Singabull's Rays Rants

[Singabull]

So you're ok with a starting pitcher (some might call an ace  : ) not making it to the 6th inning on a consistent basis?  Face it, having a low era is great but be a GREAT STARTING PITCHER is staying in the game through the 7th inning on a consistent basis.

Sigh.  Kazmir is 24 years old.  Most 24 year old pitchers are still in the minors. No one said he's a GREAT pitcher, yet.  What he is, is a top of the rotation starter for the first place team in the toughest division in baseball.  And he's darn good at it.  He'd be the #1 or 2 starter on any team in MLB. 

If he keeps progressing and stays healthy, he has a good chance to develop into a Hall of Fame pitcher.  I'm sorry that's not good enough for you.

It isn't worth reasoning with them data, dwo, and singa, really lack any real baseball acumen.  Became Rays fans instantly and pretend to know the game and how to manage it.  I fell in love with the Lightning when they went on their Stanley Cup run.  I don't know hockey at all ,and never purported to have a clue about what should and shouldn't be done.

Kazmir is finally being 'correctly' managed like any organization would properly manage their young ace arms.  Like data said most kids of Kazmir's caliber would have still been in the minors, but when we selected him early we called him up and kept him up.  He was 21-22 and working through kinks, added hitches to his motion and actually logged solid innings in his first two years with the Rays, although the injuries and hitches kept him from being consistent. 

The plan has been to re-develop him because everyone in the organization agrees he has the skills- 4 dominant pitches, low to mid 90's FB with serious movement, the right mental make up, and toughness, but they need to stop willy nilly him as a starter like they drug him along early in his career.  At the old rate Kazmir was destine to have severe arm surgery or get wore down by his late 20's.

They could let him go  7-9 innings if they wanted too, sure his ERA would probably be 50 to 100 bases points higher, but why?  It isn't like when they're yanking him he's getting rocked for 5-6 innings in the previous inning, ala Edwin Jackson...it's usually once his pitch count gets above 110-120.  They've agreed in the past he is capable of going 140-150 if necessary BUT WHY?  We've got a solid bullpen now, they're usually pulling him with a lead, and it's allowing to preserve and build-up his arm for the future.

You want to crack and say the kid can't go more than 6, that's silly stuff, and you both know it. 

That sounds reasonable.  BUT, I'm concerned about kaz because as a young pitcher, he's not getting better.  You see shields, garza, jackson, sonnanstine, howell, and balfour...all young pitchers...getting better and better.  But kazmir is not progressing.  He might be young but he he's not a rookie anymore, he has experience and "should" be getting better.  And you see him pitch a gem like once every 7 starts.  His control is not getting better and all of a sudden, he can't throw the slider.

[Bullpride08]

whoa, singabull makes some sense.  It will happen soon enough, but they're waiting for Baldelli to be ready.

[Singabull]

wheeler, balfour, and howell are three pitchers that can pitch 7,8,9 in any order or combination.  Putting percival out there makes what shields and everyone does go to waste.

Do you know what  the definiton of a "save" is .... and how many Percy has this year?

Sure I do, and how many of those saves are with a 2 or 3 run lead?  Percival comes in with a 2 run lead and gives up a homer and everyone forgets about it because the rays still win.  But he comes in today with a 1 run lead and first pitch, leaves it high over the plate and it gets taken deep.  percival is ok to come in with a big lead but he gives up too many runs to be a solid closer.

[Singabull]

whoa, singabull makes some sense.  It will happen soon enough, but they're waiting for Baldelli to be ready.

There's got to be at least 3 outfielders in the minors that are better than gomes, especially ruggiano. 

[Matt]

they cannot just outright send him to the minors.  he would have to clear waivers.  and believe it or not, gomes will not clear waivers.

[mulheap]

gomes still has 1 option left.  they can send him down

[BullMedic]

A .197 batting average is not cutting it whatsoever. When Bartlett is a better hitter  :-\

[BullMedic]

wheeler, balfour, and howell are three pitchers that can pitch 7,8,9 in any order or combination.  Putting percival out there makes what shields and everyone does go to waste.

Do you know what  the definiton of a "save" is .... and how many Percy has this year?

I just heard that Percy is 24/27 for save attempts, and his 3 blown saves the Rays still won the game.

[Matt]

on a side note...hopefully bartlett doesnt have to go back to the DL after breaking that finger nail today.  and, yes, i am being serious.

breaking a nail sounds trivial but when it is your index finger on your throwing hand it could be a problem with the throws.  i doubt he goes on the DL but he will probably miss 2 games until a scab forms and the swelling goes down

[Matt]

gomes still has 1 option left.  they can send him down

he has had 3 straight years of major league service...i dont think he can go down without clearing waivers.