Longoria sent down

Rays 3B prospect Evan Longoria was reassigned to minor-league camp after Monday's game.

The decision has been one of the most anticipated of the spring, as the Rays weighed Longoria's long-term future against his present-day performance.

Longoria said he wasn't disappointed but "a little bit let down'' and the Rays didn't tell him when he might be back.

"It's a tough thing to swallow; just go back down and keep doing what I'm doing," he said. "They didn't give me any timetable; it's really up to me."

Infielder Reid Brignac also was reassigned to minor-league camp.
 
Longoria, 22, made a strong case for himself, with a .262 average through Monday's game with 3 homers, 10 RBIs and 10 walks. But the Rays said from the start the decision will be based on more than just his performance in the games, citing intangibles and subjective topics. Plus, they've pointed out that he has had only 104 at-bats above the Double-A level.
And though the Rays say they are treating Longoria's situation independently of others, there have been comparisons made to how well Milwaukee's Ryan Braun did after starting last season in the minors while Kansas City's Alex Gordon struggled while starting the season in the majors.

Plus there are implications on Longoria's eligibility for free agency and arbitration - if he stays in the minors for even a few weeks, his eligibility for free agency would be delayed a year, until after the 2014 season; if he stays in the minors for several months, he likely would not attain early elibility for arbitration, known as Super Two status, which could save the Rays millions, or even tens of millions, over the next several years.

"It was a tough decision; it's something that was a collaborative process and we spent a lot of time thinking about it,'' Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said. "It wasn't a unanimous decision. It's one of those things I think with the way he played this year and the way he carried himself his timetable has been expedited even in our minds.''

Friedman said the Rays felt they were doing what was best for Longoria and his long-term development and that they tend to "err" on being cautious in these type of decisions. He also said the financial ramifications were "virtually irrelevant" because he expected the Rays would do a long-term deal with Longoria.

(Times photo - James Borchuck. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[Julian]

horrible

[corey]

what a dumb decision...

[Chuck "Chuckles the Clown" LaMar]

Shows what so-called fans know about baseball...

[CJ]

It is a business, but I don't have to like it.

[Gene]

His AB in the ninth inning of the Yankee game at Legend's field on Friday was one of the best of the spring! Unfortunately, he left the door open to send him down just enough. There is no denying the few AB's against front line major league pitching and his error in the 8th of that game is the one that allowed the winning run to score. Sounds like he is a smart enough kid to understand the situation, and hopefully the Rays are honest with him. A month of good at bats at AAA will build his confidence. By then, the 3 through 5 pitchers of the oposition will have settled in and not be throwing to get a job and may be a more even playing field for him. I'm O.K. with the move as long as he is back by June!

[CharlieRay]

BS BS BS They can BS all they want. This Stinks of money. He earned his spot. Not good. With him down, Kaz on the DH and Rocco gone it will be a hard go not to meneion the left field not hitting for avg.

[yo]

not a popular decision but probably the best one right now lets just hope he is called up at the beginning of may

[Jimbo]

Of course this is about money. And a smart move on the Rays parts as him being up for an extra month this season could cost millions later in his career. I'm cool with this decision...but I expect him back by the first week in May.

[Billy]

So much for all the goodwill built up with the fans. Play the best 3B regardless of finanical implications if you're gonna try to win over the fans. Terrible big picture decision!

[Ray]

Smart Move! If he is the type of player we are all expecting, then it will be worth it to send him down to the minors now and bring him back up mid-season, to keep him for an entire season.

[Sean]

Yeah it was a smart move. He may be the best 3rd basemen we have but he didn't shut the door on the others.

a month in AAA can't hurt him.

[jb]

This is why the RAYS will be in last again and why I will not support the New Stadium.. They are CHEAP.. These Owners are just as bad as the old one and some of you are buying into the LIES they are trying to sell you..

EVAN..Get out of town fast...

[Jason]

With the financial implications he would have had to perform to such a level that the Rays had no choice but to keep him on the roseter for opening day. He was rather pedestrian and let's hope he gets some AAA at bats and gets ready for the bigs in May.

