Kaz: Rays need help

LHP Scott Kazmir said Friday the Rays need to add some veteran players to their young core if they want to compete in the rugged American League East, that he's tired of being part of what's "kind of the laughingstock of baseball" and suggested that the competitiveness of the team will play a large factor in whether he is willing to sign a long-term deal and remain part of that future.

"I’m interested to hear what they have to say;'' said Kazmir, who is property of the Rays for the next three seasons. "Let's see what happens.

"The thing is, we’ve got to show that we can win out there. That’s the first thing you want to do, you want to go out and be on a team that wants to be in contention and wants to win. It’s frustrating every year when you come to different parks and every one’s all over you because you’re last in the entire league every year. It’s tough being kind of the laughingstock of baseball right now. It really is. We’re better than what our record shows but we’re young, we’re still going through growing pains and everything. It’s tough, because we need some more help.’’

Kazmir is eligible for arbitration for the first time after this season and won't be a free agent until after the 2010 season. He has had some talks with the Rays about a long-term deal that that would "buy out" some of his initial free agency years and expects the talks to start up again after the season.

Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said Kazmir isn't the only one who wants to see the Rays get better, and that it will take the committment of the whole organization for it to happen.

”I think every one in this organization - I don’t think it’s exclusive to Kaz - wants to win and all of our focus is on building this organization to win the American League East and, more importantly, be able to sustain that success,'' Friedman said. "So I think all of us share in that exact same sentiment – I think everyone wants to involved with an organization that’s winning, and that’s from (principal owner Stuart Sternberg) all the way down.’’

Comments

[Joe]

These comments by Kazmir reiterate the need for Stu Sternberg to stick it where it doesn't shine. If Stu Sternberg can't keep his players happy, who the heck is this man kidding?!

Scott, you have every right to complain. Speak up against this man. I flat out question the hypocritical and contradictory nature of Andrew Friedman in regards to this quote. Why is money and budgeting an unnecessary obstacle? Its time for this charade to end and to force Stu to leave our community and our team.

[Joe]

This was a cry for help from the American League and likely major league strikeout champion. On the heels of Stuart Sternberg's comments yesterday, its obvious that he (Stu) is a boy in a man's world. You got something good, and you won't add on.

Where is the help? Is it all on Davis, McGee and Price and Reid Brignac? How foolish and illogical is your branding and baseball operational strategy?! I am sick to my stomach reading what Scott Kazmir wrote and reading Andrew "Future" Friedman's response. First off, get off of the wallet, and then live for today for once!

[Ray]

Although I agree whole-heartedly with everything Kaz said, with what he said will be the first thing the NDRO will use to get rid of him because they'll say he's a cancer in the locker-room.

Doubt they'll ever get it and finally get a couple of decent vets to help the kids out.

CC will be next too.

[kb]

Ownership should make everyone sick. If players are starting to go PUBLIC with how fed up they are over the overall suckitude of the Rays, there is a Big Problem. You know Stu doesn't care. Carl has already hinted to the media, sometimes not so subtly, that he's tired of the losing and the lack of action on behalf of management. Everyone else is, too.

Stu said he'd consider re-signing players "if the price is right." That just speaks for itself. I can't add anything to that, other than they'll probably find some bogus reason to ditch good players for "prospects to be named later" or plain ol' cash.

It is hard to support the Rays sometimes because while you want to support the players and the actual TEAM, you're implicitly buying into the nonsense that management is feeding you and enriching them all the while. That's very unfortunate. I support the team; I do not support the cheap, lying, New Yorker-owned management.

(PS: Boo Yankees, boo Mets, boo Red Sox. GO Rays.)

[wiggy]

Well, this is what many of the bloggers, including myself, have been saying for the past few weeks. Only one or two sickos like Bill assert "there arem't any free agents." Yeah, like the worst team in baseball can't use any help. I knew the players felt this way. Crawford has intimated as much. To the toadying St Pete Times: how would you like your crow served? Medium rare?

[Frank]

Good Work Kaz.. Someone has to speak out about the lack of commitment from the current ownership. The "Price is Right" guys are sitting up in New York and laughing at the Ray fans in Tampa who can be bought off with "free parking" and the same tired lines about the future. The local media and the talk radio are content with bad mouthing the manager when they should be looking at the real problem, that is, cheap uncommitted ownership.

[Eduardo]

Okay Kaz: The first one is a high heater, inside to get their attention. You (or your agent) are very insightful. If the Rays let you go the stampede is on; fans and players. Personally, I like what the ownership has done so far. They are smart and, outside of pitching, we have a good core lineup with a couple of soft spots; thats SS for one. Ownership has got to score a veteran, and not just for the fan base. These young guys need a mentor to develop properly. It must be tough constantly flying by the seat of your pants with no locker room guidance. Pick it up Stu..And put some green back in the uniforms too!