Thanks for being patient, dear readers. Here’s part two of the piece we started yesterday. The Infield As we noted before (http://tampabayrays.co/?p=5410), the addition of Kelly Johnson tends to stabilize things a bit, giving Joe Maddon more flexibility with his lineup by allowing Ben Zobrist the opportunity to play in right-field regularly. I’d expect Kelly …
Continue reading “Of Spring Training and Other Random Bits of Ephemera (Part Two)”
The news broke Monday that Tampa Bay signed former Blue Jays infielder Kelly Johnson to a one year contract. The terms of the contract have not been released. The 30 year-old infielder posted a .225 BA/.313 OBP/.365 SLG/.678 OPS slash-line with 16 homers in 581 plate appearances for the Blue Jays in 2012. His biggest year …
Marc Topkin noted that the Rays, “Still need a DH. Maybe another outfielder. Conceivably both,” and “The DH spot is wide open, and a free agent seems likely, though the money, of course, will be a factor as the payroll is already in the $55 million range (plus incentives) and thus unlikely to go much higher.” …
Continue reading “Hot-Stove: Of Slim Pickings in the DH/OF Market”
Perhaps you were one of the 19,545 paid attendees at last night’s Rays vs. Rangers game. Maybe you watched it in the comforts of your living room. Whatever the case may be, shame on you if you didn’t see Ben Zobrist provide the offensive oomph to end the game; a two run blast to right. …
The Rays are in seventh heaven? Yeah, that sounds cheesy. Regardless, Tampa Bay is now on a seven game winning streak following an almost flawless start by Alex Cobb who, as Orestes Destrade calls it, had a super quality outing. Posting a 7 IP/4 H/1 ER/2 BB/5 K line, Cobb threw 91 pitches (59 for strikes) …
