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Results tagged ' Alex Torres '
Torres First to Don IsoBlox Cap in a M L B Game
It is a sound and a quickly approaching spinning blur that every pitcher know will happen at some point in their careers. Sure the ball might have been traveling to the plate at over 90 mph, but as bat meets ball the return boomerang of the white sphere can reach easily into the triple speed digits.At those moment the 60 feet 60 inches from plate to mound can be traveled before the blink of an eye. At that moment an extra inch of protection can be the difference between being a future part of the game or experiencing a career defining moment.
Reaction times are critical and even the most inopportune blink or body movement can be the difference between being tattooed with a Rawlings stitch line, missed completely, or crumble to the turf in a heap. Tampa Bay Rays fans knew this feeling well back in 2013 as they witnessed firsthand Toronto Blue Jays starter J. A. Happ then Rays hurler Alex Cobb take pitches back through the box to their head regions.
Over the last several years there has been an increase in batted balls vent on human destruction coming back through the pitcher's mound area with speeds in excess of 100 mph. Doesn't matter if you threw a curve, change-up or even an high and inside fastball…..If it was your time, your next move was critical.M L B consulted a few manufacturers to devise and invent a protective cap that could or at least would eliminate some of that explosive interaction of ball meeting noggin, and selected IsoBlox's version for distribution around 2014 M L B spring training camps.
I wrote a post how the new caps were AWOL on the head of members of the Rays starting or relief corps this spring, but someone with at least a former lineage to the Rays has been the first to wear the modified "Charlie Brown" front crown and brimmed cap to a M L B mound.
Torres might be the first to sport the cap as a possible new piece of M L B pitching attire, but I doubt he will be the last. And some time has expired since Torres had his own head injury scare this past spring on a ball batted back through the middle.
Torres did quickly or automatically order a protective cap after that incident, but decided his health was first and foremost and ordered the cap last month and IsoBlox had it in his locker within a week's time.
I mean I knew former Ray, now San Diego Padres reliever Alex Torres was a smart guy, but possibly his action of wearing the cap to the hill in Saturday night's match-up against the Los Angeles Dodgers might just be the motion needed for other pitchers, both starters and relievers to possibly don the new cap for themselves possibly later in the 2014 season.
Sure the cap seems a bit bulky and possibly cumbersome on first glance, but what that overshadows is the extra element of safety it might create especially for a leftie who leans down through his delivery and has his head exposed towards the plate before coming back into a more upright position.
I could see the rest of the M L B hurlers not even thinking of wearing this style cap if they had to thrust into their own pockets for this extra padded brim, but IsoBlox has made the cap FREE to the M L B and believe me, Torres seemed to be not only smart enough, but possibly has the bulk of the new caps sporting the Padres logo at his disposal.
Torres added post-game, "It doesn't feel bad. The difference between the regular cap and this cap is not really that big."
And Torres after the game did share that he did have a few quips and possible giggles directed his way from teammates as to his odd-shaped mound attire, but Torres might end up having the last laugh as he will now be a lifetime baseball trivia answer for taking the first steps to don the front-heavy head gear.
But Torres was also eloquent enough following Saturday night's game to the possible safe results of the cap as well as it's perfect price point.
"It could save our lives if someone hits a ball to your head. I get it for free, so I'm just gonna use it to see how it feels."
People always talk about players being pioneers, doing something incredible during a game that will be remembered for eons. Will baseball history remember, or celebrate the fact Torres embraced the protective cap and proudly wore it on his head when he strolled to the mound in the top of the 8th inning in front of 43,474 fans seated in Petco Park Saturday night?
Torres threw 25 pitches during his appearance against the Dodgers and not once did ball meet cap, or cap meet turf.
I applaud Torre' effort for not only being the first to don the new protective cap, but for being the first to experience it under an actual M L B game time situation. Hopefully because of what Torres did a few other bulky "Charlie Brown" caps with other M L B team logos will make their own game day appearances.
I tip my non-bulky cap to Torres for leading the way with an IsoBlox cap upon his head.
"We Want Mike Morse"
" ._ _ . ._ _ . _ _ . _ _ _ . . _ . _ . _ _ _ _ _ . _ . . . . ."
To most people the above crypt ed type is a by-gone era relic of communication mostly done between long distance communicators or ships at sea. But to me it seems like a fitting code to use when the Tampa Bay Rays might be seeking out another body, and one who could take on multiple player duties while being a member of the Rays roster.
Maybe it is more than fitting that I tried to throw out a makeshift code of "We Want Mike Morse" in the above telegraph possibly showing at least one member of the Rays Republic's adamant desire that the Rays go out ad get this desired First Base/DH and most of all, right handed hitting option.
Possibly it is an omen today that temps in the Tampa Bay region are hitting the Spring and Summer averages showing maybe even a higher power wanting this deal to go to fruition. But the total reality today is that the Washington Nationals since they signed their desired 1B Adam LaRoche to the dotted line, Morse might be a few dashes or dots away from finding a new vista to call home, and since Morse code is associated with water…..possibly ending up on a team who's own hometown is surrounded on 3- sides by water.
Some might ponder the idea that since Morse is in his "walk" season before he hits free agency for the first time a trade for him might not be in the Rays best interest, but if you dig beyond the surface and truly see the stats for what they are…Morse could be just the right fit for Rays Manager Joe Maddon's sometimes maddening system of plug-and-go lineup shifting roles and reversing logic to find wins, key hits and much needed runs.
Morse's 3-season line of .296/.345/.516 might not just out on the page at you, but it is clearly a huge upgrade to the 2012 Carlos Pena debacle and combined with already in-house option James Loney, the "Maddoning" lineup possibilities and positioning is simply boggling with right and left handed options possibly being inter-changed at First and DH with the addition of Morse.
If you really think about it, if the Rays did trade for Morse who is set to make $ 6.75 million this season, you get twice the bag (and less K's) for the slightly over $ 250,000 the money the Rays paid Pena in 2012 to mostly tap his cap on Home Runs and be the returning smiling face. It might surprise you that Morse had over 5 years of MLB service time split with 2 seasons each with the Seattle Mariners and Nats, but making Morse and even bigger prize for the Rays is another small bit of flexibility that Maddon enjoys even more.
Morse can also play other spots in the infield besides 1st (SS, 3B) as well as possibly a corner outfield position. With Desmond Jennings making a slight shift left in 2013 to post up at B J Upton's old haunt, Centerfield, Morse could play right into Maddon's always mind-bending game of match-up and situational defense possibly finally securing Ben Zobrist for mostly infield and outfield duties from time to time.
Instantly some of the cautious Rays Republic followers will bring up the pure fact in 2012 Morse only hit out 18 Rawlings while in 2011 he hit a career high 31 orbs into the cheap seats.
But even as you would notice Morse had a dip in his offensive numbers in 2012, he was also playing throughout the season with more than 1 nagging injury and still put together a season that showed his commitment to the game, confidence in his abilities and provided a added power option for the Nats.
That in a nut shell is the type of guy the Rays need. He fits the Maddon profile of being able to post up at various positions, plus has been in the post season race, plus played in a highly competitive NL East division that yearly produces enough stress and pressure to crumble a tea kettle. The dashes and dots all point to Morse as being the kind of player who will transcend under Maddon. But you have to ask if the Rays have the personnel to pull off such a heist. Why yes they do!
Considering the Nats lost out on former Rays RP J P Howell, maybe Friedman could patchwork up a nice package with a centerpiece of Southpaws Cesar Ramos or Alex Torres as viable Bullpen options. Torres has limited relief appearances, but his 2012 chances showed he might have a better calling in the MLB as a relief option than as a starter. Ramos we already know has the goods to be a consistent reliever and would be a valuable piece of the Rays Bullpen puzzle to lose, but if it bring a hint of better offensive presence….I'd jump on it and ride it until it dies.
Combine either of these leftie options, or possibly send a piece like OF Brandon Guyer or maybe even someone in the minors who is a few years away from MLB ready and if you are Washington you get a need filled, a extra bit of outfield security and a player developing in the wings to fill a future need, possibly in the infield.
Now this is not to convey the Rays will even take a gander at Morse with more than the usual Friedman cell call to ponder, wonder and suggest ad lib, but with camps beginning to open in just over 35 days, things concerning Morse might just hit a fast and furious pace as five other MLB squads also seek their own "Morse code" answer for 2013. I am expecting to hear a lot of dots and dashes over the next few days with hopefully Friedman finding the right combo and most conducive package to net the Rays Morse's talents for 2013.
Maybe I need to do it 1 more time for clarity: " ._ _ . ._ _ . _ _ . _ _ _ . . _ . _ . _ _ _ _ _ . _ . . . . ."
There Are No "Losers" in This Rays Trade
I kind of expected the starting pitching market to go ballistic after that certain right-hander who hates Tropicana Field became the newest millionaire in Tinseltown. What kind of got me scratching my head a bit was the Kansas City Royals were willing to trade uber prospect and 2012 Minor League Player of the Year Wil Meyer straight up for Rays SP James Shields, but the Rays shuddered and turn that deal down without hesitation.
