Comments for Rays Index

Comment on Major League Baseball 2K10: The RI Review by Steve

Steve — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:36:24 +0000

Glad to hear they finally stepped up. This has always Bern the most frustrating thing about xbox, no decent baseball game.

Comment on Why Sonnanstine Might Actually Win 5th Spot In Rotation (Hint: $$) by Erik Lurz

Erik Lurz — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:16:15 +0000

I agree with Weber…I don’t know about anyone else but the race between Hammel and Niemann was a no doubter – the one with the brighter future, better stuff, and overall better value was the one we kept. Sonnastine has even more trade value because he won’t be going on waivers as Hammel would have because we have options on him. Both “races” might purely be ploys to milk a little more out of a possible trade. I’m of the opinion Sonny would do fine on a National League team, put him back in the AL East…not so much.

If it were a true competition between Sonny and Davis wouldn’t they be alternating between starting and coming in for later innings? As pointed out earlier on this blog Davis has been getting more innings against starters – maybe so Sonny can pad the stats against the farm system guys. As deep as the Rays are at starting pitcher they might be trying to position themselves to get value in other places…there will be plenty of holes to fill after this season, starting pitching isn’t one of them.

Comment on Major League Baseball 2K10: The RI Review by M

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:12:50 +0000

I agree about the defense. I’ve been playing for about a week and I don’t think I have turned a double-play yet. Tapping the button for a throw needs to be a quick release toss/throw. Also, on flyballs in the gaps are a struggle. The default outfielder you are controlling doesn’t always seem like best option.

Comment on Why Sonnanstine Might Actually Win 5th Spot In Rotation (Hint: $$) by Michael

Michael — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:44:03 +0000

“Price whiffed his way through the Carolinas.”

That’s weird, I seem to recall Price looking less than stellar during the time he spent in AAA last year. Looking at his 09 AAA stat line, he went 1-3 with 5 HRs and 18 walks given up in 34 innings. That doesn’t scream April-May difference-maker to me.

I also can’t believe anyone can say with a straight face that the Kazmir deal alone doomed the Rays’ playoff chances last year. At that point I had already written off their playoff chances both because of where they stood relative to the other teams and the way they had played all year up to that point. No way in Hell does the Scott Kazmir or ‘08-’09 put the ‘09 Rays in the playoffs in a handful of August-September starts. I’ll give you that Sonnanstine personally put a giant nail in the coffin that night against the Red Sox, but you’re giving Kazmir waaay too much credit to think he could have saved the season.

I guess people will remember events confirming whatever narrative it is they want to believe in.

Comment on Why Sonnanstine Might Actually Win 5th Spot In Rotation (Hint: $$) by Michael

Michael — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:32:13 +0000

I think the doom-and-gloomers are over-estimating the actual difference you’d get in 6 to 9 starts between the two. Yes, Davis had some excellent starts last September, but he had a few clunkers as well. He’s not a lock to be this year’s Tommy Hanson by any means. Sure, just about EVERY start Sonny made last year was a clunker, but it would not shock me to see him return to his excellent ‘08 form either.

If Sonny is named the #5 guy to start the season I’d expect him to have a very short leash, and as I stated earlier we’ll find out very quickly against the Yankees if we’re dealing with the ‘08 version or the ‘09. I can’t imagine them giving him all 8 starts before May 27 or whatever if he’s getting his brains beat in again.

Comment on Major League Baseball 2K10: The RI Review by Joel

Joel — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:26:19 +0000

I wholeheartedly agree about the pitcher vs. hitter controls. I even had an albeit brief chance to try out MLB 10: The Show, which is universally considered better; the graphics of The Show are miles better, but I think MLB 2K10 wins the basic gameplay battle. I especially like that you can tell the difference between using Tim Lincecum and, say, Oliver Perez.

Didn’t you find most of the fielding kind of odd? At one point I was trying to turn a double play – Zobrist cocked his arm and threw an overhand laser to Bartlett, who was standing about 4 feet away. Needless to say, the play at 1st didn’t happen. A lot of the fielding animation was very gamey.

Comment on Why Sonnanstine Might Actually Win 5th Spot In Rotation (Hint: $$) by Gus

Gus — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:07:26 +0000

Here’s the thing about Davis and why it is important. Everybody agrees this season is a window of opportunity. The Rays already torched last season (by trading Kazmir for both the future propsects and saving money). The Rays cannot sabotage this season to save a few weeks of Davis service time. April was a disaster last year as everybody used it as extended spring training, BJ and Percy rehabbed on the job and Price whiffed his way through the Carolinas. This division is too good to do garbage like that.

Best players play. Best players make the team. The future is now.

Comment on Why Sonnanstine Might Actually Win 5th Spot In Rotation (Hint: $$) by Beth

Beth — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:24:17 +0000

I don’t have a problem with Davis’ contract being AMONG the things the Rays consider when choosing a 5th starter, as long as Sonny’s pitching merits inclusion in a major league rotation. I think the Rays understand the importance of getting off to a good start, and of taking advantage of what might be their last year with Crawford and Pena, and I can’t see them risking it for 2016.

I honestly think that the decision to leave Price at Durham last year was a baseball decision (he really needed extra time at AAA, and I still wish he could have stayed there longer!). Not so sure with Longoria, but at least they didn’t hesitate to call him up as soon as Willie (Pipp) Aybar got injured.

Comment on Why Sonnanstine Might Actually Win 5th Spot In Rotation (Hint: $$) by Michael Weber

Michael Weber — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:13:22 +0000

Maybe Maddon’s trying to keep the market warm to move Sonny. I don’t think the Rays are sold on him in the bullpen. And the Rays definitely have some options in AAA outside of Sonny if one of the 5 starters were to get hurt.

It would be counter-productive to the market for Maddon to give Davis the nod and then try to trade Sonnanstine. With Sonny pitching well and Maddon saying good things, maybe they can get a little something-something from a National league team looking for their own Hammels.

Comment on Why Sonnanstine Might Actually Win 5th Spot In Rotation (Hint: $$) by The Professor

The Professor — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:05:55 +0000

Considering it would be the 7th reliever (the “down 9-2 guy”) I think the Rays would be content to use Bennett, Swindle or Thayer for a month or two and let Sonny or Davis be the backup SP down in Durham.

As far as faulting the Rays, I really don’t. I understand these are the things they have to do. And 5 years from now we may be very grateful they did it. But right now it worries me a bit.

It also seems a bit disingenuous to say it’s an open battle if Sonny is, as FreeZorilla said on Twitter, pitching with a handicap.