JAN
20
MLB Hot Stove: Tampa Bay Rays
Posted January 20th ago via ArmchairGM
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Where Are They Coming From The Tampa Bay Devil Rays became a Major League team in 1998. Since then, the team has averaged a shade above 60 wins a season. The Rays are just one of four teams to never make it to the World Series (Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, and the Washington Nationals). The team has placed last in the American League East every year except for 2004 when they finished fourth in the division with 70 wins (3.5 games ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays). The 2007 season was no different, finishing the year at 66-76. When you consider that in their nine years, they have had seven Top 10 picks, six of which were Top 3 picks. The team has drafted the likes of Josh Hamilton (TEX), Delmon Young (MIN), B.J. Upton (TB), Rocco Baldelli (TB), and 3B Evan Longoria. With these names, you would think that this team would be far better off than they are today. Both Hamilton and Young are no longer with the team. The 2007 team had to endure injuries to 3B Akinori Iwamura, the oft-injured CF Rocco Baldelli, INF/OF B.J. Upton, Closer Al Reyes, and promising young SS Ben Zobrist. However, this was not the biggest reason for their poor showing but it may have been the difference between another last place finish and fifth (Baltimore had only 3 more wins). There were some very bright spots on the 2007 roster that were worth investing some time with, starting with B.J. Upton. Upton seems to have finally arrived, batting an impressive .300 batting average, 24 homeruns, 22 stolen bases, and an impressive 80-80 runs/runs batted in on a terrible offensive team. Both Scott Kazmir and James Shields were able to win 13 and 12 games, respectively. These two young pitchers combined for 423 strikeouts with over 421 innings pitched. Although Shields only surrendered 36 walks, Kazmir continued to run up the walk totals, netting 89. Least we forget the young OF Delmon Young. Delmon's rookie year was not as hot as his temper, but it was enough to garner looks from around the leag...

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