I need a TB Rays fans help.

[Bgrd1080]

My last franchise of the year. I want to start from this offseason. In what direction do you see TB going? Bring back Nelson Cruz and give it another go? I know they don't spend much but they also just gave the bag to Wander Franco. What's the weakness? Why do they have so much in season success and then can't seem to get over the hump? What would you like to see Tampa do?

[Caulfield]

for the record, I'm not a Rays fan, but I will act as one for thread purposes lol

In what direction do you see TB going? north, to Canada

Bring back Nelson Cruz and give it another go? yeah, I'd go one more year w/Nelson.
the designated hitter position was made for old-timers like Cruz

I know they don't spend much but they also just gave the bag to Wander Franco. can't have just one player making bank. the Rays will have to pony up for a few more players or they'll just end up being this generations Moneyball A's. lotsa publicity but no ring, no bling

What's the weakness? the Tampa/St. Pete market

Why do they have so much in season success and then can't seem to get over the hump? because the AL East ain't what she used to be. Boston can still win world championships but can't win consistently
the Yankees ain't the same w/o the Boss.
Baltimore gonna Baltimore. the Baby Jays want to win but probably haven't lived long enough to possess the wisdom to know they can't.

What would you like to see Tampa do? move to Montreal. a Jays/Rays Canadian division rivalry would be great for baseball

[OneTonneBaby]

Nelson Cruz - no. Would be surprised if Nelson is back. It was a bit of a bust of a trade as he only hit around league average for the time he was at Tampa and in the playoffs, looked well behind with his timing.

I’d like to see us sign a RH 1B to balance Choi. Someone like Luke Voit, who’s out of favour in New York but still has a lot of potential.

Lots of talk around the outfield. Pretty much expected that Kiermair moves but who will take him with his salary is anyones guess. Meadows also seems to appear in lots of trade talk. Imo he’s under rated by the fan base.

Also think we need an upgrade at third after Wendle was dealt. Diaz is prettt consistent with the bat but his defence is declining.

If I had to predict our 2022 opening day team.
C - zunino
1B - Choi/new 1B
2B - Lowe
SS - Franco
3B - Walls/Diaz/New 3B
LF - Margot
CF - Phillips
RF - Arozarena
DH - Meadows

Our problems in the post season are a combination of our best bats not showing up (see Lowe) and last year, an inexperienced pitching staff. I’d like us to add a couple more arms. We could potentially trade Glashow, who won’t be back until august earliest.

[IHateDuke32]

I really hope the Rays don’t move. Before Covid, I’d vacation down in St Pete every year and go to a few Rays games, I love it down there. I even love the Trop, which is more of a guilty pleasure of course lol

[Caulfield]

Quote: Originally Posted by IHateDuke32

I really hope the Rays don’t move. Before Covid, I’d vacation down in St Pete every year and go to a few Rays games, I love it down there. I even love the Trop, which is more of a guilty pleasure of course lol

oh, yeah, as an Orioles guy in the Show, I love playing in SDS' version of Tropicana. and I don't even feel one bit guilty about.
HOWEVER , IRL, if I said I like baseball in the Trop, I'd be guilty alright. deserving of being hung, drawn and quartered. that's the one real drawback to the Rays moving to Montreal, the stade situation would just follow them across the border. the Rays can run but they can't hide, one way or another their albatross stadium problems gonna chase 'em.

back on topic, if I were going to do a Rays season I think I'd like to see if I couldn't get David Price back for one more go 'round, for old times sake.

[Lisac]

Rays arent my Favorite Team but I do follow them as they barely spend and seem to always win-
So heres what I would do-

I wouldnt bring back Cruz
And Id see what you can get for the likes of Glasnow ,2B Lowe and C Mejia
Id also do whatever I could to dump Keirmeier as you have Margot or Josh Lowe to fill CF.
If you can dump those 3 and their payroll id go after Chapman or Olson from Oakland
Rays have alot of top Ptospects that all play the same position

And Finally, If you dont have a new Stadium deal in place by end of this yr its time to move
Whether its Montreal, Charlotte or Nashville but its time for this Stadium stuff to come to a end

[Caulfield]

I wouldn't sleep on Cruz, not IRL or the Show.
he's projected for another 30 dingers in 2022 and it seems like he's going to play another couple years, maybe average 25 homers those 2 years and you're looking at the next member of the 500 club. I'd like to see him do it in a Rays uni but with the DH coming to the NL his services might be too much for Tampa to afford
I really think the Studio ought to raise his Overall back out of the high 70's and maybe into the mid 80's