[Jason]

JB they increased their payroll by 70% from last year to this, last time I checked parking was free if you arrive early enough, and compare the ticket price to an NFL or Hockey game. What more do you want brother? It's a process. They're never going to be able to spend like the Yankees or Red Sox.

[Jones]

I love Longoria as much as anybody, but did he really out play Willy Aybar that much? No infact here are the numbers

Longoria 262/407/595

Aybar 286/405/429

Of course Longoria has more power, but Aybar has played well this spring. Plus it's not like Longoria will be gone the whole year maybe 6 weeks. Aybar is just keeping his seat warm.

[Ray]

You idiots have to look at the long term future instead of right not.

[bear]

Uh what's the issue again with the kid getting some experience at the next level without jumping into the MLB pressure cooker?

They got this one right.

[RayMan]

Wise move. Management is hitting on all cylinders. He would have struggled the first month. Let him tear it up down there for a month, but let's not wait later than May unless the rostered 3B is on fire.

[Chip]

What a stupid decision. The best ballplayer deserves to make the team. Longoria has way too much class to complain. Remember, Longoria signed right away. He wasn't like a prima donna Delmon Young, wanting millions before he even had a minor league at-bat. Looks like loyalty doesn't flow both ways in the Rays organization. His manager loves him, the guys he plays with know he's an elite ballplayer...but the non-athletic bean-counters get to decide his future. Pathetic. Oh yeah, the fans saying this is an intelligent decision...makes me wonder how they'd be if their boss passed them over for promotion of a more experienced, but lesser talented guy.

[olaf]

The team will stay in last place because a 22 year old 3B gets sent down? Does he walk on water too? That .265 BA really knocks my socks off. See Braun vs. Gordon in 2007 before such stupid comments are made.

[RayMan]

Don't mean to go off subject, but I hope they keep Hinske.

[David]

Typical Rays move. Here is my take... Instead of spending my MONEY now to go to a Rays game. I am going to hold on to my MONEY and draw interest from the bank. Sounds like a good BUSINESS move huh. I am excited about the promise of the new season but am highly disapointed in this move to send a player down that is ready for prime time NOW. A-Rod, Griffey Jr, and Bonds all played baseball at a young age and had pretty good careers. The rays need as many marquee players at the trop now if they hope to draw the fans in.

[YourName]

sad

[RayMan]

They don't need to draw "fans" like you. I'm also hoping once the new stadium is built, it will further weed out these so-called "fans".

[John]

Andrew, that was a Vince Namoli move and your reason was a lie. A betrayal of trust to the fans. Games in April count, too.

[olaf]

I'm guessing this move means Hinske makes the team Rayman.

[annoyed raysfan]

you idiots with your idiotic comments are making me embarrassed to be a rays fan. THINK WITH YOUR BRAINS!!!! he's only going to be down there a month or so. it's not as though we shipped him off to the red sox for prospects, now is it? he's coming up SOON! keep your damn pants on. whoever said aybar is just keeping his seat warm warm was correct. EVERY PLAYER has to put his time in in the minors, no matter who they are. stop whining about this decision, it's the right move to make, logically, financially, and however else you slice it. STOP COMPLAINING.

[Bodog]

