text:
Results tagged ' Grant Balfour '
What If………..
"What if…….."
Some say that is the first phrase uttered by those in denial or left wanting for an answer. Two words shouted to the heavens asking for some divine or intelligent intervention into how their beloved team could have fallen this far from their past grace and the lofty expectations transposed on this team even before they began play in April.
No one who follows, plays for or works with the Tampa Bay Rays could of possibly imagined this stark reality that would be evident about this team's 2014 campaign 5 months later. No matter the Rays rise or fall during these terse 6 months, no one envisioned the team not playing for anything in the last 10-odd games of their season.
So maybe it is time to possibly throw out some opinions, rely on some facts and maybe come to terms with a season that sent us on a pure emotional rollercoaster ride to the greatest heavens and at time tumbling right back down to Earth with the stark realization that sweat, talent and confidence are not the sole catalysts to winning games.
Remember as you read this, it is only my personal guesswork and not a certification of the direction the team will take, should of taken or will entertain this winter….It is just my humble words thrown out for everyone to dissect into a million characters. Enjoy.
What if the Rays had signed free agent Nelson Cruz as their Designated Hitter? Would he have duplicated his 2014 season in Carolina Blue?
This was actually a question someone asked me on Sunday and it does have merit, but I think besides the steroid residue that would have followed Cruz here to Tampa Bay, the $8 million the Orioles paid Cruz might have been a bit steep for the Rays to handle financially. Plus the Rays Clubhouse culture might not have been a good fit for Cruz, but we also will never know if he could of adjusted and been a key component of this year's squad.
Who knows, Cruz should be a free agent after the season, and with him showing he can still power the ball as well as be steroid free, the Rays would kick the tires, but even with Cruz's current '14 resume of 39 HR and 106 RBI (as of 9/22) it might not be enough as a '15 salary seeking $ 9-10 million and someone wearing his favorite #23 jersey (Jake Odorizzi should quickly end the Rays interest.
What if Jeremy Hellickson, Alex Cobb and Matt Moore had stayed injury free?
Wow! Without a shadow of a doubt this team would have been different. Would it have been enough change to possibly change the end of the season outcome…..Without a doubt, but I'm a card carrying optimist.
But that doesn't mean I would be calling out another revival of rising to the Rays 2008 level, or anticipated the backward tumble of 2009. I hate to admit it, but a few good things did happen for the Rays rotation because of those setbacks.
We found out the true fire and nature of Chris Archer, Cobb when he got healthy took the reins and never let go possibly posting one of the 6 best ERA (with possibly 2 starts to go) in the American League….And we saw the maturation process that beset Jake Ordorizzi from rookie nerves and indecision to transforming into a true 5th starter for this team.
What if we had held onto David Price instead of trading him to Detroit?
This is a question that will take a few more seasons before we know the true essence of this trade. I am also one of those anxious to see how young prospect Willy Adames advances in the Rays farm system. Also a post Trade Deadline Price has produced a 3-4 record and a 4.09 ERA (possibly 2 more starts) since the trade, the Southpaw sent as a left-handed option for the Rays rotation has been pretty Price-like. Drew Smyly posted a 3-1 record with a 1.70 ERA while also putting up 44 K's on 47.2 innings.
I think this trade worked in the Rays future favor as Smyly is a salary friendly option and Adames is already viewed by some as a future Rays SS and he is still at the Class-A level.
What if Wil Myers had not missed 81 games with his wrist injury?
My ESPN Fantasy League stats predictions for Myers showed him posting numbers like: 81 runs, 25 HR, 91 RBI and a .267 average. At the beginning of 2014 he was owned by a majority of the teams in the leagues, but today only 35.3% of people have stuck with Myers.
His offensive output was missed extremely by the Rays, but his absence also got us a great introduction to some future Rays "Outlaw" ways. If you had to find any shining moment out of Myers pain it was the pure fact we got to see over 103+ games with Kevin Kiermaier on the squad. With them both playing together here in the latter days of the season, we might be witnessing transformation of the Rays outfield to a bit more speed and aggression in 2015.
What if Grant Balfour had retained that same fire and not lost some of his edge?
When Balfour signed that 2-year contract everyone was on his bandwagon. After a few stellar years showing his stuff on the West Coast with the A's, the Rays envisioned Balfour taking the back end of the Bullpen and stabilizing it while Jake McGee slowly moved his way to that spot.
