Rays set rotation

Manager Joe Maddon unveiled the rotation to start the season, and the biggest surprise is that Andy Sonnanstine will be the No. 3 starter behind James Shields and Matt Garza. Jason Hammel and Edwin Jackson will fill out the Nos. 4 and 5 spots in an order to be determined later.
RHP Jeff Niemann was optioned to Triple-A Durham and LHP J.P. Howell appears headed to the long relief spot in the bullpen.

Comments

[Hal]

An early scoop on the rotation? ? ? Thought Maddon was to announce the list on Sun or Mon. Andy's a great choice for #3, but I would have chose lefty Howell as #5 and put Hammel in the bullpen strictly for long relief duty. Jackson, as #4, was an easy rotation choice, with valuable experience gained last year, and he was out of options (had to stay or lose him to waivers.} Rays need Kaz healthy ! ! !

[Mike]

The Rays played this one correctly. Andy is the real deal - reminds me of a young Brad Radke. He is going to eat up serious innings with about a 4.00 ERA.

Jackson and Hammel are both trash, although Hammel is slightly less bad.

Can't wait until Niemann gets a little more seasoning, and the rest of the boys show up - Price, McGee, Davis, Talbot.

[McLuhan]

Howell is probably best suited for the role he is apparently being assigned(long relief & perhaps a spot start here & there). Last year he was usually great one time through the batting order, & then would get lit up. Based on earlier quotes I've read attributed to him, he also seems ready to embrace the role. Though not overpowering, Sonnanstine impressed me last year & was my pre camp prediction for the #4, or #5 spot. He has great control, usually keeps the ball down, & handles adversity well.

[Puerto Rican]

hey mang, if ju wan trouble with Edwin Jackson or Jason Hammel STEP UP Homes!
Even tho i never been to Trop, i am diehard Ray

I like Bucs too!

[raysfan]

hammel and howell are deadbeats. the rays need to think up a "solution" to the "jackson problem." too erratic to be a successful MLB pitcher. this "out of options" business is a nice excuse, but it's time to bite the bullet and let somebody else pick him up. frankly i'd let niemann take his place in the rotation. that being said, though, i'd certainly keep jackson and dump JP Howell. ugh. not only is he a wackjob on the mound, he makes faces and wild gestures (leaping, bounding, squatting) in reaction to pitches he throws. C'MON!!!!!!!

[Greg]

Just watched Neiman surrender the lead in the bottom of the ninth to the Indians scrubs on Thurs. He did get out of the inning without allowing the winning run to score and the game was then called a tie.

Is he deserving of a roster spot after that performance?

The heavy heat was on knowing the urgency to impress or digress.

Randy Johnson he is... not yet, but with the right coaching, willbe an ace.

[Robert]

Anyone catch this mechanical analysis of Matt Garza? Makes me even more excited about him.

http://saberscouting.wordpress.com/2008/03/20/matt-garza-video-mechanical-breakdown/

[Steve]

Niemann is clearly ahead of, and more deserving the spot ahead of Hammel. Niemann gets screwed just because Hammel is out of options!

[Sun "Ray"]

Wow way to spice up one of the leauges worst rotations! It's not like this was pretty much their rotation last year....Niemann had a much better spring than Hammell...

[Sun "Ray"]

Wow way to spice up one of the leauges worst rotations! It's not like this was pretty much their rotation last year....Niemann had a much better spring than Hammell...

[raysfan!]

hammel and howell strike me as being "filler" -- minor leaguers who play on the team to fill out the roster for the real prospects. make them somebody else's problem, plz!