Hey Fellas, all of us have an opinion about what was good for Longoria, but I gotta go with CharlieRay, bullcrap, bullcrap, bullcrap, this was all about money and years on the backend of Longoria's career. The Rays send him down because they didn't want to deal with free agency and early arbitration years so they could keey him an additional year in 2014 instead of 2013. Bro. Stu has planted in our minds that he's gonna put a winning product of the field by year 2009 / 2010, but check this out - Crawford will be outta here by 2010 if they don't re-sign. Rocco is done, I think the magority of us know this. Delmond is gone to the Twins. That leaves us with BJ in the outfield. Well the Rays have controll over BJ for at least 5 years( that will take him to the year 2013 at most 2014). Kaz so far won't committ to a long term contract as of yet. Pena - we'll have him until at least year 2013. Shields signed the long term contract, but he'll be at least 31 /32 years old by the end of his contract. I know we have the young guns in the minors, Price, Mcgee, and Davis, plus some others in the lower classes, what I'm getting at guys - these players will all be gone by year 2014, so if the Rays were thinking money or years saved by shipping Longoria to AAA ball what message will it send to the likes of Kaz, Crawford, Upton, Pena to the younger guys in the minors. Yeah, yeah, Yeah it's a business, but it goes back to what Chip said what if your boss passed you over for someone less talented to save money and years. Well I'll tell ya. You get what you pay for - Aybar, a drug addict, it'll be only a matter of time before he starts hitting the blow instead of the ball. Guzman couldn't hit backside of a barn if he was standing in the barn. This sucks what the Rays did to Longoria - how much of this will affect him mentally being ship down - how will being shipped down affect his further developement. This kid can't learn crap in the minors - he can only go up being in the Bigs. Baaaaaaaaad move Tampa Bay Rays all away around. Players feeling, fans feeling. Damn!

[Tuck]

Great move! He really should get a little bit more experience at 3A before being called up. You don't want to rush things and mess up his confidence. Remember Dewon Brazelton?

And don't buy into all of that conspiracy theory crap about Longoria's free agency in 2013. He will tear up the big leagues when he is ready and the Rays will give him a new contract well before he is a free agent - just like they did with Crawford, Baldelli, etc...

[Scott]

Very smart move. Let him get a tiny bit more seasoning in AAA and then move him up when it's time for the first offensive replacement in late April. Like it or not, baseball is a business and a few weeks in AAA keeps him around at least an extra year.

[MIke Creyton]

Last I checked, Willie Aybar is a career .292 hitter in MLB. Longoria hit .260 in AAA last year and only had 106 AB's. Aybar hit .286 this spring and Longoria hit .262 this spring. Please explain to me why no one thinks Aybar won this job fair and square. You don't win games on potential, last I checked.

[joeh]

Baseball is a game but if you the fan want to enjoy the game you got to let management do their job. We are getting better at least I enjoyed last year as a Rays fan. I am not a manager or in baseball management but I do respect their judgement. I know bad ownership when it is there. If you are a home town fan you remember Culverhouse. As good as this kid is there is a lot more he needs to see. Needs to see at the plate, on the field and in the dugout. Hope springs eternal. What is the role of a fan? I guess it is reflected in your attitude. Are you angry, negative, positive or just happy to be able to watch major league baseball. Go Rays. One more thing. If nothing else we got eighteen more games with the Yankees.

[Bodog]

Jackasses, stop thinking in terms of batting averages when it comes to Longoria. This kid can make an inpact in a game in more ways than just his batting average. For those of you who don't beleive games count in April, ask the Yankees or Rox Sox (Every game counts.

[JB]

All of you who think sending him down was a good move are the same ones who dont care we have a last place team... I like what David said.. Untill they start winning I will put my money in the Bank and let the rest of you clowns pay Stu. Let me know when they reach .500.. I bet it wont be for a couple of more years and then KAZ and Crawford will be gone...

[Gary]

Friedman says that arbitration was not a factor in sending Longoria down? You're a LIAR Friedman.At least have the stones to admit why you're sending him down.

[Andy]

The sad fallout of the moneyball era is that too many people root for the front office to get the most marginal wins per dollar, rather than field the best team. So they saved themselves some 2014 money. Good for them...sad for the fans who want to see their team WIN!

[raysfan]

bodog -- if you have a better stat than BA, then let's hear it and give me your argument for why this magical stat you have in mind should give longoria the right to play in the majors. if he really did hit .260 in AAA, then the owners would be BLITHERING IDIOTS to put him in the bigs now. he needs more time in the minors.