Balfour's falling from grace and possibly a bit of "dead arm" for a spell pushed McGee into the spotlight and for a guy doing the closer's role for the first time, his game was more hit than miss. With Balfour taking a step back into a set-up role now I can see the Rays using him as bait to a team that might need a proven closer and potent rally killer. This is not to mean the Rays will accept small fish for Balfour, but he could easily be in another uniform if the right return can be found for him.
Okay, that is just a few of the "what If" trains of thought that were thrown my way during the last home stand. After these final 6 away games the Rays will conclude their season, return to the Trop and pack for home.
At that moment the questions will immediately change from "What if" to "What can we expect" as we begin another off season with question galore and many 2015 answers to ponder.
What direction can we expect the Rays to go?….T B D.
Peering Through the Rays Looking Glass- Hurlers
Rays "Man about the Stands" Todd Kalas has informed us all that with a Kansas City or Oakland win tonight (9/19/14), the Rays will be mathematically eliminated from any more post season banter in 2014.
With that in mind, it is time for the second installment of "Peering through the Rays Looking Glass" and focus today on the Rays pitching corps for 2015.
Going into the spring of 2015 this has to be one of the most secure spots within the Rays organization, but there are some changes that could, should or will happen before the boys again unpack their gear in Port Charlotte in February 2015.
So let's start with the obvious first here. The Rays rotation might need a few tweaks, but there also might be an omission or deletion before the team again assembles for that yearly pre-Spring pep talk by Joe Ma on the green grass.
I definitely have been hearing great things on the progress of Matt Moore in his rehab and come spring, I consider him 1-L on the Rays starting rotation chart. Sure that might seem funny to some, but has been the case here in Tampa Bay for some time, there are 2 starters who deserve that # 1 position heading into 2015.
Of course I have already assigned one half of that equation to Moore, and it only seem appropriate and totally earned that Alex Cobb will be the Rays 1-R or top right-handed option heading into next season. I'm not going to attach either to a #1 or #2 slot basically because I'm not sure yet which kind of order the Rays Front Office and Rays Manager Joe Maddon and Rays Pitching Coach Jim Hickey envision to be the best fit.
That being said, these two names will be at the top of the chart no matter the decision, and that decision will also fully decide the 3-5 slots also.
Just as the Rays #1 and #2 Rays pitching matchups are probably months away from being in some sort of concrete mode, the Rays # 3 and #4 spots might also be a total guess work right now and are totally interchangeable at this moment.
But even with that in mind, Rays left-hander Drew Smyly and Chris Archer should definitely be more than penciled in as the Rays middle rotation guys with either taking the #3 or #4 slot possibly based on a L-R-L-R rotation mix or Maddon could go L-R-R-L giving the Rays possibly a southpaw in every series being blanketed by a tough right-hander.
Even though Jake Odorizzi produced a very respectable 2014 season and popped out great starts throughout 2004, I suspect he will face a nice dose of competition this spring to hold onto the Rays 5th rotation spot. I can easily imagine Merrill Kelly, Alex Colome and possibly a veteran being signed by the Rays on the cheap to battle it out in spring training for this last rotation slot.
As Maddon always says, "Pitching sets the tone" again in 2015 on just how far or how low the Rays end up early or late in the American League East standings.
You might notice I did not include Jeremy Hellickson this rotation list. I think that this winter the Rays will definitely offer him up as a trade piece not only because he seems a bit injury prone, but because his salary is only going to rise and he might not be the solid investment for the Rays he was just 2 seasons ago. I would not be surprised if a change of scenery sparks Hellboy back into a frenzy quite possibly to the heights experienced by former Rays P Scott Kazmir this year in Oakland.
Unlike Price, Hellboy has not seen his stock rise in value the last few years and it might be time for the Rays to let Hellickson try another vista and re-establish himself.
Some have labeled 2014 a disaster year for the Rays because of their less than .500 overall record and their lack of offensive excellence, but the Rays found out in 2014 that this young staff will step up, will compete and will produce wins even with a less than desired run support by the field players.
But there is also another set of hurlers who will have a say in 2015 and just how far and fast the Rays can rebound again to regain their winning ways.