Starting to see a weird pattern forming for the Rays that they seem to finalize their deals right before the "Witching Hour". Sure it has only been two times recently, but patterns seem to start that way. In the end the deal actually benefits both teams, one immediately and the other with possibly one piece playing a role in 2013, and a few others possibly a bit down the road. Sure the Royals got two definite pieces that could be immediately popped into their 2013 rotation in Shields and Wade Davis, and depending on who is the invisible "Player to be Named Later" who will come from the Rays current 40-man roster, they could get an additional piece to their 2013 25-man Opening Day roster.
We all knew this was coming, Shields has been as hot a commodity as any pitcher with his 2 years with a Club Option before he hits the Free Agent market for the first time in his career. This cleared a huge chunk of change for the Rays, possibly to be used to find a top-tier DH or right-handed First Baseman. Without knowing the identity of the PTBNL at this moment, the Rays Executive VP of Baseball Ops Andrew Friedman got a nice holiday nest egg of around $13+ million dollars to possibly entice and persuade a power addition to the team's roster before Spring Training. Shields even tossed out as nice little nugget that he would be willing to look into a contract extension possibly giving the Royals some additional years of "Big Game" on the hill for the Royals.
I currently do not understand how some of the Royals fans come to the conclusion the KC squad got the raw end of this deal. Sure they will have to pony up that $13 million, but they got two key components who can anchor spots in their rotation for 2 seasons as their own youngsters get more experience and training at the minor league level without subjecting them to the rigors and fast learning curve of MLB life.
I personal feeling is the PTBNL is going to either come from the Rays over stacked catching or infield slot currently on their 40-man roster. If I had to make an educated guess as to who this might be, I'm picking SS Reid Brignac who will be out of minor league option after the Spring of 2013, and with the added depth on the Rays roster of recent trade pick-up SS Yunel Escobar, the addition of veteran INF Mike Fontenot, Sean Rodriguez and the potential tag-team 2B duo of Ryan Roberts and Ben Zobrist, Reid seems to be the current odd-man out even with a banging Spring.
The citizen of Royals-ville forget this trade actually make a few clever openings in the Rays rotation that could be filled from the pool of players like veteran Jeff Niemann, Alex Cobb and possibly Chris Archer. It instantly rids the Rays of two starters and possibly an extra body in either the overcrowded catching corps or middle infield. This by itself is a clear "win-win" for the Rays front office to send two players with "team friendly" contracts to another team and clear a huge amount of payroll that can be allocated for current huge holes in the Rays offensive machine.
And do not forget the Rays got Baseball America's 2012 Minor League Player of the Year OF Wil Meyers who turns 22 today (12/10). How soon we forget about former Rays who won this award like Carl Crawford (1999) or Rocco Baldelli (2000) who made quite a good impression at the MLB level for the Rays. Another tempting nugget to chew on is the fact Meyers is now the first player ever to win the Minor League Player of the Year award and was traded before he even made his MLB debut with his old squad.
Getting a player like Meyer who is still developing was a huge thing for the Rays as their yearly payroll stifles their creative juices to the point they have to make trades like this to get viable and young talent under their control for years to come. Now I hope Rays fans do not get too anxious and think Meyers will start the season with the Rays. Reality is the team will possibly use some of their farm system pieces with minor league options to fill in until the team can bring up Meyers without having to award him a year of MLB service time. Still, if injuries in the outfield hit the Rays early, Meyers could be in the Trop by late May, early June at the earliest.
Sure the addition of prospect hurlers RHP Jake Odorizzi (has the stuff to possibly make the team as a temporary RP), LHP Mike Montgomery and 3B Patrick Leonard gives the Rays some needed replacements and added personnel within the farm system who one day could be playing in St. Petersburg,Florida alongside Meyers. This trade not only has the potential to help the Rays possibly as soon as 2013 with Meyers, but it gives the franchise some credible arms to work in the upper echelon of the Rays farm system and get better before their own MLB debuts possibly in 2014-2015.
Sure the subtraction of Davis means the Rays will have to find a long-inning specialist, but that could easily be the pitcher who loses out on the Rays fifth rotation slot, but it could also be someone like LHP Alex Torres, RHP Dane Del La Rosa or possibly even Southpaw Jake McGee.
The trade opens a widening world of possibilities to the formulation of the Rays 2013 25-man roster. The subtraction of Shields and Davis will be sorely missed, but it also give some of the Rays young arms a chance to rise to the occasion, just like Shields did when he shocked the Rays staff when he made his debut and got a no-decision against the Baltimore Orioles on May 31, 2006.
Because both these teams are on the bottom end of the fiscal reality of baseball, these kinds of trades are the lifeblood of the organizations.
Taking high dollar veterans and turning them for prospects or players who could play at the MLB level is the way they can stay competitive and right up there with the AL high spenders. In the end, this trade had wins posted on both sides of the leader board.
The Rays got to shuffle off two experienced pitchers and another piece to be added to the Royals side of the equation soon (PTBNL) who should can help the Royals immediately, while the Rays got a few future pieces of their pitching puzzle and a player who could shine for them for the next 6-odd seasons in their outfield mix. No matter how you slice it, both sides should be commended on this deal that helped both clubs immediately both in personnel and the financial realm…..Sorry, but to me that is a classic "win-win" for both front offices.
2011 is Almost in the Books, but What a Season to Remember.
Usually around this time of the year Tampa Bay Rays blogs begin to countdown their top moments of the season. It was a historic season by many aspects. The team posted their third trip in four seasons to the October party, but also we saw so many of the Rays post their own moments of wonder and amazement it has to have all of us giddy with emotion knowing there are less than 100 days before the fun all begins again for 2012.
We saw the emergence of "the Legend"( Sam Fuld), the formulation of the "Magic of Kotch" (Casey Kotchman) movement, and also saw the further maturation of the Rays top tier players David Price and Evan Longoria. We saw Sean Rodriguez move across the diamond to the 6-hole and show why he has always been a prized reward of the Scott Kazmir trade. Desmond Jennings came up and proved once and for all he is not a "Crawford"-clone, but has his own power, style and base-stealing magic.
Matt Joyce proved he had the stuff to hit left-handers, and Ben Zobrist again show the "Zorilla" style traits we all fell in love with during the 2008-2009 campaigns. From starters to Bullpen the Rays hurlers showed promise, unexpected magical moments and the durability of the staff graybeard as James Shields merited Cy Young consideration.
2011 was suppose to be a rebuilding season, but the only rebuilding the Rays did was on their reputation and solidarity to fixate on that post-season goal and drive towards it with vigor and vitality. This season will not go down in Rays history as the most productive on paper, but the 91 wins posted by this squad were 1 better than their rivals the Boston Red Sox and produced another champagne moment within Tropicana Field.
Rays Manager Joe Maddon instilled a "Find Another Way" mantra on his troops early this Spring and several players in the Rays fold responded by showing their abilities are on par with this league even if their MLB service clocks show minimal numbers. Jennings might have proved beyond a shadow of a doubt in 2011 he should be the heir apparent to the Rays lead-off hitter the Rays for 2012. Joyce finally got the at bats to prove he can be the Rays everyday right-fielder and run producer.
All five members of the Rays 2011 posted over 10+ victories with Shields leading the field with a 16-12 record. Not only did Shields lead his young Rays comrades in "W's", he also topped the squad in innings pitched (249.1 innings), strikeouts (225) and ERA (2.82 ). Filling in gaps within the season the Rays saw the promise of brilliance of Matt Moore, Alex Cobb and the late season relief pitching of Alex Torres.
Pitching definitely defined so many of these great Rays moments, but the bats did not remain silent during the carnage. We saw new closer Kyle Farnsworth struggle but post a career high with 25 saves, but we also saw the season toll takes it effect on one of the most intimidating players in the game. But the Rays Bullpen which featured 3 lefties for most of the season closed down offenses with RP Joel Peralta providing his own brand of set-up brilliance as well as posting 6 saves. From inning 1 to 9 this Rays team's pitching tried to set the tone and bring home a win on a nightly basis.
Who will forget that Home Run hit by Longo to seal the Rays post-season against the Yankees on the season's last day in extra frames about the same time ex-Rays LF Carl Crawford missed a dying quail in Baltimore to propel the Rays into the October party.
With that singled out win on the last day of the 2011 campaign, the Rays ended up posting their only winning September ever with a 16-10 record. It also secured the squad's third straight 90+ win season, How pale does that starting 1-8 record look now in retrospect as corks exploded within the Trop's confines and players and fans celebrated together.
Rookies earned their Rays letters this season at an alarming rate as Moore, Brandon Gomes,Torres, Jake McGee and Jeremy Hellickson combined to bring home 8 of those 16 September victories among them, further showing the promise and prosperity that should bring about more moments of celebration and excitement in 2012 for this talented 5-some. Each of these 5 hurlers definitely earned their Rays letterman's sweaters complete with a shaving cream pie.