JB -- last i checked you don't need to invest a great deal of money (if any at all) in order to be a passionate fan. "let me know when they reach .500"? sure thing and don't let the door hit you on the way out.

gary -- hello, get a clue. when addressing the media, you need to spin facts in a more favorable light. are you unaware of that? and, duh, last i checked, the owners want to do what's best for THE TEAM and lock this guy up, via arbitration or otherwise!

what's wrong with you people? get informed and spend half a minute thinking before you post nonsense.

[Bodog]

Damn right @ Gary. Let Friedman grow some stones.....Everyone in MLB is laughing at these CLOWNS on how they run the Rays.....If they are so cheap - why don't they just sell the team and get out of town, go back to New York. Jimmini cricket!

[Andy]

Raysfan - Ever hear of On Base Percentage? There is a reason guys like Pena, Bonds, and Adam Dunn can domninate the game without hitting .300. Longoria batted .260, but he led the team in walks, easily drawing his OBP over .400, which is far more important than the ability to hit .300.

[raysfan]

bodog, since you're such the expert, tell me why major media outlets are projecting the rays to finish over .500 this year. oh yeah, we're TOTALLY being laughed at!

as for cheapness, they've already increased payroll 70% this year you absolute idiot. you obviously don't follow the team closely enough to know that. stop filling up the blogosophere with your uninformed tripe. are you 14 years old?

[raysfan]

andy -- yes i am well aware of OBP. thanks.

[CHutch]

Pathetic. Since when is it not about putting the best team on the field. The Rays have a horrible habit of being too concerned about the financial side of the game and not making a legitimate effort at competing. Not to mention that Longoria will certainly put more people in the seats than anyone else they could put there. They're looking like a feeder team instead of a MLB team. What a HUGE disappointment.

[Bodog]

@Raysfan, I see you are one of those fans that are stat driven. There are no magical stats to any formula. The tangibles Longoria bring to a team like the Rays is insurmountable. I said it once before, stats don't measure the man. This kid has star written all over him and two weeks, one month, or two months at AAA ball is not gonna make him any better. He becomes better by playing with better ball players. Will he face the kind of pitching in the majors in the minors, hell no. bring the kid up now, let him face the fire. I remember what Dungy said about Ronde Barber when he was asked by a reporter why was he (Dungy) starting Ronde as a rook. Dungy replied "He can't learn nothing by sitting on the bench". I agree with that in the same princple with Longoria, he can't learn a damn thing in the minors. And who gives a rats azz on spinning facts in a favorable light, You ( Rays mamangement)ask me to come and spend my hard earned money and root for the home team and you don't have the balls to tell the truth. You (Rays management) ask the fans to come,spend our hard earned money,to the ball park and you don't put the best product on the field. Whose getting cheated here. Come-on Raysfan, don't WE deserve better than this. Contrary to what a lot of folk think - WE are a MLB team and City, however; if Stu and his boys continue to nickle and dime this francise ( alas Namoli)WE will always be a bush league team.

[Bodog]

@Raysfan, I'm the idiot - here we go again with the stats. Payroll up 70 per cent.....Whoppee, so now instead of 23 million dollar payroll - the payroll is at 48 million. Hell I don't need major media outlets to tell me the Rays are gonna be a much improved team. Hells bells my man, if you knew anything about baseball and stopped reading those damn stat, you would be able to see that the Rays are much improved and are only one are two players from actually kicking the crap out of the Yanks and Bosox. I actually predict the team to improve by 25 wins over last season's record - here's a stat for ya - that puts them at 90 plus wins. Dude stop putting your faith in stats, look at the team itself. You actually believe a player like Guzman or Aybar can get it done.

[CJ]

Here is what it boils down to: People will quickly forget this move if the Rays start off hot and winning. If they start off cold, fans will be bitter.

I don’t blame the team though. It is always smarter to wait on most things in life than jump in what might be “too soon.” We all have had that moment that we wanted to make some kind of long term “investment” either financially or emotionally (tell someone we love them, buy/sell a stock, start a family) but it has been way too soon. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Smart thing to do is to wait, as the Rays have.