Leftie Jake McGee has more than shown us in 2014 that he has the right stuff to be our last line of defense, but some of the other pieces of the Rays Bullpen puzzle might have bigger question marks after lackluster 2014 seasons.
Bruce Boxberger's pitching arm definitely will get him another shot in 2015 to stay at the M L B level, and if he can stay consistent, his spot on the Rays roster can only grow more secure with each great outing.
Even though Grant Balfour has another year on his contract with the Rays, he might be a nice piece of bait to wiggle out there for a team that needs a veteran closer who never lets his baseball fires burn out. I like Balfour and his fire, but the money spent on him could be used to bring in 2 relief pieces and with a team that will be pinching pennies 'til they scream, Balfour is a cautiously expendable commodity that could be in high demand somewhere else this winter.
You might think the Rays might have an easy decision to make this winter on Joel Peralta, who has been a fine set-up piece for the team. Starting this winter, the Rays hold 3 different club options on Joel in 2015-17. I do not see Peralta going anywhere, but depending on the size of cuts the team will have to make on payroll heading into 2015, his worth to the Rays teeters more on the good side than bad.
Alex Colome, who is now out of minor league options could be key pieces to any 2015 realignment of the Rays bullpen. Colome could easily be either the Rays 5th starter, spot starter or just inherit the long reliever slot in the bullpen. Colome has at least 2 more starts in the Rays rotation in 2014, but an impressive 2015 spring could hoist his name easily as a 5th slot contender.
With young relievers like Steve Getz, Brandon Gomes, Jeff Beliveau, Cesar Ramos, Kirby Yate and even C J Riefenhauser getting time this year to impress the Rays in extended looks and chances in 2015, one of the Rays next waves of players being selected from the minors might have a definite reliever flavor.
Some might think the name of the Rays Reliever of the Year and current Durham Bulls closer Adam Liberatore should be pushed onto this list. Sure he will get a spring major league camp invite, but the Rays still have a hand full of minor league options on him and could bring him in more for seasoning and extended work with the M L B staff than promote him before quite possibly September 2015 or a more realistically during 2016.
An extended injury to McGee before 2016 could escalate his chances to gain a quicker M L B chance to impress during the regular season.
Sure the Rays will sign a few veteran and even productive name to spring camp, but I do see the Rays current young and hungry relievers fighting them off tooth and nail to be a part of the Rays machine come late March 2015.
Each of the above relievers should get a chance in the latter stages of 2014 to make impressions and even get a longer look this upcoming spring in the major league camp and it would not surprise me if more than 3 of them break camp with a 25-man secured spot.
The pure unadulterated strength of the Rays heading into 2015 is their great pitching and the depth of said commodity in their farm system.
This is a time where the Rays could find more than a few intricate pieces of their 2015 puzzle with very affordable and team controlled contracts that could help the team survive and thrive through the lower payroll expectation of 2015.
It is possible the team might look to shave $20-30 million this winter and if that does come to reality, Hellickson, Balfour and quite possibly Peralta might be the viable and most costly options that get more than a few long and hard looks as to their worth in the Rays pitching corps.
Was Wily Mr. O. Possum be the New Oakland Spirit Animal?