But even with the emergence of the rookies, some of the Rays players saw their season as constant reminders of the ever-changing MLB environment. Pitchers J P Howell and Andy Sonnanstine began the 2012 Spring Training with high expectations and a want to show their abilities for this team. Sonny ended up in Triple-A Durham for most of the season, and Howell who came on later in the season never seemed to find the right groove or positive upward momentum. But that is the joy of the New Year, resolutions can be made, and the past is just that…past.
The 2011 season has long been put into the record books, but 2011 is slowing winding down towards it's last tick of the clock and should be remembered as a season of true fortitude, ever-present resilience and a combined team-wide confidence stemming from the veterans to rookies that this team could win on any given night.
But still if I had to pick a moment of clarity for the Rays, a scene that showed the drive, commitment and determination of this squad it was on the 180th day of the season, in the 12th inning Longoria proved once and for all he is the man to follow on this squad even before his 31st Home Run made human contact in the right field stands. So as we begin to enter the 15th season for the Rays, Sonny has found a new home with the Cubs, Maddon has darkened his hair a few shades.
Changes are still in store for this team before they cross the Port Charlotte, Florida threshold this Spring. Some players have solidified their spots on the roster while others have the Rays scouting and Coaching staff wearing out the erasers on their pencils trying to mesh and mold this squad to take that next step. Can't wait for that crystal ball to fall in NYC soon because that will symbolize that 2012 is squarely upon us, and the memories of 2011 are just that…fond and precious memories.
I Like Ike
Saw an interesting little blip pop up on my laptop screen today that the New York Mets are taking the aggressive road during the current Major League Baseball Winter Meetings in Dallas, Texas and are willing to throw all their cards on the table and see who from within the MLB crew will wheel and deal with them with their basic roster open for discussion.
The Mets have already secured a sizable investment in their reliever corps, and now are setting their sights towards a few other weaknesses going into the cold off-season. With the new ownership basically opening the doors for a MLB-sized garage sale, I wonder just how marked up the price would be for the Tampa Bay Rays to possible pick a particular name off that roster and secure a possible 2012 answer for one of their own glaring weak spots.
There is one name that just keeps flashing brightly at me from among the Mets roster. He is a player who interests me a lot, and who has shown some bright spots in his early MLB career and could possibly grow into the 1B slot for the Rays for several years instead of the team bartering and buying into short-term solutions at the position. An interesting sidebar to this is that current Mets First Baseball Ike (Issac) Davis was initially drafted by the Rays back in the 2005 MLB Amateur Draft in the 19th Round.
Davis ended up spurning the Rays and enrolled at Arizona State University. That might have been a very wise decision career-wise for Davis as his number grew and his offensive power-stroke emerged and he elevated his game enough to be picked with the 18th pick of the First Round during the 2008 MLB Draft by the Mets. Another intriguing sidebar is that Davis is the son of former MLB P Ron Davis who played in the league for 11 seasons. The pair became the 197th Father-Son combo to both play MLB caliber baseball.
Some might discount my desire for Friedman to possibly discuss Davis as "wishful thinking", but I think the Rays Executive VP of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman and his covert ops scouting deployment squad should take a few moments with baseball gang from Flushing , NY crew swirl a few players names ( possibly SP Jeff Niemann or C Jose Lobaton) to see just how much the Mets are truly dangling their players to the masses.
Then again, the Mets might be a bit "trade shy" of the Rays since the pain still lingers a bit with some of the front office staff about the Kazmir-Zambrano trade fiasco. But that should be water under the George Washington bridge by now, and if the Rays collect a few interesting names both from their MLB or farm system, the Mets could use them as clear fodder to go after another player of their choosing. Heck, why not possibly investigate who the Mets have on their radar and the Rays, Mets and a third-party come up with a solution that will give everyone a Cheshire cat grin.
Davis has the admiration of his teammates, especially former Mets, no Marlins SS Jose Reyes. Tell me this is not the kind of glowing testimonial that would not have you knocking on the Met's hotel room door asking about Davis " People talk about hit hitting, but he is one of the best defensive First Baseman you will ever see for a player his age". That quote alone should perk up Friedman's ears towards at least investigating Davis.
Davis did not have a great 2011 due to a lingering ankle injury he sustained back on May 10th when he rolled his ankle during a routine pop-up near the pitching mound. Davis gutted out the injury off-the-field doing rehab and working to try to bring the ankle back into playing strength before the end of the 2011 season. Still, the defensive-minded 1B posted some pretty impressive offensive numbers for his second MLB season.
In 139 at bats in 36 games, Davis had a .304 Batting Average, a OPS of .925 and hit 7 Home Runs and 25 Rb I's. Some say the injury might have prevented the former 2004 High School All-American from posting a breakout season. Davis is ripe on the MLB vine right now, and the Rays should pluck him before someone else comes in and takes him away.
Davis has the defensive skills, the budding offensive power and is a humble and down-to-earth player that quickly became a Met's fan favorite. All three of these facts fit perfectly into the Rays list of trading for potential players, and with Davis set to make possibly under $500,000 for the season, he fits the fiscal ramifications of being pursued by the club.
Problem with this is simply what is Davis worth on the Rays scale? Is he worth a small cache of minor leaguer's and a MLB caliber player. Would the Mets possibly take Niemann or Wade Davis plus maybe another Rays pitching farm hands like Alex Torres or Nick Barnese with a kicker of one of the Rays budding catching prospect from Lo baton to Nevin Ashley.
I personally would call the Mets, possibly for at least a sit-down, possible discussion on the true availability of Davis, and if he is on the table, strike while the iron is hot this Hot Stove season. The Rays could bag a young maturing First Baseman who they can financially control for a period of time, plus plug a huge gap on the left side of their infield with a player who could have All-Star potential. Then again, who knows, maybe Friedman has already ventured into this garage sale, taken his notes and is awaiting a moment to make his move…..plus Davis's trademark # 29 is available….better get Westy on the Batphone.
More Answers than Questions (Thank Goodness) This Rays Offseason
At the precise moment on Friday night as the St. Louis Cardinal's barrage of champagne corks began their ascent towards the heavens, 29 other Major League Baseball franchises heard only the undeniable audible signal that announced the beginning of their own rebuilding and tweaking process. These MLB clubs did not watch in awe and admiration as Cardinal fans and players took their ceremonial baths in bubbly, that precise moment beckoned each and every club to begin to unveil and move towards their own dreams of celebrating in November, 2012.
As the city's faithful began their dancing beneath that mighty arch, baseball vistas from Seattle to Miami began their own quests to become the club's to do that same celebratory display in November, 2012. With the first cork came the realization that the 2011 MLB season is in the books, and 2012 is there for the taking.
This morning as the Sunburns off last night's celebration haze, the Cardinal faithful are rushing to outlets throughout their city for their World Series title mementos while the rest of the MLB is sprinting to possibly gain a sizable lead in retaining, replacing or reconstructing their squads to have the same experience in 2012. The off season folder have been plucked from their secretive hiding places and already things are in the works both behind the scenes and in plain view. The off season for everyone in Major League Baseball has officially begun.
Here in Tampa Bay, the Rays should have an pretty abbreviated laundry list compared to their 2011 off season "wish list". Still a few additional key components have to be found, possibly tweaked or invited to re-sign with the young club to give the Rays that same competitive fire and drive that send them from bystanders to Wild Card darlings. Key decisions have to be made about certain rotation members tenures with the team. Certain arbitration-eligible players may find themselves without a team, and a few unexpected free agents might get an Spring Training invite to become a part of the Rays 2012 nucleus.
Already there is both optimism and pessimistic waves and valleys growing within the Rays Republic. Should the Rays offer another contract to DH Johnny Damon with possibly a $7 guaranteed payday plus the same attendance bonuses? Or should the club enlist the outside help of another high priced bat-slinger to bring a bit of intimidation and power to the Rays universe?
Will a few slots open up in the Rays rotation, or will pitchers like Matt Moore and the "Alex" duo of Cobb and Torres be shipped back to the minor until mid-May to stammer their arbitration clocks? The Rays scouting system and front office is bound to have to endure more than a handful of stressful and thought provoking skull sessions to decide if the Tall Texan (Jeff Neimann) or WD-40 (Wade Davis) have better talent and potential than the pitching trifecta punching their way through the thin glass ceiling between Triple-A Durham and the St. Petersburg clubhouse.
Will the Rays catching corps rebound with authority both at the plate and behind it with John Jaso possibly showing the same power and ability that made him a Rays darling in 2010, or will a bevy of Rays farm hand backstops like Jose Lobaton, Robinson "Honeynut" Chirinos, Nevin Ashley or the powerful bat of Stephen Vogt make Jaso possibly a Rays "dead man walking?
The glass ceiling between Triple-A Durham and the clubhouse in St. Petersburg could be broken by several players of these players and more this coming Spring. Could veteran C Kelly Shoppach's September and post season heroics gain him another shot behind the plate with the Rays, or will the Rays decline his 2012 club option? I have a feeling one of these catchers will not be with the Rays come the mid-February report date.
