Rays of aimlessness

by John Fontana on Mar 15, 2007 3:04 PM EDT

1-13 and manager Joe Maddon doesn't see a problem.

1-13 and Maddon is shooting for the Rays off day and how the team responds to it and plays after it...

"I'm looking around March 20, the day after the off day, I really want to see us turning this thing around," he said. "We'll be playing mostly a solid, set lineup and at that point I want to see things starting to change. ... That's the moment I want to see us play our in-season kind of game."

1-13 and Maddon's keeping an even keel while the team lacks leadership. They are looking for it from within and I don't think they will find it. With a team of cast offs and prospects who have never been there (anywhere over 70 wins), the leadership they seek isn't part of the Rays franchise right now... Unless you count Fred McGriff who has a coaching job with the franchise.

You can see the Rays as potential dark horses in the AL East with their young talent (Rocco Baldelli, Carl Crawford, pre-season ROY favorite Delmon Young, Scott Kazmir). The core is promising on this team but it's disenchanting that the Rays have not rounded out this crew with a veteran leader or two on the bench or in the bullpen with "been there" experience to help the young guys along.

1-13 this spring... Of course, the games don't count but when they start counting, what's going to happen? Will the Rays put Maddon out to pasture if his Zen managerial style continues to not accomplish anything?

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It looks like a rough season for the Rays in 2007, whether you focus on the present coaching staff or lack of a strong veteran presence on the bench.

On the bright side, I am going to the Bolts game against the Caps at Verizon Center today. Good hockey weather, in the 40’s and sunny, but I miss my warms breezy days in Tampa Bay back in my old USF days….

The Washington Post says that Brian Sutherby will not play today because of an injury sustained in the Caps 5-1 win over the Bruins. I expect the Bolts to bounce back today with 2 points for the win. Its getting too close for comfort in the Eastern Conference right now:

Tampa Bay……82 points (6th place)
Carolina…….80 points (7th place)
NY Rangers…..79 points (8th place)
Montreal…….78 points (too darn close)
NY Islanders…78 points (too darn close)
Toronto……..78 points (too darn close)

by Bolts1df on Mar 18, 2007 9:40 AM EDT reply actions

You can’t manage a AAA roster into a major league roster. Joe Maddon is cashing a check, like the rest of the tampa bay ray’s. Have to spend a little more on the pitching staff. Chuck Lamar did manage to steal Kazmir, One starter down. Seo can be decent. Not sure what to expect from the rest. It will always be a challenge to win in the A.L East, but you have to try a little or why own a team. Have to give sternberg another year to show his true colors, but right now he is making a nice profit and putting a AAA roster, (other than a couple of guys) aganist big league talent.

by adam on Mar 18, 2007 2:03 PM EDT reply actions