Native Americans believe that nine different spirit animals or totems are connected to us throughout our lives acting as guides to steer us towards events or occurrences that will define our lives. They believe these nine animals are with us for life and even as they all have their purpose, one is the lead animal that will show the way and provide moments of clarity and awareness. We now know that the opossum has to be one of the Oakland Athletic's nine focal spirit animals. And possibly with this white-faced creature showing itself to the assembled masses last night in the bottom of the 10th inning of a tied contest between the Tampa Bay Rays and the home town A's, his presence had to be the deciding element to sway the energies last night and provide a victory. It's the only logical reasoning for the way the bottom of the 10th inning played out for the Tampa Rays last night. For the Opossum spirit animal is a deceiver, a strategist and an animal that uses deception to his advantage now both on and off the baseball diamond. Whatever else could have caused such a rapid and defining chain of events that led to the A's snapping the Rays road winning streak with this very peculiar stage of events? I mean the Rays had the fiery ex-Athletic, current Rays reliever Grant Balfour growling on the hill, but somehow the elements did not favor the Aussie one tonight as he saw not one, but 2 consecutive hitters get out of the 0-2 hole and find solace upon the base paths. The first Oakland hitter Alberto Callaspo saw 4 pitches before lining out to left for the first out of the inning. The inning started to look a bit uneventful for the A's. Then all bets seemed to be off as our opossum made his appearance strutting down the outfield wall in left field to his favorite cubbyhole just after Balfour's first pitch to someone the O-town locals call "Super Sam" ( wonder where they got that name) Fuld. Possibly the opossum occurrence inspired Fuld who was down 0-2 at the moment on 2 straight called strikes. Fuld then found his pitch and deposited it into center field to become the A's first base runner of the inning. Opossum 1, Rays 0. Then another former Rays, this time a chap named John Jaso swung mightily at 2 straight Balfour offerings as Balfour again had another A's batter down 0-2 before Jaso, possibly through the vision of the opossum, gained a bit of serenity and somehow secured himself a free pass to First base via a walk. Opossum 2, Rays 0. The during the at bat by Oakland 3B Josh Donaldson we witnessed the usually steady defensive duo of Sean Rodriguez and Kevin Kiermaier somehow let a white sphere drop not in their gloves, but to the green turf down the left field line missing a golden opportunity to garner a much needed out from this A's and keep them from victory. Wonder if S-Rod or the Outlaw saw a opossum out of the corner of their eye, or possibly seated in the stands? Donaldson's at bat also produced a double whammy of not only reaching base by another walk by Balfour, but also via a deceived fourth ball that got Rays Manager Joe Maddon all ballistic and led to his eventual ejection from the contest by Home Plate Umpire Quinn Wolcott. Opossum 3, Rays 0. That set up a bases loaded situation with one out for the A's next batter, Brandon Moss. Unfortunately Moss ended up striking out setting up the possible walk-off scenario for the next hitter, Derek Norris. Balfour quickly got Norris behind in the count 0-2 before Norris followed Fuld's lead and hit a game-winning single into center field breaking the Rays road winning streak and sending the Aussie muttering to himself about lost opportunities. Sure the victory went to the A's that night, but somewhere, under the stands I can just see Mr O. Possum doing the "Dougie" knowing he might have helped by diverting just enough attention to deceive a win.
Rays Inspired World Cup Squad
It is the World's game. Only in our country does the sport heard 'round the World take second, third or maybe not even a fifth fiddle. The globe embraces the sport of football, or as we Americans have dubbed it, Soccer.
With our own United States men soccer team showing their grit and glory by winning their first matchup against Ghana in this year's World Cup last night, I thought it might be fun to pencil in my own Rays World Cup squad based on the current members of the Rays 25-Man roster.
Instantly most of you would wonder why a Baseball blogger would want to write and create a Soccer squad. From the age of 10 to 21 I played either as a Sweeper or on the left-side of the turf on local Men's leagues (FSSL), on the All-South select U-17 travel teams and spent my 16th summer in Malmo, Sweden working out with that vistas reserves team.
Heck if you look over at the blog photo on right you will see a photo of me playing indoor soccer, so I have the knowledge and know what it takes to play the game.
Of course the Club Rays team's Managers slot is already taken as you cannot discount the philosophical and game day rhetoric of Joe Maddon. Heck in a lot of ways he might even be a better communicator and guru to young minds than the current USA Manager Jurgen Kilinsman.
I decided this Rays Club needs to play a 4-3-3 alignment which is 4 defenders, 3 midfielders and 3 forwards. We all know the Rays claim to fame in the last few years have been defense, so a line with a left, center, right fullbacks and a sweeper manning the gaps seems as a perfect lineup to help keep games close and with minimal scoring (hopefully).
So let's start at the last line of defense, the goalkeeper position first. I am going to pick Ryan Hanigan as he has shown he has the ability to block balls in the dirt, move around with grace under pressure and will come out of goal and sacrifice his body for the team. Most people would think I might pick Jose Molina as a back-up, but I chose Alex Cobb as much for his leadership as for his attention to the little things and would be a great communicator back there.
That being said, my defense will also have a few wily Rays vets manning key spots, and even a few surprises to some people. My left fullback has to be someone committed to defense as well as have good sprinting speed to defend an opposing winger who is usually the fastest guy on the team with the ball.