Then there will be an endless bevy of flowcharts and statistical evaluations and scouting critiques to decide if Reid Brignac is the heir apparent at shortstop, or if infield journeyman Sean Rodriguez will be given a chance to unseat Brignac who was the Rays 2011 Opening Day SS. Some have said S-Rod gives the team more power and a consistent bat in the line-up whereas Brignac might have the deeper range and potential coming into Spring Training 2012. With a hot Rays SS prospect like Hak-Ju Lee and INF Tim Beckham still pushing their way up the Rays farm ladder, the current shaky foundation of Brignac will open discussions towards possibly having Rodriguez get more time in the 6-slot with the future only a phone call away in Durham come late season.
Then there is the biggest hot spot of them all, who will man the First Base bag for the Rays in 2012? Most might think current 1B Casey Kotchman will get a nice bump in pay from his $ 750,000 2011 salary to re-sign with the Rays, but that is pure speculation until the contract is sign, sealed and delivered. Even with First Base power behemoths like Pujols, Fielder and possibly Votto dangling on the lines, the Rays will not have a salary deviations to land a high priced acquisition, and Kotchman could be a bargain both in his defense and in his renewed vigor at the plate.
Possibly we will see the end of the "Sonny" era with the Rays. Andy Sonnanstine spent most of 2011 in Triple-A, and being arbitration-eligible again in 2012, might have worn the Rays colors for the last time. RP J P Howell also will enter the fray again, possibly also with the Rays on the fence to his ability to rebound from his surgery and again be the needed force in the Rays Bullpen. The Rays for once seem set at "leftie specialist" as both Jake McGee and Cesar Ramos should end any discussions of the Rays needing another hurler in that category.
Kyle Farnsworth seems destined to again shore up the back end of the Rays Bullpen with a $ 3.3 million 2012 club option on the books. But could the late season elbow stiffness possibly have the Rays a bit anxious of a possible Deja Vu circa 2008 "Percival" scenario? More Bullpen concern might be to see if Joel Peralta might like to remain a Ray, possibly with a extended 2-year deal.
From top to bottom, all 40 of the Rays current roster members will undergo a evaluation soon. With free agents making visits to the Rays complex, and some packing their gloves for other vistas, this Rays off season has begun. Fortunately there are more answers than questions this season, but that will not hinder Rays VP of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman and his staff as they find ample offense and suitable replacements for a few departing Rays. The 2011 season is officially in the record books, now comes the real fun for Friedman and his staff to bring the brilliance.
Re-casting Possible for the Rays "Young Guns"?
It always amazes me when people make posters like this. It is creative, very well thought out in the ways of design, but the content sometimes makes a lot to be desired. It is not that I do not consider the Tampa Bay Rays pitchers that this artist selected for his poster to not be "Young Guns", I just think a couple of pitchers who also made an 2011 appearance missed the photo cut.
Gazing at the poster several images of 2011 came rushing back to me, which several being possible final curtain calls for a few Rays. Some showed their magic in 2011, while some may have shown a bit of a bad slide, possibly signing their own visas for exit from the Rays universe. Still it is wild that this one photo to the right was presented on the first day Rays pitchers' and catchers reported in Port Charlotte, Florida, and one person presented on the poster was not even among those assembled.
Rays phenom Matt Moore did not even report until the Rays minor league player's strolled into the Southwest Florida community, but won a spot on the poster. It would be futile to not consider this southpaw a future staple in the Rays rotation, possibly making his next appearance after May 2012. Still it shows the defining depth and promise of the Rays hurlers that a guy not even selected for a Major League Spring Invite makes such a prominent figure on the poster.
But there is something that is bothering me about this poster. Something that today might not seem relevant, but could make the whole idea of the poster moot possibly even before the 2012 Spring thaw. I consider the duo of "Alex's", Torres and Cobb to have a prominent place in the Rays plans coming into 2012, possibly making their Opening Day debuts this season for the Rays.
That immediately raises the question on who I truly think might be airbrushed off this poster, possibly wearing different colors as the mid-February date approaches. The first pitcher that might get a new MLB address for 2012 could be right-hander Jeff Niemann. It is nothing personal, Niemann has shown great signs of brilliance on the mound, it is just that his risk factors in regard to injury setbacks and his up and down productivity make him a suitable pitcher to find another home for 2012.
Some people might be amazed that the "Tall Texan" has made 83 career starts for the Rays, but most of us are transfixed on his last 2011 start, in Fenway Park where Niemann was matched up against Red Sox hurler Jon Lester and Neumann posted up his 11th victory of the season. Niemann posted a 8-2 record on the road this season in his 12 starts, pushing him into the top 5 road records in the major leagues, including winning 8 of his last 9 road decisions.
Usually that kind of pitcher would not even be on the cusp of trade chatter, but the Rays have a bevy of pitchers trying to break through the barrier between the Triple-A Durham Bulls and a place on the Rays 25-man roster. 2012 might be the season where the Rays get significantly younger, and Niemann may only be the first to mosey into the Florida sunset. Niemann has had a good enough career and 2011 season to possibly get the Rays an up-grade in a few needed areas for 2012. I would put him at the top of the Rays list of available players come the Hot Stove season, and a pitcher more than a few teams covet.
The second member of the Rays current "Young Guns" who might need to worry is also Niemann's hunting and fishing buddy Wade Davis. Even though he might have signed a salary respectable contract before the 2011 season, that could be a great tasty morsel to a struggling team with limited payroll looking for a viable starter with MLB experience. I guess I put Davis on this list because I consider the two "Alex's" to have more up-side for the Rays in the near future than Davis, this is not about his present record or his injury in 2011.
Still, Davis is another Rays pitcher who has some valuable MLB abilities and could come at a respectable trade cost to another team. Worst thing here is that Davis would be a marked man in 2012 no matter what in reality. With the firm possibility that Moore will spend at least a few months in Durham before possibly making another visit to the Rays roster, Davis looks like a man firmly on unstable ground with no lifeline within reaching distance.
Even after posting a 8 inning, 2-hit start against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 25th, Davis might not have done enough to have teams kicking his tires this offseason. Davis won his last 7 starts of the season at Tropicana Field plus Davis posted double digit win totals over his first 2 Rays seasons, but it might not be enough to let WD-40 squeak by with a 2012 spot in the rotation. Davis may be in the same row boat as Niemann right now with financial numbers and the possibility of younger starters beating on the Rays doors being the catalyst for a trade, not his abilities.
Most would think I would have selected James Shields as one of the "poster boys" to be in the most jeopardy for 2012. If you thought that, you would not be totally wrong. Shields will possibly be dealt by the Rays, but it seems more logical for him to be separated from this team by the end of July, not this off season. With Moore, Torres and Cobb all having limited game experience, having a starting trio of David Price, Shields and Jeremy Hellickson to start 2012 makes the Rays an instant contender.
Shields 2012 salary would be a huge reason for his departure, but he also showed this season he has the drive and ability to still be a top flight pitcher and a value commodity for the Rays to start 2012. By the end of July, with free agency possibly on the horizon, the Rays might be more likely to trade Shields while his value is high to a contender outside the American League.
The poster is another reminder of the deep and promising rotation the Rays should be able to push up against their Major League Baseball adversaries for the next 5-8 years. Every one of these pitchers have the abilities and the skills to dominate and take a win from the clutches of any team, at any time. It is a rare and unique thing for the Rays to have such depth, but it is also a tragedy that some of their pitchers may ultimately experience their career peaks not wearing a Rays uniform.
If You Don't Believe Now, Better Check Your Pulse
Words would just ruin the moment. Here is a photo essay of complied photos from the great AP photographers Mike Carlson / Chris O'Meara and Getty Images Photog J. Meric on the field and deep within the bowels of Tropicana Field tonight. .
Last, but not least, the Home Run trot that began the celebration!
Yankees Ruined My "Tales of Two Alex's" Saga
You knew somehow it was going to happen. You knew the tale of the two Alex's would Somehow somewhere rear its mysterious wonder sometime during this New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays series. I was praying the moment I saw the second Alex warming up in the Bullpen that the proverbial Joker would not ruin this storybook ending.
Most of us in the Rays Republic have grown accustom to the odd and sometimes mystic ways of Rays Manager Joe Maddon. We no longer question in advance the madness or insanity because of his overall check mark firmly entrench on the Winning side of the odds ledger. But during this Nationally televised contest his pair of mirror image Aces were beaten by a Jack of all trades (Nick Swisher). I could see Rick Sutcliffe doing his voodoo trance of death from my Rightfield seat.
It was the story of one Alex (Cobb) who fought through a flaw of tipping off his pitches during his M L B debut in a spot start against the Los Angels Angels at Tropicana Field to posting a 2-0 record on 5 starts this season for the home club. Cobb performed superbly in the contest putting his own spin on thew game, keeping the New York Yankees basically in check with his pitch selection leaving the ballgame in line for a "W" after posting a 4-2 cushion for his Bullpen.
t looks almost like a certain thing Cobb would post to an impressive 3-0 record. Some how the usually solid and aggressive Rays Bullpen issued 5 walks and saw their usual rock of Gibraltar, closer Kyle Farnsworth crumble. Farnsy has now surrendered 5 free passes in his last 5 appearances, which included his 3rd blown save on Monday night.