Money issues or no money issues, this is smart in every aspect. I personally wanted to see Longoria at the hot corner on opening day but will be there regardless and follow this team regardless because I am excited about this team.

And if all of you are so reliant on Longoria being in the stadium for you to go, I expect a complete sell out for the game he is called up this season. We’ll see if you back up what you preach or are just here to complain.

Don’t let this one transaction paint the image of a franchise that has so many positive things going on. Yes, as fans we are fanatics about our team. But let’s not be outrageous and give up on this team because we jump off the emotional deep end. Investments are made best when they are thought through and not spontaneous because it is the hot item/purchase/commodity. We are just waiting for the right time to invest.

[raysfan]

i look at more than just stats, but i do think stats give you a pretty solid picture of a player's abilities.

guzman and aybar are good seatwarmers for longoria once he's ready to play. you made a good point about giving a player a chance to get better by playing with better players around him. but that doesn't always work out in your favor. the first example that comes to mind is ben zobrist. i'm sure he's improved since last year, but we had him up in the majors all of last season and he stank up the joint. i don't want the same thing to happen to longoria. with an asset as valuable as people seem to think he is, we have to protect our investment.

oh and i LOVE whenever we kick the crap out of the yankees and sox. i hate those teams.

[Tuck]

Did any of you "money complainers" read the last paragraph of the article?

Gary Shelton completely bamboozled you guys with his dumb-azz article a couple of weeks ago regarding the Rays saving future dollars.

Here it is again:

Friedman said the Rays felt they were doing what was best for Longoria and his long-term development and that they tend to "err" on being cautious in these type of decisions. He also said the financial ramifications were "virtually irrelevant" because he expected the Rays would do a long-term deal with Longoria.

LONG-TERM DEAL!!! Get it? This was all about Longoria's maturation process into a star, not dollars and cents.

[Kipp]

I'm a huge Evan Longoria fan and I can't believe I'm saying this but it's probably the right move. The guy's only 22 and if we were desprite I'm sure he's good enough to play and make a serious impact. But we don't NEED him with Aybar playing pretty good so I say keep him down until he can really harnes his skills at AAA Durham. He'll be back this year so stop your complaining, it's not like we traded him for prospects...

[Eric]

Calm down Rays fans. We will see Evan slapping the ball around "Da Trop" soon enough. Let him play everyday in AAA for a few weeks and get a hundred or so at bats, then bring him up. That extra year before arbitration will help sign other players in the future. Detroilet just gave their new 3rd baseman 152 million for 8 years. Wouldn't you send him down for a month to save 19 million? Plus they wouldn't have moved Aki to 2nd if they didn't belive Evan was the real deal. See ya all at the home opener. GO RAYS!!!!

[Kipp]

Another thing, stop looking at the spring training stats! The guys that pitch in most of these games are nobodies and nevergonnabees. The only stats that matter, if any, would come in the real season.

[bill]

Ronnie Merrill is the best SS they have and he is not starting either!!

[Tommy Da Fish]

While I wanted to see him stay, I will trust the baseball people with the decision. This has nothing to do with money as the Rays are showing they will sign talent to long term deals well before they enter free agency (Crawford, Baldelli, Pena, Shields - my guess, Upton is next). Longoria, since he signed the contract after the draft, makes no less now at AAA than if he started the season in Baltimore on 3/31. If Longoria isn't up by June or July, then maybe complaints can be made, but for now, trust the baseball people. My idea is that their years in baseball trump the 50 or so at-bats we have seen of the future phenom.

[Bodog]

@ Tuck.....Lololol.....Tuck if you believe that crap in that article about Lonoria's long term maturation as a player, I have some property in the middle of the Everglades I want to sell ya.

