Thanks for chatting with Marc Topkin

The Rays are off today, but Times beat writer Marc Topkin talked baseball in a live chat from noon-1 p.m.

So what now?

The Rays just completed a stunning sweep of the Red Sox, winning three consecutive tense games before rollicking crowds at the Trop, and have improved to a major-league best 52-32. The 20 games over .500 is a franchise high, and so is the size of their lead -- 3-1/2 games, with the Sox opening a four-game series in New York tonight. By the way, the 3-1/2 games the Sox are out of first place is their largest deficit since the end of the 2006 season.

The Rays -- in theory -- should have it easier for a while, with eight of their 10 games before the All-Star break against the struggling Royals and Indians (and two against the Yankees). And after the break, they play 10 of their first 13 against the Royals and Blue Jays, then their next 10 against the Tigers, Indians and Mariners. Point being that after playing what may have been the toughest schedule in the majors thus far, they now play what appears - and that's important - to be an easier slate.

To participate: Come to 'The Heater' at or after noon and look for a new post with the headline, "The chat is OPEN." Click on the "Comments" link of that item and you'll be taken to a page with everything that's been said in the chat so far, and a place at the bottom of the page for you to add your own comment or question. Just keep refreshing the comments page to see the latest.

-- MARC TOPKIN, Times staff writer.

(Pictured: Rays fans cheer and Red Sox supporters wince as the Rays complete a sweep of their three-game series at Tropicana Field. Times photo -- James Borchuck. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[The Truth in Maine]

I'd like to take a moment to apologize for Jeff aka VHSchola. He is a feeble minded little prissy who runs a internet radioshow called the Sports Vortex. According to Webster's a votex sucks. In this case (the Vortex - or as it is known locally - the sports Kotex) case, it holds true. Google VHSchola and you will see the guy trolls on 100s of forums and blogs. He's been banned from several forums for profanity, and has never met a person he would not threaten physically over the 'net. Most of us Mainers are fond of the Red Sox, and bleed the Sox Red. However, we mean no disrespect to any of you Rays fans in Tampa (or anywhere else)

Be proud of your team, they are really fun to watch.

Looking forward to a competitive completion to the season,

- The Truth in Maine

[Dom]

Willie Mays has nothing on BJ Upton. Not after last night.

[Mike]

Dom,

You are posting in the wrong forum. This is about Rays baseball. Not the prospects of a new stadium.

[Rick K to Dom]

Dom, it would be better, I think, if we let SOME space somewhere be free of ANTI-Stadium pratter.

[Bill]

Jackson would have to be a part of a trade for a starter because we'd have to drop him from the 40 man roster and he'd be picked up off waivers.

[Ray F]

This chat has nothing to do with a stadium.

Try ballpark frankness

[Dom]

Rick, whatever the Rays propose, it's done with the blessing of the city administration. When the commish of MLB badmouths the Trop, it smells of cronieism. It doesn't take an idiot to see that the traffic pattern with the new proposal just doesn't make *CENTS*!

[Dave]

This may be naive on my part but I believe the stadium plan was bagged due to the Rays FO realizing we can't spend anymore money on this project this year. They need every dime to sign a FA or make a blockbuster trade to stay in this race.

[Einhard]

Hello Marc. Thanks for the chat.
Do you have any idea of how much Maddon uses advanced statistical analysis in his decisions, and by the same token the extent to which that sort of analysis influences the front office? For example, might they be reviewing pythagorean records and 3rd order records to assess where they are and what the future might hold?

[Dom]

Incidentally, we can all thank Lugo for last night's win. Since Bartlett can't throw straight anymore, I'm sure Boston would like to do a switch. Would the Rays take Lugo back?

[Dave]

Marc,

Thanks again.

You guys keep up the great work.

[Rick K]

Dom, please set aside your irrational emotions and look a little more reasonably at what has happened with the stadium proposal.

The Mayor has "come clean."

We now have a very clear consensus on the part of elected leaders and business leaders and the Rays in terms of how we will be moving forward to build a new stadium to replace the obsolete Trop.

No need to be irrational or unreasonable about it, nor to imagine boogie men behind every curtain.

[Dave]

I still think Talbot being called up has more to do with an impending trade. There are a lot scouts now watching the Rays - more than ever. You can bet other teams will have some detailed information about players on the roster. I just hope Talbot never gets in. That will mean the starters are still getting to the 6th and 7th inning of every game.

[Dan in NY]

They showed a stat on ESPN about Kaz throwing over 62% first pitch strikes. I watched the entire game and noticed last night he was throwing about 65% first pitch balls. That first pitch can either kill you or the hitter. The best thing about this TEAM is that when somebody starts slumping, or making mistakes, somebody else always overachieve's to make up for it. Up here in NY a lot of the local reporters are comparing these Rays to the '96 Yanks...
Wouldn't that be nice if our season ended the same.

Thanks for the Chat Marc, I look forward to reading more of your articles during the playoffs.

And I do have to say, Thank God for MLB.TV and Extra Innings. I don't know what our family would do if we couldn't catch some Rays this summer.