Then suddenly the second bookend Alex (Torres) who was making his M L B debut got a chance to leave a impression not only on Maddon, but on the assembled Rays crowd. Scouts had been more than vocal that Torres might not be ready for his shot, but the Rays took the gamble on their pair of Alexs' on this night.
When Torres took the hill during the top of the 9th inning, he looked confident, polished, possibly having something to prove not only to himself and his team, but to his new pinstriped adversaries. Torres threw 44 pitches on the night, the first 7 to lead-off hitter Curtis Granderson, a hitter who is not an easy task even for a veteran. Torres did get Granderson to a 3-2 count before Granderson fouled off the next 2 offering. Then Granderson delivered with a single to Center.
Next up power hitter Mark Teixera. Another guy who with one swing could change the outcome of the game and send the Rays Republic home wondering "What if". Torres seemed more poised, controlled as he got Teixera to strikeout swinging on 5 offerings. Suddenly maybe Alex #2 had some M L B moxy.
Torres never worried about Granderson, and he quickly stole second, moving himself 90 feet from scoring to put the pressure on the Rays. Mariano Rivera was now up and throwing over Torres right shoulder, he glanced down the foul line then threw a nice breaking pitch to Robinson Cano that he grounded to second for an easy second out. Suddenly it looked like Torres had a reliever's mindset.
Maddon then sent in the signal to Intentionally walk Nick Swisher with Granderson 60 feet from home plate. Runners on the corners with 2 outs. Andrew Jones then saw only 5 pitches before he walked to first loading the bases with pinstripes, hyping the pressure and room for error into the red.
Martin came to the plate with the intention of ruining Torres debut. It was nothing personal, it was the way the game is played. He took the first offering from Torres and heard the deep bellow of Home Plate Umpire Ed Hickox as the ball nipped the corner. Then Martin saw 2 straight balls in the same area, but this time outside the zone, but always hoping not to hear another called strike from Hickox.
Torres gained some ground on Martin getting him to a 2-2 strike count before the momentum quickly turned in Martin's favor. 2 of Torre's next 3 pitches missed their mark. Bringing in Granderson from Third, posting a 5-4 lead for the Yankees.
Immediately a lot of heads went down in the assembled crowd. Somehow we all knew the result. We all collectively knew that the gamble by Maddon had been called, dealt with and the cards were in the Visitor's favor.
Even Torres seemed to give in a little as the next hitter Brent Gardner got off to a quick 3-0 count before Torres reached down and fought back to a 3-2 count before Gardner hit a roller to Longoria for the final out of the inning.
Almost instantly the second guessing in the stands began as people questioned the Intentional walk to Swisher, but even as people bickered and threw their arms up in wonder, the Rays never seemed to get over that half of an inning, getting contact on all three at bats in their half of the inning, but going down 1-2-3 to end the night.
Suddenly Torres was being labeled in the stands as the "second coming of Jorge Sosa". Or that he reminded some of former Rays RP/SP victor Zambrano who had a World of potential and velocity, but his control was all over the place. Both of these resemblances were unfair, but had a hint of merit.
That night Torres was informed he was going back to Triple-A Durham, but even with a perfect night his stay up with the Rays might have been short lived. You know the Rays sent Torres back to Durham with a "To Do" list of things to work on, things to get right, and progression might have us see him again in September.
Both of the Alex's were total opposites on this night. Beside Cobb being a right-hander and Torres a leftie, that is were their similarities ended, even on Monday night. When the 9th inning began and Torres was popping the mitt with his warm-up pitches.
I wanted the storyline, the "Tale of the Two Alex's" to have a glorious ending. A way to celebrate this rookie invasion that has been so successful for the Rays, but Swisher, a Jack of all trades had his own fairy tale ending in the works.
McGee Needs to be a Viable Rays Relief Option
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jake McGee is one of the Rays young pitchers I worry about as the Rays Pitchers and Catchers report date (2/15) ticks closer. I'm not concerned about his past painful journey, or even his pitching arsenal. I am worried that McGee might get pushed into the same multi-functional category as New York Yankees starter/reliever Joba Chamberlain by possibly wear too many MLB caps instead of being focused in one finite direction.
On the surface the aspect of a MLB rookie to possessing such flexibility might not seem dangerous. It might be seen as ultimately valuable to the Major League squad to have a pitcher who can perform the multiple duties of both starter or a reliever in their bag of tricks. But that transformation comes with its own set of perils and dangers.
Some have speculated that Chamberlain has been flip flopped once too often in his short Yankee career swapping his role from starter to relief, and that his overall pitching has been effected by the juggling. There is a distinctive different make-up for a pitcher who performs every five days as opposed to a pitcher who has to ready at the beck and call of your Manager on a daily basis.
Not only are there many different mental aspects to take into consideration between the two options, but the modus operandi of each individual facet of pitching both in preparing and game day prep take on a completely different feel and clarity withg both spots in the roster. I would hate to see the Rays make the same Chamberlain type mistakes with McGee.
This is a southpaw who as recently as 2008 was considered by Baseball America to be the 5th best prospect in all of minor league baseball. Suddenly the mid-2008 Tommy John's surgery to repair a left elbow unlar collateral tear instantly halted McGee's meteoric rise through the Rays farm system.
When MLB.com issued their 2011 Top 50 Major League Baseball prospects list recently, McGee's name was not anywhere to be seen on that list. That is why I am worried about McGee. Not that his confidence could ebb or that his talent has peaked, but with a fall from grace sometimes you get thought of in a different light by your organization. Possibly changing your whole future dynamic with the franchise.
You only have to look into the Rays Centerfield to see a perfect example of changing a player's direction in their MLB career. B J Upton was considered to be the "Rays shortstop of the future". Suddenly when a few clouds of doubt or concerns reared their ugly heads, Upton was on a carousel of positional stops from Third Base, to Second Base to finally landing in Centerfield. Ultimately the "Rays shortstop of the future" got to look in to see his supposed pre-destined position from a completely different angle.
I bring this up because there are whispers that McGee might not be brought into the Rays 2011 Spring Training as a relief candidate. He might again be stretched out as a starting candidate, possibly for Triple-A. Most would think this flexibility in McGee's game is commendable, but I see it as a variation of the same familiar path that the Yankees took with Chamberlain early on in his development. I personally feel that New York ruined a talented ballplayer and made him mediocre by the year-to-year flipping of his job description.
Even during the 2010 Rays minor league season there are indications that the team might be flip flopping on McGee's potential MLB abilities. When the Rays promoted McGee on September 14,2010 he had previously been appearing mostly as a reliever for the Triple-A Durham Bulls since his August 7,2010 promotion from Double-A Montgomery.
Here is where a huge Rays red flag begins to fly really high for me with possible Chamberlain type comparisons. McGee appeared in only 11 Bulls games, all in relief except for a solo start before his Major League promotion. McGee posted an overall Bulls 0.52 ERA in 17.1 innings with 27 strikeouts and a .148 opponents batting average. All stellar relief credentials that should show a talent for that relief side of the game.
The interesting side twist is that McGee started the 2010 season with Montgomery where he started 19 games, going 3-7 over 88 innings with 100 strikeouts. If you start a guy early on in the minor league season as a starter in the higher levels of your farm system, then why did he suddenly transform into a relief candidate upon promotion to Triple-A?
Surely the Rays, who have a lack of quality left-handers in their relief corps would realistically have McGee come into Spring Training camp as a bona fide relief candidate. But there are more than a few whispers that McGee will be extended out again this Spring to become a starter, possibly for the Triple-A Bulls.
This flabbergasts me totally. Here is a player who demonstrated, even on a short term MLB relief test, that he can perform at a higher level and instead he might be considered to start games instead of hone his craft as a reliever in either the MLB or at Triple-A?
I really hope this is just one of those erroneous rumors that pop up about this time of the year just to test the waters, then proves to be totally false. McGee could be a great left-handed option for the Rays out of the Bullpen for a long, long time.
The idea of pushing McGee starting again with Rays left-handed farm system talent like leftie starter Alex Torres waiting in the wings is simply bananas. McGee could fill a huge need gap in the Rays system by learning the craft of relief while also gaining a boatload of confidence and possibly transform into a future closer option for the Rays.
The Rays have never been known to grow in-house relief talent at the back of the Bullpen, McGee could eventually be the key to breaking that farm system cycle.
Even if McGee didn't make the Rays final 25-man roster out of Spring Training and went down for some intensive late inning work with Durham, it would benefit McGee and the Rays tremendously. Putting McGee into a rotation spot, even on the short term, could push McGee closer towards a possible Chamberlain burnout situation where McGee is being pulled in two distinctive different pitching directions.
I am not discounting McGee's worth as a starter here, but his overall value as a reliever, even at the Triple-A level, fully trumps his consideration again for a starting nod. McGee is too good of a pitching talent to have to ultimately re-invent his pitching style on a monthly basis. His value right now to the Rays is as a key southpaw reliever, possibly even fulfilling the spot as the Rays designated left-handed specialist.