[Jason]

What's the big deal? He'll surely be back up this year (I'd like to see him stay in AAA until at least the All Star break). When you analyze the upside of sending him back vs. keeping him in the bigs it should be a pretty obvious decision.
Sure, he could start the season in The Bigs but what happens if he falls flat on his face? You've ruined his confidence and you're more than likely going to have to send him back down anyway. Couple that with the long term contractual issues and to me it seems pretty clear both from a business standpoint and a player development standpoint. I really do think that this decision is in the best interest of the player and the team.
For those of you that can't do anything other than complain about how the ownership is cheap: Come up with something new already! Critisizing the new ownership group after they've almost doubled the payroll from last year makes you all look like something that sits just south of dumb.

[Raysaredumb78]

Are you kidding me? How stupid can we possibly be? This kid is ready and the Rays are just too damn cheap and mentally incapacitated to make the right decision. Jesus...do we ever want to make the playoffs? Our season begins in April and I really feel if had our house in order, we could be competitive enough to make a case for the wild card. C'mon Maddon and Friedman, get your heads screwed on straight and start making the right moves!!

[kyle]

This is the worst smartest move that I love to hate. How could they. How could they not.

[Rex]

WOW!

Look at the Rays buzz. Holy Smokes - I love it.

Love the banter - bit I agree with the decision. He's not ready - he has got to work on his pitch selection. He has All-Star talent, but needs some more seasoning in Durham. He will be here before you know it guys - relax.

In the meantime - keep complaining! We finally have a team to care and complain about!

Yankee Go Home.

[Rob]

Rex is right - he struck out 25% of his abs last year. MLB pitching is whole different story. Chill - this regiem knows what they are doing. This isn't Namoli crap.

And yes - Yankee Go Home.

[Larry]

Yes, this is an unpopular move but a smart one for the long term plan of the Rays. All of the people complaining must have been listening to Steve ""the Dumb Dog Duemig on the drive home today. He was crying over the move today and the naysayers on this board are simply echoing his comments. Think for yourselves people! He'll be down a month and back with the Rays. And they'll have him locked for another year!

[russ]

i am encouraged that sending a prospect down for seasoning elicits so much response. it bodes well for the future. players know when fans care or do not. let's hope this passion shows in increased ticket sales. 5-6 games for me again this year as in every other. it would be more if i didn't live 145 miles away.

[Don]

I think the Rays made the right call. Just be keeping Evan down for a little while longer to get a few more ABs, they will be able to control Longoria another year. Sure the Rays will likely give him a big contract if he is what he appears to be but they can do so now a year later than they would have had to had he stayed up. Some fans may not like but it just shows that they do not understand the business side of the game very much. Well don't fret, they sent him down but I suspect he will be recalled before the end of May. Still, there is A LOT to be excited about as a Rays fan and I am looking forward to opening day. Go Rays!!

[Jason]

Raysaredumb78,

Sending Longoria to The Minors for a month or two isn't going to be the difference between making the playoffs and being a last place team.
Also, please see my comments about those of you who like to critisize the new ownership for "being cheap". It really is a tired act and given the rather sizable increase in payroll over the offseason, it just makes no sense anymore.

[Bodog]

@Raysfan.....you can't be for real, comparing Ben Zorbist to Evan Longoria talent wise is like comparing eggs and tomatoes, yup - you get the picture. Ben is a good little fill-in player - he's not gonna be anybody's superstar. Raysfan, Longoria is the next to the last piece of the puzzle that this teams needs to get over the top. Another rotation pitcher (Price)with Davis and Mcgee in the wings. I just don't see Aybar or Guzman doing the job - even for a month or two that Longoria would get done. He's one of those can't miss players. A player you can hang your hopes on. Put this guy in a line-up with Aki, Crawford, Pena, Upton, Floyd, Gomes/Hinski, Longoria, Navarro, and Bartlett - that ain't a bad line-up to send at an opposing pitcher. Aybar and Guzman doesn't strike fear in anybody. I think the tone had been set when Moyer walked Longoria ( in the spring game ) to get at Defelice. That's the kind of impact that Longoria would and will have once he get's to the bigs. In all honesty, do you see any pitcher in MLB walking either Aybar or Guzman in that situation. That's the kind of intangibles I was talking about in an earlier blog - the kind of respect a veteran coach gives to a young and upcoming ball player like Longoria. Only God knows how many games Longoria might have had an impact on in the first two, three months of the season - could be the differences in a 500 season, could be the differences in a playoff spot. Yup, I'm talking playoffs fellas. It ain't that much differences between the Yankees, Jays, and Rays in the standings. Look at the matchups between the teams in the East with the Rays

