NewsInbox: Can Rays compete in AL East?
Beat reporter Bill Chastain answers Rays fans' questions
By Bill Chastain / MLB.com
11/02/09 1:02 PM EST
What will it take to compete against the massive payroll we are constantly up against year after year?-- Rick W., Gulfport, Fla.
Under the current system that prevails in Major League Baseball, that's just life in the American League East. I believe the way the Rays are trying to compete is the right way, which is to grow their own players and take care of the ones they want to keep with a focus on pitching. As long as an organization has pitching, it can always shore up other areas of need through trades, since pitching is the most valued commodity in baseball. Based on where the Rays are right now, I think they can remain competitive for the next several years.
What happened to James Shields this year? Does he have an injury and will he bounce back next year? Will Jeff Niemann be even better in 2010 or can we expect him to regress?
-- James S., Toronto
First, Shields went up against the other team's No. 1 starter for most of the season. Normally, after the start of the season, the pitching matchups begin to fall out of sync, but it seemed like Shields faced the other team's top pitcher in most of his starts. What this translates to is a fewer number of runs in the way of run support. He gave the team a career-high 219 2/3 innings, surpassing the 200 innings mark for the third consecutive year, and he always gives the Rays a chance to win. In my opinion, Shields is just fine. As for Niemann, based on the confidence he seemed to gain throughout the season, I believe Rays fans can expect the same or better from the right-hander in 2011.
Why is everyone so concerned about the Rays finding a closer? I believe that they already have a closer. His name is ... David Price. Like I said last year, Price seems to be best suited for the closer role. There aren't many left-handed closers and Price will do work! Or if this isn't an option, what about J.P. Howell?
-- Stephen M., Scotts Valley, Calif.
I agree with you that Price would be a great closer. But I think most anyone in the Rays' starting rotation would be nasty in relief. Alas, the most difficult pitching proposition in the Major Leagues is being a top-notch starter. Price appears to be the real deal and is headed toward becoming a top-of-the-rotation starter. So even though Price has the makeup and stuff to be a closer, I don't look for the Rays to move him into that role any time soon. As for Howell, I don't believe anybody -- including the Rays -- would be disappointed to see him serve as the team's closer in 2010. And I still believe Grant Balfour has what it takes to close.
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Is there any chance that B.J. Upton will get traded and the Rays will give Desmond Jennings a chance to earn the job in center? I think Upton has given the fans reasons to doubt his desire to play, and after watching Jennings in Montgomery this past season, I think he couldn't do any worse at the plate.
-- Nyr C., Montgmery, Ala.
Jennings appears to be a top prospect, but there is a huge gap between being a top prospect and a quality Major League player. Upton did not produce offensively in 2009 like a lot of people expected he would, but let's not forget he did have shoulder surgery last fall. And I would put him up against any other center fielder in baseball defensively. While I understand there are times when Upton appears not to sprint to first base on ground balls, I also believe he is cursed with ease. He has such an easy way of doing things that he sometimes appears nonchalant when he's really getting after it. I expect Upton to have a big year in 2010.
Not to sound too arrogant, but I was not surprised that Pat Burrell performed below expectations. However I do wonder if he can be the kind of batter to help other hitters in the lineup. Carlos Pena and Even Longoria started off the year extremely hot and it seems their stats started to drop off when Burrell went on the disabled list. Do you think that next year Burrell could still be the kind of hitter who can help the batters before him in the lineup see better pitches and boost their performances?
-- Joshua S., St. Petersburg
I'll agree with you -- I was surprised by Burrell's season, too. It's unusual for an offensive player's production to fall as far from a normal year as his did in 2009. Several factors contributed to the fall. He fought a neck injury early in the season, which hit him right when he seemed to be heating up; he was used as a DH exclusively for the first time in his career; and he had to adjust to being in a new league, which calls for more adjustments than meets the eye -- particularly when traveling to new cities. I'll be surprised if he doesn't bounce back in 2010. If that happens, he'll be the kind of hitter that protects the other hitters in the order. But there are times when players reach the end of their careers, too. I think it will be interesting to see how his performance shakes out early in 2010.
Is it possible that the Rays and Carl Crawford will come to terms on an extension or will 2010 likely be his last season with the Rays? If it is, is it likely he'll be traded?
-- Jeremy O., Riverside, Fla.
I think Crawford and the Rays need to decide what's best for both. There are a lot of teams that would love to have Crawford patrolling left field for them and they would likely pony up some big bucks via free agency if that's what happens. Obviously, the Rays would love to keep him since he's the face of the team. Not only has he been a great player on the field, but he's been a great player off the field, too. If the Rays are to keep him after 2010, I believe they will structure some kind of long-term deal that will work for both parties. Ultimately, I think it will come down to whether Crawford really wants to remain with the Rays or if he wants to test his value on the free-agent market. If the Rays get the feeling they won't be able to sign him, I would look for a trade to happen.
Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