Thanks again.

[Ray F]

Awesome time Marc.

Quickest hour of my day...

What about making this a normal occurance???

[Marc Topkin]

Thanks for all the questions - lots of different issues and ideas raised, which makes it fun and more interesting. Sorry if we didn't get to everyone. Keep checking the Heater for daily updates about the red-hot Rays, and we'll try to do this again soon.

[Marc Topkin]

As we wrap up here, I'll try to answer a couple quick ones. Dale Thayer has put up some impressive numbers at each minor-league level but there are several relievers in front of him it seems - Scott Dohmann, Kurt Birkins, Juan Salas (when healthy). ... Fuentes is a free-agent after this season, which is why he will be available. ... Talbot is probably just a short-term fill-in assuming Al Reyes comes back from the DL next week.

[Dom]

The Trop! Just what has MLB got against the Trop or is it the city of St Pete goading them on to increase the grand list? This whole business about a new stadium smells like something from down on the Clearwater Beach fishing pier. Shouldn't the mayor of St Pete come clean? Or does he think we're all hicks?

[clearwaterfred]

Just a comment: This team reminds me alot of the 1996 yankees. Low key manager and a hungry roster that somehow added up to a winner. Truth is the Rays roster now seems superiour.

[Duffiedawg]

Marc's blog post and links below this one is well worth following.

Both Boston and New York are looking at the Rays with their eyes wide open. (kind of boggling, actually!!)

[Ray F]

To elaborate on what DAN in NY said...

Do you think he also may not have the same functioning faith in his defense as the other starters???

He seems like he's still trying to paint the corner on every pitch but 3-0 or 3-1 when he's dangerously behind.

I think he needs to start pitching more to contact and let his defense do their job like they have for, ESPECIALLY, Sonnanstine.

Sonny gives us 7 solid innings consistently and always has a low pitch count because he allows the ball to be put into play.

[Bryan]

Marc,

Do you know how many years are left on Fuentes' contract? I'm wondering if he becomes a free agent after this season and we would just be renting him for a few months. Also, if he does become a free agent and he leaves after the season would the Rays get any additional supplemental round draft picks next year like if Sabathia leaving for free agency would generate?

[staplemaniac]

How many shots will Talbot get in the bullpen? He's got to be going back down as soon as Reyes or Percival are back right?

[Marc Topkin]

I'm of the opinion that Kazmir will be fine. Physically, he was fine last month when he strung together all those wins, and there's no reason to think he won't be able to do that again once he has better command of his fastball. I don't think, as someone suggested earlier, that he's being overcoached, just that he needs to find a comfort zone where he can throw more strikes, and thus throw fewer pitches, earlier in games. When he starts falling behind hitters early, as he did last night, it's usually going to be a short night.

[Murf]

As a die hard Rays fan from the start, this season is like a fantasy. I love the chemistry on this team and would like to see the Rays not mess with it. I say, make a run to the playoff dance with the guys that got you this far.

[Marc Topkin]

Clearwaterfred asked how the players in the clubhouse handle the skepticism from national media and other players (i.e., Big Papi)? In short, they seem to be motivated by it, adopting a approach sort of like, "whatever, we'll show them.''

[Dave]

Let's not forget Pena has been hurt almost every week of this season. Plus his defense I believe is like adding +30 points to his average.

[Duffiedawg]

Maddon is just the right manager at the right time, low-key but firm (Ask Troy Percival). No yelling, no screaming at his players, all anger generates is resentment.

The last of the players needing yelled at left when the door hit Delmon Young in the A@@.

This team is composed of acheivers, and are just that...a TEAM

[Dan in NY]

What can we expect from Kazmir? I brought up the question to my wife yesterday that maybe Kaz is not handling the pressure this year too well. Any thoughts?

[Marc Topkin]

As soon as Pena signed that big deal - $24.125-million over three years - there were two themes of questions: would the pressure of the deal affect him, and would he produce as well knowing he was going to get paid. With some players, those are both very valid issues. But with Pena, I don't think his problems this season are the result of not trying hard. If anything, he might be more a product of the first question, that because of the contract he is trying TOO hard. But, as I said earlier, if he gets in a groove, he has some pretty rough months to make up for.

[Dave]

Also, do you think Dale Thayer will get a call this year? He looks overpowering with stuff this year.

Thanks for holding this chat - it's great.

[Dan in NY]

I don't hear too much about Gary Glover these days. As far as I'm concerned he has been serviceable, but don't we have better relievers down at AAA that may prove to be more valuable to this year's team, as well as our future?

[clearwaterfred]

How is the idea that the Rays still aren't taken seriously around MLB, especially die-hard yankee and red sock fans, playing in the locker room? Does it wear on the players that they are going to have to go out and prove themselves every night? I have read columnists comments like: Just wait until October and stuff like that.

[Rick K]

Regarding mid season trades: Do you think there will be reluctance to pull the trigger, both to resist upsetting this magical team chemistry, and because mid season trades are just as likely to be busts as successes?