But McGee will need to work on his relief craft to push down his 2010 short term 3.87 ERA against left-handers. The talent is there, it just has to be tweaked and plucked and possibly pulled out from within McGee to flourish as a member of the Rays relief corps. With the talent potential and possible chance for McGee to find some roster security, I truly feel the relief corps is his best possible position for the McGee and the Rays.
Because McGee has shown in his brief Durham stint that he has the kind of pitching to punish hitters in the late innings, it is all up to the Rays now With Rays Manager Joe Maddon's constant juggling of pitchers and hitters to force favorable match-ups during the late innings of Rays contests, McGee is a valuable tool the Rays really need to succeed in 2011, but all that could be tarnished, or possibly dismissed if the Rays rumor is true that McGee will again be a starter. That would be a crying shame.


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Justin Bieber, he's famous and needs a friend, just...
Just Another Love Story49833
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When I went to my first concert I was so excited, but I didn't realize the huge effect it would have on my life. It was a Justin Bieber concert and I had back stage passes I was so excited, I had gotten them as a Christmas present and I couldn't wait to go, but I had a few months to wait.
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RedFin are often asked buy clients or media companies to come up with unusual aquarium concepts. Our skilled design team are always keen to design some thing that has never previously been attempted before or is very unusual. Below are some of our favourite concepts that we have been asked to develope.
RedFin Aquarium Design were approached by the South China Morning Post newspaper who asked us to come up with an idea for 'the ultimate aquarium'. We decided to put a room inside an aquarium so the owner can feel like they are surrounded by the ocean. There is enough floor space inside for dinner parties and dancing.
The story below was written for the April edition of the SCMP style magazine which can be found here.
Why settle for a goldfish in a jar when you can have the ocean in your home? These days, aquarists are taking their passions to new depths as they explore the many possibilities inherent with a fish tank, such as a dance floor, bathroom sink, coffee table or even a bus-stop billboard.
Last year, British luxury gadget designer Stuart Hughes designed the Aquavista Dinosaur Gold, made from a piece of T-rex bone that costs close to US$4.9 million - though some might consider it too small and simple-looking for such a price tag.
For those who really want to amaze family and friends, Bruce and his team at Red Fin designed a room within an aquarium. "We wanted the owner to feel like they were surrounded by the ocean, so we created a circular-shaped aquarium with no corners to detract from the feeling of immersion. The inner space is 10 metres wide, which means a floor space of more than 75 square metres that can be used for dining and parties, or even live music and dancing," Bruce says.
An area with the world's most diverse reefs and marine life known as the Coral Triangle - a geographical zone in the western Pacific Ocean covering the waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste - is replicated within the aquarium, which holds almost 160,000 litres of water and close to 1,000 fish from more than 100 species.
"There are large, eye-catching fish, like the queen angelfish and emperor angelfish, and also huge schools of smaller fish like anthias and chromis, which offer some of the most striking sights on the reef when moving in unison. We also included hundreds of different gobies, blennies and other small fish," Bruce says.
The corals that line the aquarium floor are grown from small clippings known as "frags", harvested from reefs. "Most of these would be Scleractinia [stony coral] chosen for their bright colours; we also included some alcyonacea to help mimic a natural environment."
A range of shrimp, crabs, clams, anemones, sea cucumbers, small lobsters, urchins and snails are included to enliven the scene and maintain a balanced ecosystem. "Aquarium owners are often very conscious of where the livestock is sourced from, and it is important to them that the fish and invertebrates are aquacultured or collected under sustainable quotas," says Bruce, who has built tanks for everything from giant Pacific octopus to jellyfish.
The most expensive part of this aquarium would be the 35-tonne acrylic tank made from multiple 110mm thick sheets that are bent to shape in a factory, then bonded together on site, followed by the installation costs and a state-of-the-art filtration/life-support system monitored and controlled by a computer.
"This system can do everything from maintaining temperature and controlling lighting to sending text messages to your phone if there is an issue with the tank," Bruce says.
This filtration system uses computer automation to simulate the tank inhabitants' natural environment and would be housed in a separate room either above, below or on the same floor as the aquarium. The lighting would be programmed to follow the exact solar-lunar cycle of the Coral Triangle - illumination would increase in the morning to coincide with the sunrise in Indonesia or Fiji, increase throughout the day, then dim in the evening. At night, LED lights come on to re-create the moonphases as they relate to the Coral Triangle.
"Many aquatic creatures rely on the lunar cycle to synchronise mating and spawning behaviour on the reef, so it's important that the day and night and lunar cycles are re-created perfectly in the aquarium," Bruce says.
Bruce's job will not stop at the set-up. Once the tank has been built and filled, Red Fin will take care of the maintenance, including feeding, twice-weekly tank cleaning by a professional diver, water-quality analysis and ensuring that all the life-support systems, lighting and filtration are in good working order.
We were asked by a client in a middle eastern country to develop an aquarium with a TV in the centre of it. The TV can pivot in the centre allowing it to be watched form either side of the room. The TV will be surrounded by fish and artificial coral making a amazing and unusual centre piece to a room.
The aquarium is designed to be built out of acrylic. A compact filtration system is concealed in the aquarium stand and a custom made LED system is hidden in the canopy above the aquarium.
RedFin were also asked to come up with a "glass floor aquarium" concept for a private villa.
This latest concept, a large private aquarium with a glass roof, can give the impression of "walking on water" when viewed from above. The aquarium would measure 8m x 8m x 3m. The windows of the aquarium would be made from a high-transparency acrylic, and the transparent roof would be made of glass. The aquarium would also feature a spiral staircase, running around the side of the aquarium and leading to the viewing area above.
This above viewing area is what sets this aquarium apart from other large private aquariums. While other large private aquariums have been constructed, they don't give the opportunity to stand right above the aquarium, offering a whole new perspective on the aquatic life below.
The acrylic windows will need to be more than 20cm in thickness, as a tank of such size would need very thick acrylic to deal with the large amounts of pressure. As the glass floor would need to be able to support the weight of many viewers at once, it will be supported by specially coated and treated steel beams. The coating and treatment on these beams is to protect them from corroding over time.
Rather than using real coral, the tank will contain specially made artificial coral and rock inserts. This will prevent the coral from becoming damaged or bleached over time, which can pose major problems when keeping live corals. This will allow the corals and rocks to preserve their colours for years to come. The corals will be made from special materials in order to do this, and these materials will also prevent the corals and rocks from polluting the water.
Due to the size of the tank, many different species of exotic aquatic life can be stored in the tank. From brightly coloured coral reef fish, to small sharks, sting rays and even puffer fish, the combination of many beautiful aquatic species would not only provide a striking centrepiece to any home, but watching the beautiful aquatic life move through the crystal clear water, with a backdrop of bright corals and rocks, would transfix the eyes of anyone who views it.
In order to monitor the aquarium effectively and deal with any issues that arise in a timely manner, there will be a computer monitoring system built into the aquarium. This would give the maintenance team remote control of the filtration and water parameters, meaning that any issues to be flagged and resolved in a timely manner. This means that maintenance can be done more efficiently and effectively, protecting the quality of the water and keeping the livestock healthy.
The total cost of the aquarium would be HKD$15million. The majority of the cost goes into the high quality Acrylic sides and glass top, which would cost $11.7 million. It will cost $1.56 million to install, and the remaining cost is for the other construction materials, which are; the Filtration room and filtration equipment ($741,000), the artificial coral and other decorations ($585,000) and the lighting and computer control system ($390,000).
For a tank of this size and complexity, regular maintenance would be required, which Redfin can provide. A professional aquarist would be required to dive into the tank to clean the glass and the corals, and this would need to be done on multiple times on a weekly basis. The cost of the livestock and maintenance will cost HK$624,000 per annum.
"An aquarium like this has never been created before, so this is the ultimate [home] aquarium," says James Bruce, managing director of RedFin Aquariums.


