As for the rosters, what do you think? Which 25 players should Rays management go with to get the team to the World Series? I think most of the questions probably center around 2 areas, those that were injured recently (Crawford, Percy, etc.) and pitching. Remember, they can submit a new 25 man roster for the Division Series.
Here are my thoughts...
Infielders / Outfielders / DH (13 Players)
- Dioner Navarro - A given, an all-star this season and had the team's highest batting average.
- Carlos Pena - Monster comeback after his injury. After coming off the DL on June 27th, he's hitting .261 with 11 HR and 67 RBI's.
- Akinori Iwamura - Steady the whole season in the field and at bat.
- Jason Bartlett - He has quietly gotten his average up to .286 and contributes with the glove and some spead on the bases with 20 SB.
- Evan Longoria - What more can I say, the AL Rookie of the Year.
- Willie Aybar - He can play almost any position on the field. Solid reserve.
- B.J. Upton - He's back from his injury and I think the mid-season attitude problems are no more.
- Carl Crawford - He's taken BP two days in a row and is making his case for the postseason. Bottom line - if he can play, he should be there. He has been the face of the franchise for years and deserves the spot. Take a look at this article from today.
- Michel Hernandez / Shawn Riggans - If Riggans is off the DL, we go with him, otherwise Hernandez is an okay right handed bat, you have to have a backup catcher for Navarro.
- Gabe Gross - this guy is clutch. He may be the starting right fielder next season and has been great in a platoon role this season.
- Cliff Floyd - Provides a veteran presence the team needs in the 1st postseason for many players.
- Fernando Perez - this guy can flat out fly on the basepaths. Plus, he seems to have a little pop from the right side which this team desparately needs.
- Rocco Baldelli - Baldelli gets this spot over Hinske. Call me crazy on this, but before today, Hinske hadn't hit a homerun since August 18th, that's over a month. Also, I don't think it's a coincidence that Maddon played Baldelli in the last three games in a row in Detroit. With a few days to recover, he should be ready to contribute in the playoffs.
- James Shields - All year long, probably the most consistent starting pitcher on the team
- Scott Kazmir - Something just doesn't look right with Scotty, would you agree? However, he can have electric stuff. I think he needs to get back to his slider more and then work guys up the ladder and sit 'em down.
- Matt Garza - That trade before the season when we sent Delmon Young to Minnesota for Garza and Bartlett looks pretty good doesn't it? Garza seems to have the right makeup for the postseason.
- Andy Sonnanstine - It comes down to Sonnanstine and Jackson for the final starting spot if Maddon chooses a 4 man rotation. A coin flip if you ask me. Jackson probably has the best stuff on the staff and did win 14 games. I was at a game last week when he pitched into the 8th inning and had three consecutive pitches 96, 97 and 98 mph. Sonnanstine seems as if he was pitching all season with smoke and mirrors, but he did get 13 wins. What do you think?
- Edwin Jackson - See above note on Sonnanstine, one of these is a starter and one is in the bullpen.
- Grant Balfour - 1.54 ERA and 12.7 K's per 9 innings. Get's the ball and just throws hard.
- J.P. Howell - 6-1 record and 2.22 ERA. Kept us in lots of games this season.
- Dan Wheeler - Great job in the closer role when Percy went down.
- Trever Miller - Consistent middle to long reliever.
- Chad Bradford - Great mid-season pickup, with that submarine delivery, he can come in and get some important outs to get to the later innings.
- David Price - Sure, he has no MLB postseason experience. Heck, he barely has any MLB experience at all. Yes, he is the number one prospect in the whole organization. And, finally, mark my words, Yes - he will exit this postseason in much the same way Francisco Rodriguez did in 2002 when the Angels won the world series and K-Rod became a huge success.
- Troy Percival - This is a tough one. He basically willed the team to wins early in the season. But the leg injuries have hurt his velocity. Maybe he gets a chance to pitch in the final game of one of the playoff series and makes a heroic exit from the game. I'm kind of sentimental on this, but if it wasn't for him, we may not be here. His last three outings, each for 1 inning, he hasn't allowed any earned runs.
Other than Hinske, the only other position player who maybe could maybe play a big role is Zobrist. I actually feel bad for the guy. I think he was called up at least 4 seprate times this season. As for pitchers, a 12 man staff looks pretty good, but if we went with one more pitcher, then maybe Jason Hammel or Jeff Niemann? Then, you have to drop a position player, possibly Fernandez or Baldelli. Also, if Crawford cannot go in the 1st series, you probably do add the extra pitcher. Another absence, Jonny Gomes. I wish we could have a slot on the team like they do in hockey for the resident goon. The guy you want on your side if there's a brawl. Jonny would be that guy. However, when you look at his batting average (if you can find it, it's only .182), there really isn't a spot for him.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments.
Tomorrow we will talk about the pitching rotation.
Go Rays!
- Steve
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