Power Pros Forum

June 30th, 2008

News Paper Headline Thing

Looking to end the month on a high note, Andy Sonnanstine and the Rays went up against Tim Wakefield and the Red Sox at Tampa.
Sonnanstine performed very well along with the offensive providing a big boost. Zobrist smacked a 2-run home run in the 3rd inning. Hinske contributed with
a pinch hit 2-run home run then followed by Bartlett's solo shot right after. Upton joined in on the slug fest and mashed his 25th of the year in the 8th inning.
Al Reyes was lights out when called to enter the game. Inducing 10 swing and misses with a change-up he had full command of.

July 8th, 2008

News Paper Headline Thing

The Rays fell to the Yankees in a nice chess match. Garza pitched very well to the highest powered offense of this season quieting them to only 3 runs - who average around 6.1 runs per game.
Mussina fell short of a win when BJ Upton tied the game with a solo shot in the 8th inning. A-Rod quickly patched the situation by sending a mammoth home run in the bottom of the 8th to give the Yankees the lead again.
Iwamura attempted to make things interesting in the top of the 9th by getting a lead-off single but Mariano shut the door ending the game.

The Rays are 1-10 against the Yankees this season; if they're looking for a division title, being 6 games back might not be achievable if that W/L trend continues.

July 18th, 2008

News Paper Headline Thing

Before the game, Evan Longoria was finally reinstated from the IL and JP Howell was sent down to AAA. Longo was reportedly working on his launch
angle during his rehab assignment and has gained "Power Hitter". Longo will also ride the bench for his first game back as everyone in the lineup has been producing well.

In other news, the Rays have removed Troy Percival from the closer role as his ERA has ballooned up to 4.38. Andrew Miller now takes over as the closer for a simple swap of their
2 roles.


July 19th, 2008

News Paper Headline Thing

James Shields and AJ Burnett faced each other in an excellent pitcher's duel. The Rays gained the lead early in the game as the top of the order managed to score 2 runs on Burnett.
After the 1st, each starter was mowing down the opposing batters as Shields racked up 10 k's, and Burnett sporting 11 of his own. A. Miller recorded his first save since becoming
the closer of the team (7 with the Marlins); the win now puts the Rays at a tie for 2nd place in the division with the Blue Jays.

July 21st, 2008

News Paper Headline Thing

BREAKING: The Rays and Cardinals have agreed on a blockbuster trade.

Cliff Floyd..................................Adam Wainwright
Matt Garza..............for...............Yaider Molina
Jason Bartlett............................Mark Mulder
(5000 cash to the Cards)

The Cardinals (52-46) recently traded for AJ Pierzynski which gives them 4 catchers on their roster. The Cardinals also have one of the best defensive short stops (Bartlett)
for a few years now - along with hitting around average - as they were in desperate need of that position. The Cardinals were also in need for a corner outfielder which Floyd now covers.
This move for the Cardinals seems like more of a quick reload as they now can build up a stronger team for the remainder of Pujols' prime.

The Rays agreed to take the salary dump of Mulder as it seems that the Cardinals want to give out new extensions within the next few months. Mulder is also out
for the remainder of the season (rotator cuff) so the Rays pretty much have no plans for him. Molina and Waino are both
locked up for 3 more years which gives the Rays a larger window. The Rays also agreed to send 5000 cash in order to help persuade this trade.

(The 5000 wasn't even needed for the trade to be 5-stars. I thought this would help make it more even)


Roster Moves:

Navarro -> AAA
Mulder -> AAA
Cueto -> MLB, starting rotation
Wainwight -> MLB, starting rotation
Gross -> MLB, bench role
Sonnanstine -> Long relief role


Rays Payroll- 72035 (80000 limit)

Trades completed/remaining - 3/0

Woah. You absolutely fleeced them.

hmmmmstve, yeah i'll break my rules and i'll trade yadi back

deed is done. i traded yadi back to the cardinals for 3000 cash. didnt play yadi at all, was in AAA so Navarro is back with the MLB roster

July 26th, 2008

News Paper Headline Thing

The Rays and Royals duked it out for 13 innings until Joey Votto's solo shot broke the 6 inning-long tie. Greinke was arguably the better pitcher but his offense had no show for
that performance. Iwamura had the first RBI of the game way back in the 4th inning and almost became the hero in the 12th inning, but instead grounded out with the bases loaded.
After Votto's HR, the Rays added 2 more insurance runs to solidify their lead. Both teams managed to average more than 1 hit per inning but the pitchers managed to control any
scoring break out (besides the 13th inning) that would show from those percentages (WHIP > 1.00).

August 3rd, 2008

News Paper Headline Thing

The Rays fell to the Tigers losing 7-2. The Rays' bullpen imploded in the 7th inning giving up 5 runs (+1, if including James' HR-allowed).
Sonnanstine was finally able to quiet the storm but it was a little too late and the Tiger's bullpen managed to hone down the Rays' bats. James'
only blemishes came towards the end of his outing when the Tiger's managed to put a runner on, followed by a wild pitch, then followed by a RBI base knock.
The inning after, Miggy smoked one into the left field bleachers which tied the game.

Kazmir’s getting a huge contract this offseason.

Also, .571 BABIP for the Tigers, yikes.

yeah im gonna try to make contracts more realistic, rather than it just being like
390->400->410->420->430->etc.

makes the payroll cap more intrigue

August 10th, 2008

News Paper Headline Thing

Similar to the last game that we reported, this time the Rays made the Mariners' bullpen implode. Bedard was tossing a magnificent 8 innings until he was pulled
due to pitch count reasons. The M's bullpen wasn't able to keep up the same performance as the Rays plated 5 runs in the top of the 9th inning.
Before this, Troy Percival came in the 8th inning when the Rays were up 2-1 and failed to record a single out as Al Reyes had to come in to clean up the mess; while still
allowing 1 run to tie the game. Percival's leash on late inning/high leverage duties continues to shrink, as the 38 y/o was kicked out from the closer role in mid July.

Zobrist is raking this yr. Pretty sure he's unimpressed u drafted his future replacement at shortstop in first round

there'll be plenty of room for them in this infield (or utility land) for the both of them methinks

Jag I need Votto as a replacement for Floyd.