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We had some member change ups and decided to change our name as well. "Amorous" means love or passion in latin, it was appropriate for us since we all ... Read moreInterview with Manifested Travesty! July 17, 2014 Facebook Genre(s): Deathcore Location: Seattle, WA PSAB: Why did you choose the name "Manifested Travesty" for your band? MT: To Manifest a Travesty is to show a distorted view of something by one's appearance or acts. We try to write from that distorted view with our music and show things from the angle the public maybe didn't think about before. Plus it's got ... Read moreInterview with AnFallen! July 16, 2014 Facebook Genre(s): Metalcore Location: Bismarck PSAB: Where did the band name "AnFallen" come from exactly? AF: Ricky took a German class in high school and really just one day stumbled upon it in a dictionary. It's just a totally brutal word in the german language, meaning things of the sort, like savage, to assault, etc. It has a lot of different uses. ... Read moreInterview with Til Death We Rise! July 14, 2014 Facebook Genre(s): Death Metal Location: Desoto, MO PSAB: Where did the band name "Til Death We Rise" come from exactly? Derrick: I came up with the name back in my freshmen year, but never used it until this band got together. PSAB: You're currently working on a new album titled Anthems of Oblivion. When can we expect to hear anything from that album? Paul: Were just finishing up ... Read moreInterview with Lost Without Direction! July 11, 2014 Facebook Genre(s): Progressive Metalcore/Djent Location: Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany PSAB: Why did you choose the name "Lost Without Direction" for your band?LWD: Because we have been "lost without direction". We founded the band and had no idea in which direction this project will go. The name really fits, we even need google maps in our hometownarea! PSAB: You're currently ... Read moreInterview with Upon Our Rise! July 7, 2014 Facebook Genre(s): Ambient/Progressive/Melodic Deathcore Location: Manasota PSAB: Where did the name"Upon Our Rise" come from exactly? UOR: I believe ourguitarist Luke came up with it. It's been so long I can barely remember. PSAB: Your EP The Humanity Defect isset to release July 15th. What can we expect from this upcoming EP? UOR: The best way to describe itI would say is a little bit of everything, ... Read moreInterview with Faithful Synthesis! July 1, 2014 Facebook Genre(s): Metalcore/Deathcore Location: Joliette/Montreal PSAB: Why did you choose the name "Faithful Synthesis" for your band? FS: In an abstract way, we chose this name to refer to an egocentric predicament; the fact of not being able to change one's mind when shown evidence or not being able to understand others perspectives. To fail to perceive other view points and also ... Read moreInterview with Combaticus! June 30, 2014 Facebook Genre(s): Deathcore/Groove/Slam Location: Rapid City, South Dakota PSAB: Where did you get the band name "Combaticus" from? Combaticus: Combaticus is a fictional character from the adult swim show Superjail. He is the ultimate killing machine, but in the end he sacrifices himself to save his creators and ascends to the stars as the new god of war. It's a pretty ridiculous show but ... Read moreInterview with Forsythia! June 24, 2014 Facebook Genre(s): Melodic Deathcore Location: Nampa, ID PSAB: Why did you choose the name "Forsythia" for your band? Forsythia: At the time we were having a lot of trouble coming up with something original, and overall just something that would be short and simple. Besides being a breed of plant, It actually came up in a movie we were watching at the ... Read moreInterview with Cadence Calling! June 22, 2014 Facebook Genre(s): Metalcore Location: Toronto, ON PSAB: Why did you choose the name "Cadence Calling" for your band? CC: We chose Cadence Calling as our band name first and foremost because we thought it sounded cool. Also in musical terminology the cadence is the end of a phrase in music so we took that concept, applied it to the name and came up ... Read moreInterview with Consumption! June 21, 2014 Twitter Genre(s): Deathcore Location: Idaho PSAB: Where did the band name "Consumption" come from exactly? Gage: Consumption was originally called Consumption of an Afterbirth. We changed the name because we wanted to take the project seriously. We couldn't be taken as seriously as we wanted with a name as ridiculous as Consumption of an Afterbirth. Jordan: It was all a joke band back then.. ... Read moreInterview with Overcoming The End! June 16, 2014 Facebook Genre(s): Metalcore/Progressive Location: Berlin, EU PSAB: Where did the band name "Overcoming The End" come from exactly? OTE: We have had many difficult situations in our lifes. One year ago, our old band disbanded because of personel reason between our members. I wasn't even sure, if we both would make music together again. we had many complicated situations ... Read moreInterview with Avenge The Sin! June 15, 2014 Facebook Genre(s): Deathcore Location: Cairns, QLD PSAB: Where does the band name "Avenge The Sin" come from exactly? ATS: The name Avenge The Sin came from us throwing out words that we thought sounded cool, because we had a gig coming up and no name and we were really desperate for one and it kinda stuck, its kind of a love hate ... Read moreInterview with Intervoid! June 14, 2014 Facebook Genre(s): Progressive/Technical Death Metal Location: Ohio PSAB: Why did you choose "Intervoid" for your band name? Intervoid: Besides being the primary definition of effective crack growth occurring by plastic collapse, i.e. purely geometric softening of the intervoid ligaments without incorporating material separation? Band names are hard to develop, especially when you're trying to not take "verb the noun" approach. How many bands ... Read moreInterview with Captive Eyes! June 11, 2014 Facebook Genre(s): Hardcore/Metalcore Location: Richmond, VA PSAB: Where does the band name "Captive Eyes" come from? CE: Our name is based off the original name our drummer and rhythm guitarist came up with when they formed the band, but when our vocalist joined he altered it to be we have now. And basically we tell people that the name Captive Eyes means ... Read moreInterview with Stillness Before The Storm! June 9, 2014 Facebook Genre(s): Metalcore Location: Parker, CO PSAB: Why did you choose the name "Stillness Before The Storm" for your band? SBTS: To be quite honest when we picked the name we weren't quite thinking about how we might be able to fit that title, we just kinda picked something that sounded different than other metalcore bands in the scene. Now we feel like ... Read more<<1234567891011...15>>


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I coached competitive cheerleading and gymnastics for thirteen years. I consider myself to be a "people" person. I have experience working one on one with individuals motivating and encouraging them to strive for excellence. Nothing excites me more than to see someone achieve his/her goals with my assistance. I enjoy exercising! It makes me feel good about myself, so I decided to become a personal trainer to share that same feeling with others. Teaching my clients the importance of fitness and nutrition is a great step for them towards a healthier lifestyle and will help increase longevity. I want my clients to understand that being active is not short-term or something you do once in a blue moon, it's a way of life! As a wife and mother of two boys I instill these same values with my family.
As a trainer, I would like to help my clients build strength, increase flexibility and endurance, as well as lose weight and shed inches. I am here to motivate and encourage my clients to maintain consistency, this will in return increase their self-confidence. Most importantly, I will show my clients how fun exercising can be. It does take a lot of hard work, but well worth it in the end. I believe I can help my clients live a happy, healthy, and long life.
"I was born to teach. With a natural down to earth approach, I make it easy for anyone to achieve his/her goals. I provide the person you look for in a personal trainer with commitment and values that benefit your body and your life."
- Cooper Institute of Aerobic Research: Certified Physical Fitness Specialist
- CPR Certified


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Many visit Kyoto with a lengthy list of temples and shrines, but that's not all Kyoto has to offer. From kaiseki meals to trendy cafes, Kyoto blends tradition with modernity. I've always wanted to write a 36 hours itinerary so as the Japanese say when asked for a recommendation, here are my オススメ (o-su-su-me).
8 a.m. Breakfast at 進々堂 Shinshindo
Nothing is more comforting than the smell of melty butter and coffee brewing in the morning. Whipping up some of the freshest breads in town, Shinshindo Teramachi makes for a great breakfast stop. The original Shinshindo was founded in 1930 and is an iconic Kyoto institution located across from Kyoto University campus. Like many great cafes around the world, Shinshindo was a place for students and activists to congregate for political and social debates throughout the decades. The founder of Shinshindo, Hitoshi Tsuzuki, wanted to provide authentic French…
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On this date, 30 April 1997, 11-year-old Sarah Patterson was murdered by Bobby Wayne Woods. He was executed by lethal injection in Texas on 3 December 2009. Let us not forget Sarah and thank God that another child killer was executed.
Sarah Patterson
Summary: In the early morning hours Woods went to the home of his ex-girlfriend, Schwana Patterson, 35, who had had kicked him out a few days earlier. Her two children, 11-year-old Sarah and 9-year-old Cody, were sleeping inside. Woods crawled through an open window into the children's bedroom. He grabbed Sarah's foot and began beating her chest, then sexually molested her. Woods then forced both children to leave through the window in their nightclothes, put them in his car, and drove to a cemetery. There, he beat and stomped Cody on the head and strangled him. With Cody unconscious, Woods then drove away with Sarah. Cody survived. Based on Cody's statement, police found Woods and asked him where Sarah was, hoping to find her alive. Woods answered, "You will not find her alive. I cut her throat." He then led them to her body.
QUOTE 1: "I'm not a person that likes harm done to anybody, but I believe in justice being done," Larry Patterson said after watching his daughter's killer die. "She had no choice. She didn't get a second chance."
QUOTE 2: "I put this behind me a lot of years ago," said Cody Patterson, now 21, who stood outside the prison and chose not to see Woods die. "It has been a long time coming. I'm glad to know it's done. I knew it was going to be done sooner or later. "I seen his picture... That's all I wanted to see," he said, adding that he recovered from his injuries and that nightmares about the attack have stopped, but that he still had "the scars on the back of my head."
AUTHOR: Family members of Sarah Patterson, who was murdered by Bobby Wayne Woods on April 30, 1997. He was executed by lethal injection in Texas on December 3, 2009.


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Corporate Goals/Outcomes
Outcomes Survey Process
Thank you for your participation in Girl Scouts! GSSWT continuously
measures how girls benefit from participation in Girl Scouting.
Measurements include program evaluations, resident camp surveys,
service unit event reports, troop activity reports and direct outcomes
Continuous feedback is important to GSSWT in order to ensure the best leadership experience for girls. In addition to improving program and volunteer support, the council conducts outcome studies because donors and contributors ask for evidence of the impact of Girl Scouting. Total public support, including United Way allocations, contributions and special events and grants totaled $1,988,005 in 2015. Participation in this study ensures that our council continues to receive the necessary United Way, foundation, and public support needed to help girls in Southwest Texas continue to make the world a better place.
