Previewing the AL East: The Rays of Tampa Bay

by Travis G on Mar 26, 2010 11:00 AM EDT in New York Yankees Analysis

Steve Slowinski of DRaysBay wrote a preview of his team for us.

Every time I think about the 2010 Rays a rather odd phrase keeps popping into my head. It's not a phrase you're likely to hear cast about in the clubhouse or used in any newspaper column, but it's one that strikes me as remarkably descriptive and fitting. That phrase? Ichi-go ichi-e.

For those of you unfamiliar with Japanese, "Ichi-go ichi-e" is a phrase commonly used in the martial arts and in tea ceremonies. It translates generally to "One Chance, One Moment", reminding everyone that this one moment in time is entirely unique. Look around you right now. You only have the chance to be living this exact moment in time once; are you living that moment in a way you want? Ignore the past, ignore the future - all that matters is this one moment that you are living right now. Immerse in the moment and become lost in the present.

As you may or may not know, this is a seminal year for the Rays. With contracts expiring for Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, Pat Burrell, Rafael Soriano, Grant Balfour, and Dan Wheeler, there is going to be a very high turnover going into the 2011 season. Not that the turnover is going to harm the Rays' competitiveness necessarily - with a large influx of prospects like Jeremy Hellickson and Desmond Jennings ready to go, the Rays look to be just as strong in 2011 - but this is the last season that we Rays fans can expect to see the familiar nucleus intact. This is the last season to win with Crawford and Pena aboard and the Rays need to make the most of it.

Recognizing the high turnover coming up in 2011, the Rays' front office decided to go all in this past off-season. Instead of shedding payroll by trading Crawford and/or Bartlett like many were expecting, the Rays instead went out and traded for a $7 million closer in Rafael Soriano. They brought back Gabe Kapler, almost got Milton Bradley, filled the hole at catcher by trading for Kelly Shoppach, and signed low-cost, high-upside guys like Joaquin Benoit. The Rays' payroll is now the highest it has ever been and the roster is stocked to the gills with talent and depth.

All of these moves have sent a very clear message to Rays' fans: the time is NOW. Ichi-go ichi-e. No-holds barred. Boston and New York both have stacked rosters as well, but most projection systems have placed the Rays within a win or two of them both, well within striking distance. Sure, it will take some luck for the Rays to be able to make the playoffs, but luck is one thing that the Yankees and Red Sox cannot buy. The Rays have put themselves in the best position they can for a playoff push and now we just have to see how it all unfolds.

So there it is. The Rays are going to be underrated by everyone going into this season because of their finish last year and the fact that they didn't have a showy off-season, but the truth of the matter is that this team has a deep roster that has the potential to compete with the likes of Boston and New York all season long. Don't dare count them out or you may find yourselves sitting at home come October.

One chance, one moment. Ichi-go ichi-e.

Thanks, Steve. The Rays look like a better team (on paper) than the Red Sox.

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I hope the Rays win the wild card

Poor Crawford has stuck with the team his whole career, so if the Rays want to even consider bringing him back, they should show him that they can win now. They’ve been a rebuilding team long enough. One good season doesn’t make a good team, so just like the author said- “Ichi-go ichi-e”

I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.

Vince Lombardi

by moose35 on Mar 26, 2010 12:23 PM EDT reply actions

An interesting approach. I like it.

The Rays are a talented team, no doubt. But starting pitching is the key, and I don’t think the Rays have the depth to survive 162 games. Luck could be with you, like it was for the White Sox in 2005 when everyone stayed healthy and pitched the best of their careers.

But I’d bet against it.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Mar 26, 2010 3:19 PM EDT reply actions

Not how I would have spent the extra money, I would have locked in young talent.

Red Sox cast-offs Shoppach and Kapler don’t make me weak in the knees. And the better players are rather injury prone.

by designatedquitter on Mar 26, 2010 4:15 PM EDT reply actions

Not the way I would have approached it ...

Talented? Yes. Cash-strapped? Yes. They aren’t going to keep Crawford anyway, so I’d start sowing the seeds now to move him and get something fabulous in return—preferably pitching. Pitching as we all know wins championships; and while the Rays have pitching, I question their depth of pitching, and think some of their arms are abit over-hyped.

The pitchers they do have — the three or four quality arms, I’d lock up for 3-5 years. As they showed this off season, there are plenty of spare-part guys who can contribute at a reasonable price. No necessarily so with starting pitching.

That said,

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Mar 26, 2010 4:29 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t get what you’re trying to say? Lock up the young pitchers who are still under cost-control and trade Crawford, their second most valuable offensive player? You still need a wee bit of offense to compete.

by Scooby Snacks on Mar 26, 2010 5:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Drunk ...

I may have been hung over … I reread my post and it forced me to scratch my head. Apologies. What I think I was trying to say is the Rays aren’t gong to be able to keep their team intact after 2010. Crawford is ticketed for a big payout and the Rays simply don’t have it. So package him up and get something in return before you lose him to free agency.

I think I was suggesting they do so with the idea of acquiring more young arms. However, upon closer inspection, I agree with you, they need more thunder. Losing Crawford and replacing him with 2-3 good arms would make the offense very vulnerable.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Mar 29, 2010 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions

I like the Rays a lot this year

And I think they beat out the Red Sox for the wildcard. They have a ton of starting pitching and a decent enough offense, especially if B.J. Upton bounces back. They also will bring Desmond Jennings up at some point during the season who has basically been Rickey Henderson in the minors. Francisco Cordero’s not a great closer but he addresses their biggest weakness.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Mar 26, 2010 7:03 PM EDT reply actions

Sa-YO-na-ra Rays

I love how everyone keeps comparing strange young players to all-time legends. Anyway, like I said before, the Rays just seem kind of…silly. Maybe it was the mohawks or maybe Joe Maddon looking like a complete deuce bag (especielly with those cheesy glasses) , but I just ain’t feeling it. I am still kind of pissed off they through a 90 MPH pitch at Tex’s face for our accident with Pena, but that’s besides the point. There is no way in hell these guys are going to overtake us or the Sox. You can not expect an entire staff of young guys to consistently carry you. We did in 2008 and look what happened. I guess they got away with it that year, but I think it was a conspiracy with Selig trying to cover up revenue desperity. When is David Price going to blossom into the next Bob Gibson? Maybe next year. Hey if they had gotten Milton Bradley in the offseason, I can see World Series here. I had no love for these guys and after the Tex pitch, I think they’re scumbags. Oh and Jesus Montero is the next Roy Campanella. That’s my legendary prediction. (seriously)

Global domination, bizarre experiments on youth, our best player squatting in buildings drinking Bacardi, what you call the Evil Empire, I CALL HOME!!!!

by SteveBalboniHOF on Mar 26, 2010 8:50 PM EDT reply actions

And who the hell is saying they’re going to overtake the Yankees? Not the author, and no one in the comments’ section either. Hell, I tend to think highly of the Rays, and I think this is the Yankees’ division to lose.

by FloridaownsFSU on Mar 27, 2010 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Baseball Prospectus, among others, but then again they also predict the A’s to finish in first (also among others and I have still have no idea why)

Global domination, bizarre experiments on youth, our best player squatting in buildings drinking Bacardi, what you call the Evil Empire, I CALL HOME!!!!

by SteveBalboniHOF on Mar 27, 2010 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions