaz, and a bunch of other guys. In past years the rotation has changed monthly, and there is no reason to think otherwise. Given the ST performances, there is reason to believe that Camp will be the closer and McClung as the setup guy. McClung has closer stuff, but really hasn't put it together and there is no indication he will do so.

In the starting lineup, CC and Delmon are the only guys who are projected to have stellar years. Young has hit at every level and the only question mark is his attitude. Upton seems to be working out his offensive problems, but has yet to prove it at the ML level. Cantu, even though he's ticked off about having to prove himself, still can't be counted on to be productive (although I THINK he will). Rocco, with his injuries, also can't be counted on, but if he stays healthy he will be a star. Wiggy should be productive, but again the note the "should" in there. Zobrist is an ok player, but nothing special. As long as he plays good defense, he's the SS. Navarro is ok too, but again nothing to get real excited about.

All in all, I'd love to be wrong, but I don't see the Rays doing anything amazing this year.

secorp · 03-28-2007, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John F

Not really, no.

I wasn't asking for someone to go from one polar extreme to the other like a political commentator. I was asking for opinions, talk and banter. But I digress...

Well,
my first post was what I thought the Rays will look like this year, sorry it does not seem more cheerful, not sure if that is what you are looking for.

This how I see the Rays.
Other than Crawford there really is nothing but another 100 loss season. I have been with them for 10 years and in 10 years they have never done anything of substance. Lou is still to date for me anyway there greatest signing. how sad is that, when a coach is the best they have ever done.

I like Dukes, Upton, and Delmond but they are young and will not produce until 2010.

secorp · 03-28-2007, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDreadedFoosa

I think Gomes is going to bust out the whoopin' stick and I think if Zobrist hits 2nd like he's projected to, this could be an interesting year, although the rotation is bleak after Kaz

John-E is in danger of not making the team, he is on the bubble. may have lost something after his surgery.
Watch out for Sheilds he is the best pitcher in my unbinded book.
Kaz is sexy because of the strike outs, still wins and innings pitched is what counts the most.
I like Kaz but hold little hope he will make a full season in the bigs.

secorp · 03-28-2007, 05:41 PM

Tom,
Cantu at third and BJ at second, wow did not see that coming.

TomInFLA · 03-29-2007, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secorp

Tom,
Cantu at third and BJ at second, wow did not see that coming.

Read it again, big fella. Cantu at DH, Upton at 2B. Upton has been getting reps there, the Rays are pleased with his defense there, and he's got to play somewhere, unless he gets sent down (which doesn't make a lot of sense considering the options).

Cantu will most likely make the team but he'll need to produce in a hurry. What better options do the Rays have at 2nd? Wiggy? Ok, then who plays first? Perhaps Cantu or Norton, but all I am doing is trying to project the Opening Day lineup. As for a set starting lineup, I don't think they'll have one as they've already indicated they'll use Upton as a super utility guy, Norton will need to get some reps, and Gomes and/or Dukes (assuming either or both make the roster) will need some ABs too.

Norton, Wiggy, Cantu, Gomes, Dukes, and Upton will all be projected to contribute in a significant way. If they don't, well things will change like they have every year here. I realize the broadness of that statement, but a team like the Rays simply don't have that much to count on.

TomInFLA · 03-29-2007, 08:53 AM

I just read that JP Howell was sent to AAA, so that makes my projected rotation wrong. I rooted around a bit found that I forgot about Jae Seo.

Actually this international thing the Rays have going on can only help the team marketing-wise, and hopefully these players will produce too.

secorp · 03-29-2007, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomInFLA

I just read that JP Howell was sent to AAA, so that makes my projected rotation wrong. I rooted around a bit found that I forgot about Jae Seo.

Actually this international thing the Rays have going on can only help the team marketing-wise, and hopefully these players will produce too.

Speaking about international:
Silverman was asked why he gets 30 million from the luxury tax but the payroll is a lot less than the 30 mill. he said it was for scouting, all money not spent on the payroll was spent on the minor leagues, including international.