[Dave]

Any idea who the Rays would have to offer to Colorado for Fuentes? Jackson? Niemann?

[Marc Topkin]

You're right about Rocco returning being similar to adding a free agent or making a trade. And that's why - unless the Rays know for sure that he won't make it back - that I don't think you'll see them make a big trade, or give up too much, for a righthanded hitting outfielder. (And if they do, that would be a sign Baldelli won't be back.)

[Marc Topkin]

Dave asked about the Rays going after closer Brian Fuentes and OF Matt Holliday of the Rockies. I think there's much more interest in Fuentes, who would add another experienced option to the 'pen, and provide protection if Al Reyes and/or Troy Percival aren't healthy to pitch much, or at all, down the stretch.

[Dave]

If Rocco's beard keeps him strong the let it grow. Baldelli's bat and glove would be ;ile adding a top free agent to this team.

[Ray F]

...12:44 by Ray F too. OOOPS

Marc,

I have a comment on what you said earlier about Pena...

You said "He's not going to repeat what he did last year"...

With what the team gave him and the fact that his agent, Scott Boras, called him "The greatest pplayer to ever wear a Rays uniform" last year, isn't it about time to start questioning his ability to get the job done as his contract demands???

What his performance, so far, has shown is that all you have to do is post monster numbers one year and you're set for life.

[Marc Topkin]

Dan in New York asked about Rocco Baldelli, who is always a popular topic here at Heater Headquarters. Baldelli is working out with the team this week, after spending the previous two playing with the Class A Vero team. Both the Rays and Rocco are hopeful he will feel well enough - over simply, he has a rare condition that causes muscle fatigue in his legs - to play later this season. He may be limited to DH and pinch-hit duties, though some hope he will also be able to return to the field, at least on a limited basis. The scenario I keep coming back to is that he comes back as a DH/PH in September and helps the team win a game or two, which would be a remarkable story in a remarkable season. And what do you think about his beard?

[Dave]

Marc,

How serious are the Rays with going after Fuentes and Holliday from Colorado? If we do pursue who do think is the trade bait the Rays will offer?

[Marc Topkin]

The call on the Lugo play last night was absolutely right, as he went wide of the base, he came up into Bartlett, AND he used his arms. And I agree with the post that the previous events, and perhaps Maddon's comments about them, raised the "awareness" of the umpiring crew to those type of plays.

[Marc Topkin]

There have been a couple of questions about moving Jeff Niemann to the bullpen, but I don't necessarily agree, at least at this point. It seems like Niemann has been around forever (drafted in 2004) but with assorted injuries he still hasn't really been able to establish himself. Closing takes a state of mind as well as special skills, and Niemann still seems more suited to starting. It was interesting that when they needed a reliever this week they didn't bring up Niemann and instead decided to try Mitch Talbot. And maybe Niemann's name will come up in trade discussions.

[Rick K]

Applauding Winston's remark at 12:20. I think the umps' response to that play was a direct result of the way Maddon and the team complained to league officials after the Boston incident and a similar play on a Saturday night at the trop where a sliding baserunner armtackled the second baseman.

It has been a classy response urging baseball to enforce the rules, avoiding bench clearing brawls when players are forced to become their own enforcement.

[Marc Topkin]

Ray F had an idea about trading Reid Brignac and signing Jason Bartlett long-term. Brignac could well be part of a trade - or at least trade discussions - as the Rays have Bartlett now and top draft pick Tim Beckham expected to move quickly through the system. There's no need to sign Bartlett long-term as the Rays have his rights for three more seasons, though doing so could help since they will have to pay him at arbitration prices.

[Rick K]

Marc, this is a great chat. Now for an obscure question. I have been reading Bob Andleman's great recap of St. Pete's decades long effort to get a Major League team, ("Stadium for Rent, Tampa Bay's Quest for Major League Baseball")

I am sure you are one of the few people here who has read the book, since you lived most of those events and were a source for the book.

My question has to do with something Andelman intimates as he discussed the movement at Major League / National League headquarters to deny the Giants move to St. Pete.

Andelman hints that there was some animosity, jealousy, or resentment from lingering memories of racist treatment (the latter on the part of Bill White, who played in St Pete during days of segregation).

I am wondering if you think that there were in fact powers inside baseball that definitely wanted to deny us a team. And do you think that sentiment is completely gone now that we have a team.

[Marc Topkin]

Nathan asked earlier about the "anemic offense,'' and it certainly is a concern. In a way, that's what make their record even more impressive is that they are 52-32 and most of their key players are having sub-pat years offensively. To me, Carlos Pena is a key. He's not going to repeat what he did last year, but if he gets hot (and he has shown a few signs) he could carry the Rays for a week or two at a time.

[Dan in NY]

Marc,
What's the story with Rocco? Why was he in the dugout last night, and how realistic is it that he will be a factor this year?

Thanks.

BTW, I lived your input on ESPN's first take yesterday.

[Aaron, Sarasota]

Is it time to move Niemann to the pen?