Rays looking for offense in Vegas
Executive VP Andrew Friedman's pre-winter meetings media session yielded some interesting tidbits as the Rays seek to defend their AL Championship. Among them:
* Their "two biggest focal points" of the offseason are improving their offense and strenghtening their bullpen.
* Though they'd like to add a regular rightfielder and a DH, Friedman said realistically they are only likely to acquire one "impact" player.
* He said they remain open to talking with their three remaining free agents - OFs Rocco Baldelli and Eric Hinske and DH Cliff Floyd, who is rehabbing a shoulder injury rather than having surgery.
* Whereas in the past the Rays were more likely to look to the trade market rather than free agency, they are now about 50-50.
* Though all of baseball seems to be affected by the economy, he said the Rays were proceeding with their plans and are trying - thus far unsuccessfully - to be aggressive in signing players.
* Though the Rays appear to have an abundance of starting pitchers, they do not feel the need to make a trade, and younger pitchers such as Jason Hammel and Jeff Niemann, who will be out of options and can't be sent to the minors, will get a chance to be in the bullpen.
* David Price is not guaranteed a spot in the opening day rotation which means he could open the season in the minors.
Also, the Rays announced plans to open the first baseball academy in Brazil.
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The Bolts? Cup Champs? Weird.
Why the heck did they cancel the NHL? Alot's happened since I got the cuffs slapped on.
Posted by: Guilty | December 07, 2008 at 05:08 PM
Don't forget the Lightning, Guilty - 2004 Stanley Cup Champs. Then they cancelled the NHL for a year and then tried to get us all back watching hockey - I'm not sure it worked.
Posted by: Larry | December 07, 2008 at 09:05 AM
The ONLY way Price should not be in the starting rotation from the beginning is that if he has a terrible spring.It should be his to lose.
Posted by: MarkFidrych | December 04, 2008 at 07:48 PM
Yeah-and a whopper is a gourmet meal compared to what they feed you in prison :)And it only costed 7 years!
So, the Yankees missed the playoffs huh?
PS. 7 years is a LONG TIME!
Posted by: Guilty | December 04, 2008 at 07:31 PM
=O
Southern Titletown USA. Sorta.
Posted by: Jon | December 04, 2008 at 07:18 PM
Wow "Guilty" .. since you were in a Whopper Jr. is only a Buck !!!
Posted by: Timjk54 | December 04, 2008 at 06:29 PM
Wow-alots changed. I got arrested during the Bucs loss to the Eagles the year before their Super Bowl win and spent the last last 7 years in prison. Now, all the Tampa teams have at least been to a championship. Looks like I missed the fun!
Posted by: Guilty | December 04, 2008 at 04:38 PM