Before taking a survey, to ensure that GSSWT is able to accurately include your survey information, visit Girl Scout Voices . Visiting this website gives girls the chance to be a part of the GSSWT panel where GSSWT can communicate with girls strictly for the development of programs through surveys.
The survey questions ask girls to respond to several statements about themselves and Girl Scouts. Typical statements include:
- I think learning new things is fun.
- Everyone gets along during Girl Scout activities.
- I tell the truth even if it gets me into trouble.
- It is important to focus on the good side of people.
All answers are kept confidential!
To complete survey online, simply click on the survey title below. Click on PDF to print paper copies and submit completed surveys to Customer Care, ATTN: Teen Girl Experience Specialist at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Remember to visit Girl Scout Voices before completing any of the surveys below.
|Outcomes Pre Surveys
|Girl Scout Daisy
|Girl Scout Senior
|Girl Scout Brownie
|Girl Scout
|Girl Scout Junior
Scout Cadette
|Outcomes Post Surveys
Scout Daisy
Scout Senior
Scout Brownie
Scout Ambassador
Scout Junior
Scout Cadette
|Gamma Sigma Girls & Pearls Surveys
|Pre Surveys
|Post Surveys


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Why do so Many People Like Golf?
If it seems these days that more people like golf than ever before, and it might come as a surprise to many people if you look back at its humble origins. Golf originated in Scotland, where the King at that time,James II, temporarily banned it, because his army was missing military aged males who were obsessed with the game. In those far off days, golf was played with sticks and pebbles over a natural landscape.
In the 16th century, the game of golf left Scotland for other countries. King Charles I of England and Mary Queen of Scots are credited with spreading golf to England and France, respectively. Mary Queen of Scots had French military cadets assisting her in the game, who were referred to as "caddies." The term stuck and still stands to the present day, and those who like golf know that a caddie not only cares for the golf clubs, but is also an adviser who helps a golfer choose a club and strategy on shots.
Going International
While golf was a game played by royalty in its early history, during the Industrial Revolution, golf clubs and balls became mass produced and cheap enough for many others to play. In the mid-1800s, national and international golf championships were founded in countries from England to the United States and even India, and then in 1900, golf became an Olympic sport. These days people enjoy taking golf holidays and there are plenty affordable golf packages, and the sport is set tobecome even more appealing than ever.
These days, golf aficionados are enjoying golf for a number of reasons. The rolling green courses are landscaped not only for technical golfing challenges, but for their aesthetics. Trees and lakes provide not only pleasure for the eye, but a natural environment for animals, including birds, squirrels, fish, and in some states like Florida, even alligators! In a time of metropolises and suburbs, the open-air,golf course is a well needed break andtonic.
18 Holes
Along with the pleasant serenity of a golf course, people also enjoy playing golf because of the obvious exercise. A course consists of 18 holes, and can be long or short to accommodate all different levels of skill. Short courses can be easily walked, whilst the longer courses are usually travelled around in an electric golf car. Even so, a golfer must walk from the cart to the ball for every shot, which ends up amounting to an amount of exercise many people never do.
Golf may seem like an easy game, but it is highly technical. Getting the swing just perfect makes all the difference in sending that little ball flying from the tee. Getting it on to the green requires another set of skills, which includes having a sharp eye, choosing the right line, and applying just the right amount of strength.
With its popularity steadily rising and being a game that simply anyone can learn to play, expect to see golf get even more popular in the future.


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Reelmotion Ltd is a Milton Keynes based production company. Formed in 2014 we help both small and large businesses engage audiences and create awareness about their products and services.
With a scaleable team of freelance professionals we are able to bring experience from all aspects of video production to your company. We strongly believe that the best way to achieve success in this industry is to listen and fully understand our clients requirements before making content for them. This way we can ensure that each and every video produced is tailored exactly to our clients specific needs.
Whether its a one-off video or supporting your business' video marketing strategies, we understand the importance of partnerships and achieving your specific marketing objectives. With capabilities from idea creation and content strategy right through to delivery of finished video and online content, we elevate your brand and engage your audience through great content.


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Nurses Corner
Forms from the Nurse
Forms from the Nurse
(Click the form)
Message from Mrs. St. Laurent...
Message from Mrs. St. Laurent...
Please remember to send an updated immunization record for your child(ren).
Fevers over 100 degrees, vomiting or diarrhea will need to be dismissed from school and can return if fever free without tylenol or motrin for 24 hours.
If your child(ren) need any medication, including over the counter (OTC), please have prescribing doctor send the order from - fax is ok (207) 786-0787.
It is also a great idea to send you child to school with a spare set of clothes!
Contact Information:
Beth St. Laurent, RN
397 Minot Avenue
Auburn, ME 04210


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You probably know that retail is the sale of goods to users, not for resale, but for consumption by the purchaser.
But do you know why this industry is so important for marketers?
Retail businesses are important because they are the final link between manufactures and consumers. These businesses have the vital job of making the purchase of goods easy for consumers. There are several ways to do this, but one of the most important in this day in age is the use of social media – specifically social listening. This can happen in two important ways.
1. Listen to Questions and Concerns.
Social networks give retail brands the opportunity to form a relationship with the customers. They can do this through engagement and customer service. With every new product, service, store or sale, a company is likely being discussed on social media. Social media users value immediacy and expect quick responses. When they have a problem or a question, they want an answer – and fast. Retailers can help consumers have a positive experience and lead them toward a sale (and another sale) by answering their questions and helping them when they have a problem. They can make consumers' shopping experience much easier by telling them what they want to know before making the purchase.
If customers are left in the dark and have unanswered questions, it is likely that you won't make the sale. You know what they say, "Make a friend first and a sale second." Retailers can begin doing this by monitoring social mentions across all networks.
2. Listen to What People Want
Along with listening to customers' questions or concerns, retail companies also have the opportunity of listening to what they like and delivering more of a similar product/service. Social media tools give retailers the opportunity to personalize the consumer-seller experience. This is becoming especially important in the use of social ads.
Last year during the Christmas season, I was searching for a watch to buy for my dad. I had Googled "watches," looked on Amazon, looked on websites, everything. All of a sudden, I started seeing ads on social media for watches. It made my shopping so much easier! I was much more likely to click on the ad because it was something I was actually looking for. Plus, I found a watch I liked and ended up buying form from one of the ads.
Retail companies can benefit from this greatly. As they personalize their content and make shopping easier for consumers, they are more likely to get a sale.
Social media and social listening are great ways to interact with your customers and learn what they really want. You can make your customers' shopping experience much easier – but only if you're listening.


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Japanese firm Hitachi introduced a humanoid robot named Emiew, who claimed the company is the most bystroperemeschayuschimsya a robot created to date. Thus the company wants to challenge the robot Asimo (Honda) and Qrio (Sony).
Height robot 1.3m. To move use 2 wheels instead of legs. The company decided to "withdraw" from the legs, because trying to create just a useful robot that can coexist with the man, not a robot that moves slower than the man himself. The speed of the robot reaches 3.7km/chas. Sensors are installed on the head, torso and near the wheels. Vocabulary robot is 100 words, which they may speak through a speech synthesizer.


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Start-ups: dead or alive
- Maryam Mazraei - Autopsy
- Matt Jonns - Ucreate
We, as Producers, didn't really set-out to do this…but it just so happens that we've got a start-up special podcast for you.
Our guests this week have lived through the highs and lows of being a start-up and base their current businesses around those trials and tribulations.
We hope it's not the case but the first half of the podcast could scare people away from building a business (both guests are big advocates of starting your own business). Maryam Mazraei has compiled a list of failed start-ups through her company Autopsy, rather than being a scare though – it was actually an extremely educational discussion and is a great pointer of the things to avoid when going into business.
Matt Jonns is also used to working with start-ups, but successful ones! He founded Ucreate - A startup studio for non-tech founders who want to build ambitious tech businesses. They have helped over 20 businesses to build and launch so far – and that number is sure to keep rising.


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the scalper in my area that i do trades with has five but wouldnt let me get one...it is a cool set, save that windu. i want four.
I went out looking for these this past weekend, but they were all in the back, and I wasn't about to waste 30 minutes tracking down an employee and waiting for him to find it.
Meh, I havent found one. Is the airborne trooper based on the #6 Rots troop? If he is I'm gonna pass because I dont like the looks of the troops either.
I got this set for one reason and one reason only. The man purse. The 1st ever bonafied Star Wars issued man purse.
These are on sale in my area, a dollar off. This helped my get another set when they started telling me that they couldn't bring them out until the reset. I suggested that they have an item on sale and are refusing to honor the sale. They couldn't argue against it.Also, I'm kind of disappointed in the "Fox" clone, the helmet keeps pushing off.
I also noted that many of the figures had real stiff ankles and could've snapped easily. I heated some of the ankles in hot water too, to just loosen them up a bit so they didn't snap at the pin. Be careful guys.
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