I'm predicting 103 wins this year from the Rays and the reason why I believe this Rays team will win over 100 games is because we have upgraded the RF position over Gabe Gross and Eric Hinske with Matt Joyce and we also improved our (everyday) DH position with Pat Burrell over an aging Cliff Floyd. Our pitching rotation will be much improved with the additions of David Price over Edwin Jackson as our 5th starter in the rotation. We also have our young pitching prospects in Mitchell Talbot and Jeff Niemann who are now ready to make a splash here in 09. Longoria will be a 2nd year starter instead of a rookie who was getting a feel for the game on the fly and if you ask me, Longoria has the POTENTIAL to be an MVP type of player for this Rays team here in 09. All in all...This Rays team of 09 is much improved over the Rays team of last year, we now have the much needed playoff experience to repeat as AL East champions.
And you say that because? How was last year a mirage? What do you base that on? The funny this is...Our young talent that we have will only continue to get better and improve over the years. Any real baseball fan can see that this Rays team has something special going on and we have the pieces in place to make a run @ the AL East championship for the 2nd year in a row I've followed this franchise since day one, fans such as yourself may be in denial and feel that the Rays of last year will go back to the Rays of the past and like you said...You feel last year was a "mirage"? I've watched baseball for many of years and if anything, I think last year was the start of something special here in the Bay area. Last year was a "mirrage"? You down to put your money where your mouth is and make a sig bet? I say the Rays win the AL East... Sig bet will last for 3 months after the season ends...I'll have you rocking the whole Rays lineup :=)
Especially when they move to cities where fans will come to see them play. That will only encourage their growth. Tampa might be a nice safe place to start a career, but it's not a place to stay if you want to be a ballplayer. That's no secret, though.
Rays are still team full of crazy good young talent and depth. TBJF still annoying. "Rays have no fans hurr hurr" still boring, lay-up joke.
This thread is meaningless without starting lineups and their age. A couple you know whats? Would have helped you get your point across more effectively as well.
The Tampa Bay area is full of pretty girls having fun times @ the beach San Fran...lol...All I gotta say is this... San Fran was the PERFECT CITY for a male like Jeff Garcia :lol:....So they say
We woulld have had over 100 W's last year if not for out slump right before the allstar break and this year we will be a much improved ball club from top to bottom And arent you the "Least Knowledgeable" poster on the ganggreen? I take what you have to say with a grain of salt :lol:
Nobody in the AL East is getting 100 wins, this is the toughest division in baseball. 95 wins will win the division.
I am confident that this Rays team can win 100 games this year only because we will be much improved...I know the AL East is tough but the AL East has been tough just about every year. I just think that Kazmir, Shields, Garza and Price bring the best starting pitching rotation with each and every series they play
Wow...that took all of your concentration, didn't it. Instead, you should put a little of it into your Tampa Bay drivel.
As much as you improved, so did the rest of the east. Yankees - Healthy(Cept Roids and Pusada), much improved rotation and lineup Boston - Healthy, deep rotation Orioles - Improved rotation and lineup Toronto - Well, they still have Halladay. That's at least 15 wins this season. *shrug*
Yeah, your right...I just feel that the Rays are the most complete team from top to bottom Last year fans on THIS SITE gave the Rays no respect and NO CHANCE to win the AL East and look what happened and the funny this is, I seen a special team in the Rays last year and I just couldnt understand how fans on this site thought the Rays were the "Devil Rays" from 1998...I guess thats what happens when you dont follow a specific team because I KNEW the talent was there since spring training And again here in 09...Fans on this site cant see the Rays finishing anything better than 3rd place and thats just funny 2 me
I can easily see this being a 3 team race to the finish. So predicting the AL East at this juncture is 'neigh impossible, all 3 teams are so close to each other.
Why should anybody have given them any respect last year? What exactly had they done prior and who did they have on their team last year at the start of the season that anybody really feared?