For some reason Jake McGee fits that spot for me. He is a big body guy who should be able to keep his shoulder square to the ball and ride a winger off the ball if he wants to proceed towards the touchlines or the goal box. On the right side I'm going with a gut feeling that Yunel Escobar will be a mirror image of McGee and keep the crosses from getting to the goal mouth and has the closing speed to thwart long passes into the box.
Center fullback is a tough one. I want to get a big body in there, but more in height than in weight. For that reason I chose Grant Balfour who at 6'2" has a bit of a nasty streak, highly competitive and if he chats to the ball, that might scare a few opposing forwards from going up the middle of the pitch. As long as he keeps his back to the goal, I think the snarling Aussie should shut down any middle of the field dribbling and long range shots.
As for the sweeper position I wanted to give that slot to someone who can be both an offensive and defensive weapon. Someone who can be that 4th utility defender as well as crash up into the offensive zone for corner kicks, help take free kicks and set a few boomers toward the goal. Perfect weapon for this Rays Club squad would be Sean Rodriguez.
Now onto midfield, or the engine room of this team. We already know Evan Longoria will wear the Captain's band and has the grit and stamina to man the center midfield slot and his ability to give out orders and command respect will have opposing defenders marking him tight, so I want my outside midfielders to have a burst of speed and great ball skills.
My selection for left mid will be James Loney. I picked him as much for consistency as for his bursts of power which on free kicks or fouls way outside the box his kicks could free Longoria and the forwards to jockey for inside position on the opposing defense. My right midfielder would have to be Ben Zobrist. I do not know if Zorilla is ambidextrous on the soccer field, but if he was he would be a great fit to the usual attacking side of the field and could center passes or do flanking moves or U-runs down the line for crosses into box.
That leaves the forwards line. Here I'm going for the tall man in the box and shifty runners down the outsides or who can change directions and do crafty diagonals into the box for short chips, passes or provide ball in the air for headers.
So with me wanting to capitalize on speed, it is no secret the left wing has to be Kevin Kiermaier who seems to have a sixth sense to getting into position for the right play and who is one of those players who brings a new level of excitement to the team.
Right wing has to be another speedster as I pencil in Desmond Jennings for this slot and will call upon his quick first burst for great offensive moves and set plays. Add to the fact Jennings did play in that other brand of football, I think he will be a great target in the air for headers and taking a defender out of his position for scoring opportunities at the top of the goal box.
That only leaves the center spot. I had to go with someone here who has leadership, respect and plays on a different level at times. The obvious and clear choice for this spot was David Price. One of the glaring reasons is his 6'6" frame can rise a good 3-4 inches above most defenders for headers and I think he has the foot skills and dexterity to pull off picture perfect passes and provide 110% throughout the contest.
Of course this Rays team will have great and skilled substitutes on the bench like Chris Archer, Jeremy Hellickson, Matt Moore, Joel Peralta, and I might add Bullpen Catcher Scott Cursi to the mix as we all need a true "enforcer" on our soccer team.
I know there will be debate about my choices, but I think this squad could do some real damage on the pitch, provide some spectacular scoring chances and picture perfect goals as well as keep the score low and within reach of the Rays offensive unit. Well it's time for me to set the ball on the middle dot and get this Rays Club team going. Besides, you can always vent your thought at Rays Soccer Night Friday, June 20th.
What? I wasn't going to sit on the sidelines and watch this team, I would make the perfect Referee plus I want to see this match at ground zero, not in the stands. And besides, St. Petersburg,Florida like the Rays is home to the 2-time North American Soccer League Champions, the Tampa Bay Rowdies who play on the Rays old Spring home. Florida Progress/Al Lang Field.
Now if I can just get the linesmen to keep Jonny Gomes from running onto the turf, we would be golden.
Rays Photo Day Shows Both Sides of the Rays Personalities
You never quite know what sensibilities are going to "play out" when the Tampa Bay Rays let photographers bring about their own illuminations on the team's character, or is that characters. You only have to look back to the Feb. 25, 2010 Rays Photo Day shots where the photographer that day used the natural sunlight of Florida as sparkling and illumination points on the photos of that season squad.
Sure they were embarking on a new strand of light called the post season that spring and the Sun made more than a few spectacular effects in a variety of photos from that spring's squad. Then in 2013 it seems the Rays photos were a bit more subdued than usual with some playful spots of individuality, but the photos overall seemed to illustrate a unison or harmony among the troops.