Yankees - 10 - 8
Bosox - 13 - 5
Jays - 9 - 9
Orioles 12 - 6

[Jeff]

Here's a different angle: With or without Longoria, the Rays are only as good as their 4-5 starters (actually 3-4-5 until Kaz gets back.) Sonnanstine, Jackson and Hammel need to pitch well, consistently so for the Rays to match the expectations for 2008.

As for Longoria, he'll be here soon enough. Let'snot forget the long term deals that Baldelli, C.C and Shields got, all well in advance of free agency. The Rays will step up and spend at the appropriate time.

GO RAYS!!

[Slump]

It isn't like Longoria sprinted to the finish line. He was in a 3 for 21 slump since March 12th. He was 1 for his last 12. He had a great first half of spring training and a bad second half. It's not good to go into a two week slump when you are trying to win a job. Especially when winning the job means the team will possibly lose a full season in his prime.

[GEEZ]

HE IS NOT GOING TO PLAY FOR THAT LITTLE CONTRACT UNTIL 2014 ANYWAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE! WHAT LETS CALL HIM UP AT THE ALL STAR BREAK WHEN WE ARE 20 GAMES BACK?????????????? THIS ONLY SHOWS HOW CHEAP THIS OWNERSHIP REALLY IS. WIN SOME GAMES FOR ONCE

[Tom "Steve" McQueen]

The rocket scientists strike again! What a stupid move!

Moreover, what a message it sends to Longoria, the team, and all of major league baseball about playing for a franchise where the ownership and leadership (if you want to call it that) is both cheap and dumb!

Here's an idea...next Gasparilla why don't we get Sternberg, Friedman, Gruden, Feaster, and few of our other sports braniaics in Tampa Bay and let the pirates kidnap them and sail them away to parts unknown?

It's depressing to pick up the paper every morning and read about the plethora of morons who are putrefying the Tampa Bay sports landscape.

[Bodog]

People, Name me one player in the minors that has stuff like Eric Bedard, Andy Petitte, Roy Halladay, Jake Peavy, Josh Beckett, Justin Verlander, Chien Ming Wang, Daisuke Matsuzaka, A.J. Burnett, Clay Buchholz, Joba Chamberlin, Tim Wakefield, just to name a few. He learns to REFINE his hitting in the BIGS with a big league coach - not in the minors.

[Apophis]

Hey Raysaredumb78 Apophis knows you need to go back and study baseball 101. These guys know what they are doing. Apophis believes You and the people complaining about this are all part of a dying breed in this town, people who are always the nay sayers about the team. Apophis knows you guys even second guessed and nay says free parking. Now Apophis knows we have hope and a hell of a good team, these people have done what they said they were going to do and that is spend more money and put together a core of actual ball players. Apophis bets you were one of the people complaining about Toby Hall and Aubrey Huff trades. Anyone want those clown back? Apophis is waiting for the reply and all she hears are crickets chirping. Apophis has spoken, Apophis knows all, tells all and is cute too.

[raysfan]

apophis -- aubrey huff! now there's one loser i'm glad we're rid of. what a buttclown!

i was one of the people who complained about trading toby hall and mark hendrickson because at the time it seemed like salary dumping. i'm not enchanted with navarro but hall clearly didn't like playing here and we don't want that kind of negative influence in the locker room. i haven't heard much from hendrickson lately but i'd take him over JP howell, jason hammell or edwin jackson any day. heck, i might even prefer hendrickson to sonnanstine.... MAYBE.

