The small-market Tampa Bay Rays haven't exactly had the best of offseasons this winter, losing the top dogs of their 2008 World Series team, Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena. Rafael Soriano, the team's lights-out closer last season, recently signed with the Yankees. Tampa's window seems to be closing. Evan Longoria, the team's centerpiece, remains, but the Rays look to be headed back to where they've been for years: at the bottom of the standings, or at least watching from home in October.
They still possess a solid starting rotation, led by up-and-coming superstar ace David Price, who started for the American League and this past season's All-Star Game, as well as the aforementioned Longoria. But without Crawford and Pena, will the Rays be able to produce nearly enough offense to contend with Boston and New York in the AL East?
GM Andrew Friedman showed he at least wants to try with the signings of Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon. It would be a dream for him and the 50 fans that go to Tampa Bay games if they could relive what the two did as teammates in Boston, a World Series championship. Could the 2011 Rays be the 2008 Rays, or better yet, 2010 Giants? All of the signs say no, but there is certainly a chance.
Damon will take the place of Crawford in the outfield, where the Rays can expect a slight drop-off in every statistical category. But Damon is still a solid MLB player at this stage in his career, who can almost guarantee a .350 OBP.
In Ramirez' case, one really doesn't know what to expect. He still seems to be, while not the Manny Ramirez of the past, one of the better hitters in the game. .280/25/75 or so, while seemingly slightly exaggerated, does seem realistic for this season (if he can stay healthy) considering what he's done with the bat the past few years.
While the signing of Damon and Ramirez certainly doesn't make the Tampa Bay Rays once again contenders for an MLB crown, it gives them a fighter's chance. Damon is a veteran clubhouse leader while Manny will be Manny, regardless of location. What would be nice for the Rays organization is if these signings could bolster attendance for the team a bit, but we all know that's not going to happen anytime soon.
You're right; the Rays offense will never be the same. Crawford was the spark plug atop of the lineup. Throughout his Rays career, he was always prone to stealing bases. When he was not stealing, he still caused pitchers headaches, disrupting their composure and rhythm on the mound. Also, Crawford developed a fair amount of power and was as steady as they come in the field. He was their biggest loss.
ReplyDeleteJohnny Damon's declining legs will not be able to produce the same spark atop the lineup or provide the same defensive reliability. Ramirez's defensive indifference will certainly yield a great deal of runs.
Damon's leadership and character cannot be underplayed. He will be a veteran presence in the clubhouse and a valued leader. Ramirez also is a proven winner and still a capable hitter.
Will the Rays miss out on October? It is too early to tell. A rotation boasting Price, Shields, Niemann, Davis, and Hellickson is pretty tough to compete with. It is certainly younger and of late more consistent than that of the Yankees. The lineup is still capable of scoring runs, but will miss out on that spark in Crawford and that punch in Pena. The Rays will go as far as their starters take them.