Tom,
I see now that you have Cantu batting third not playing third, I heard this morning on talk radio he may not even make the team, I was shocked!

Hawkeye4 · 03-29-2007, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDreadedFoosa

although the rotation is bleak after Kaz

Have you seen their stats for ST? They've been the bright spot of the pitching. It's the bullpen that's still up in the air (see McDung's stats).

03-23-2007, 05:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
John F Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, Florida Posts: 2,497	Opening Day 2007 Thread Well, it's a few days off still but I figured we ought to have a grand starter thread for things... Anyone want to make projections on the starting lineup and the 25 man roster?

03-25-2007, 11:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
secorp Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tampa area Posts: 29	They already named Kaz as the starter. He will go 6 innings or 100 pitch's what ever comes first. 5 inning Kaz will not last the year and have arm troubles some time after the all star break. to date Kaz has never pitched a full year in the major's and may never. Rocco also will not see an entire season ever again, I said two years ago to trade the injury bum, now it's to late every team in the league knows what a girl scout both Kaz and Rocco are. Kaz gets all the press, but James Shields is there best hope at starter. Crawford is lock at left, Elijah Dukes needs to replace Rocco now this year! along with Delmond Young that is the out field. the rest does not matter they all stink, maybe Cantu can rebound at second but I hold little hope of that happening. Last edited by secorp; 03-25-2007 at 11:40 AM.

03-25-2007, 11:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
John F Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, Florida Posts: 2,497	I asked for Opening day talk, not Devil Ray Trolling.

03-28-2007, 04:30 AM	#7 (permalink)
TheDreadedFoosa Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 155	I think Gomes is going to bust out the whoopin' stick and I think if Zobrist hits 2nd like he's projected to, this could be an interesting year, although the rotation is bleak after Kaz

03-28-2007, 01:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
TomInFLA Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 18	Projected lineup: 1st: Rocco Baldelli, CF 2nd: Carl Crawford, LF 3rd: Jorge Cantu, DH 4th: Ty Wigginton, 1B 5th: Delmon Young, RF 6th: Akinori Iwamura, 3B 7th: BJ Upton, 2B 8th: Dioner Navarro, C 9th: Ben Zobrist, SS Rotation: Scott Kazmir James Shields Casey Fossum JP Howell Edwin Jackson Setup guy: Shawn Camp Closer: Seth McClung rest: just that, the rest The real problem here is that the Rays pitching is Kaz, and a bunch of other guys. In past years the rotation has changed monthly, and there is no reason to think otherwise. Given the ST performances, there is reason to believe that Camp will be the closer and McClung as the setup guy. McClung has closer stuff, but really hasn't put it together and there is no indication he will do so. In the starting lineup, CC and Delmon are the only guys who are projected to have stellar years. Young has hit at every level and the only question mark is his attitude. Upton seems to be working out his offensive problems, but has yet to prove it at the ML level. Cantu, even though he's ticked off about having to prove himself, still can't be counted on to be productive (although I THINK he will). Rocco, with his injuries, also can't be counted on, but if he stays healthy he will be a star. Wiggy should be productive, but again the note the "should" in there. Zobrist is an ok player, but nothing special. As long as he plays good defense, he's the SS. Navarro is ok too, but again nothing to get real excited about. All in all, I'd love to be wrong, but I don't see the Rays doing anything amazing this year.

03-28-2007, 05:41 PM	#11 (permalink)
secorp Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tampa area Posts: 29	Tom, Cantu at third and BJ at second, wow did not see that coming.

03-29-2007, 08:53 AM	#13 (permalink)
TomInFLA Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 18	I just read that JP Howell was sent to AAA, so that makes my projected rotation wrong. I rooted around a bit found that I forgot about Jae Seo. Actually this international thing the Rays have going on can only help the team marketing-wise, and hopefully these players will produce too.