[bull19007]

I agree it's probably in his and the team's interest to send him down for the first month or two. It is not however, in Evan's agent's interest for this to occur. I think I see Scott Boras circling the waters as I type. This could really backfire if the agent uses this as leverage down the road. Upsetting players are one thing, but don't piss off their agents. The Rays better start sending Evan's agent "We love you" gifts immediately and hope this doesn't affect their working relationship.

[Tuck]

To "Bodog" - So you really don't think that the Rays will sign Longoria to a long-term contract extension before 2012?

Well, I happen to believe that before the 2010 season, the Rays will lock him up with a new 6-7 year deal.

You may not have noticed, but that has been the trend with the Rays and their best players.

After the contract extension happens, the Rays will have proven you wrong. Unfortunately, I doubt that you will even remember your past stance, because you obviously aren't the sharpest knife in the drawer.

[Brian]

Move the team to Orlando. As far as I'm concerned, the Rays' are and will always be the laughingstock of MLB, and eventually the players like Crawford and the like will play for the Yankees and Red Sox. What a joke!!! Did anyone read the SI article a few weeks ago. Longoria is the real deal. Sending him down sends a bad message all the way around. Peace.

[Matt]

Horrible move by the Rays. Look they at least have to act like they want to win. They admitted that they past few years have been an evaluating period. When is the winning period? We have the talent. Lets put it on the field. Does this mean David Price isn't going to get called up for a few years? Its a freaking joke.

The Rays need to begin to act like they want to win. They need to act like they want to be competitive. It is killing the fans and the players. Why would any player want to stay in Tampa if we can care less about W's and L's?

[Jdawg]

Everyone is making this a much bigger issue than it actually is. This decision is neither... "Stupid, Stupid, Stupid," nor a "horrible move." Stop the dramatics. It's just not that big of a deal. He will be up in no time. Regardless of where you may think he belongs right now, let's stop acting like the Rays are doing Evan wrong by placing him in Durham. That view is equally as narrow-minded as the mindset who believes he should be immediately promoted to starting third baseman. There are no guarantees in baseball, and for that matter in life. Let's just see how it plays out. It can't be bad. The kid's gonna be a star no matter what. Don't get your panties in a wad.

[Kyle E]

Geez what a soap opera. Thank God Longoria is more mature than all you screeching whiners. Get a life.

[b]

get over it....Longoria played well, but not great. He will be awsome very soon, but did he deserve to be on the opening roster this year? He didn't hit all that well against real major league starters, and couldn't hit breaking balls well, not to mention just ok defense. I don't really buy people's money complaints because I am sure they will offer a contract before all those years are up. Wait a month, then hope for a Ryan Braun/Hunter Pence-like debut.

[jeff]

ROCKIN' WITH THE AYBAR

[T]

Did anyone else notice that his former teammate at LBS and lower draft pick Tulowiski was rookie of the year last year for the Rockies? Either the Rays made another mistake (i.e. Brazelton) or they are just afraid. Yes, the money has "virtually no significance" but if you are signing someone long-term, you can still hold that over them..."Aybar beat you out in '08, so you played at Durham......so you get...."

[Sean]

Tulowiski has nothing to do with Longoria. The only comparison I would give to the two is they share an agent. What other options did the Rockies have last year? We on the other hand have an option. We got Aybar for crap. Lets let him showcase himself for a month or two and then we can trade him at the all star break.

Longoria didn't play lights out. If he did he would be on the major league roster. Aybar played as well as he did. For all you people hating on Aybar what does that say about our superstar? He may be the longterm best option but for two months in the beginning of the season I don't see a difference.

[Mo Mo]

anyone know if he's Italian?

[Drew]

Once again the fans of this team get screwed really hard and all this after the new ownership promised badly needed changes too.

[Drew]

Btw, I forgot to add that Joe Madden (Manager) really doesn't help in this cause either because if he had any "balls" Longoria would be headed north with the team.

Madden is not the solution, he IS a major part of the problem with this roster.