Of the 26 photos already released from the Rays 2014 Photo Day, there is again a underlying theme that clearly is visible and unique all to the Rays way of team chemistry. This spring photos show a calm, a essence of a more tranquil and centered squad of players who see that goal in the cross-hairs and calmly and professionally plan to be the team that "eats last" come November 2014.
You see a more relaxed Papa Longoria with the Rays leadership crown solidly planted upon his head along with fellow Clubhouse General David Price presenting himself quite Zen-like in his photos awaiting the approaching Opening Day more with zeal than strife.
But then you have the other side of the Rays coin also displayed in the type of Gasparilla-infused notions and action of Rays reliever Josh Lueke both in his biting of a baseball, to juggling and possibly showing that some fun must come with all the stress of competing and delivering your goal.
I enjoy seeing the fight and fire as well as the comedic notions that make up a M L B team. Not everyone can be serious all of the time and sometimes that moment of tongue-in-cheek humor or even dawning a gladiator's mask can deliver more energy and fight into a group than any Knute Rockne oratory.
The Ying and Yang of this year's released Photo Day shots also shows the ebb and flow that will ultimately exist within the Rays this year as leaders and jokers can come together tone their antics and abilities to the highest achievement levels and produce memories and events that we will speak about for years.
From the high points of Longoria who with a consistent effort in 2014 should ultimately by-pass and become the sole Rays all-time leaders in such categories as HR, RBI, Extra Base Hits, doubles and Slugging Percentage before the end of 2014 to Myers who will again be called on provide the same kind of energy, production and raw unharnessed spirit that saw him take home an American League Rookie of the Year trophy, this team will rise and fall on both the chill moments and chaotic scrambles that make up a 162-game campaign.
Sure this is but only a 26 frame cross-section of the character and characters of that will become the heart and soul of the 2014 edition of the Rays, but if this is any indication of what we might have in store for us for a 162 game haul…..I'm ready to buckle in and take the rough with the fun for it's almost time for the games to matter and I can't wait for that last day in March………..But I don't think Lueke will have to eat too many balls this year because this team looks and sounds hungry enough to push it to that last meal….and maybe have room for a champagne-infused dessert.
All photos taken by Zimbio.com photographers. They do so many other M L B teams photos each spring. Search their website for your team's spring photos. I do have a Facebook link with the latest 26 and any additional Rays Photo Day shots I find past the submitting of this blog post.
Tasty 2014 Rays Media Guide Tidbits: Rays Bullpen
As I have mentioned before, the day I get to check out the Tampa Bay Rays new edition of their Media Guide is a day filled with adventure, intrigue and maybe even a little whimsical fun. Glancing over the awesome moments of our brood of baseball buddies always bring to light moment uncaught by our eyes and ears in the stands and produce stats and figures we never really realized for our guys who battle upon the turf.
So I decided to stay in the hurler mode today for my 2nd installment of the special career notes and humanitarian efforts of our firemen down on the First Base line who we affectionately know as the Bullpen. Depending on the type of relief corps your team possesses, they can either give you a warm feeling or outright panic when a starter begins to show fatigue.
Lucky for us here in Tampa Bay our relievers have shown more pluses than minuses over the last few season, but glitches do happen. Also we do not know yet if the Rays will carry 11 or 12 pitchers going into the season, so I'll just take a coin flip and list the 6 guys I think might comprise the 'Pen and a few names to possibly watch this spring.
Jake McGee: Jake and his wife Morgan went a bit "Italiano" this past November visiting Venice, Milan and George Clooney's hangout Lake Como. During Christmas Eve this past year, Jake and his wife also visited local foster families in Reno, Nevada and provided the kids with Christmas gifts.
McGee is 2013 ranked second in the M L B among reliever southpaws with an average fastball velocity of 96.3 mph. The mark was the highest among American League leftie relievers. McGee also posted up second among all M L B relievers with throwing a fastball on 93 percent of his pitches. Makes sense McGee has been working on a few additional pitches this off-season to keep hitters guessing in 2014.
Brandon Gomes: Took the LSAT after graduating from Tulane and if he wasn't playing professional baseball, Gomes would have attended Law School and pursued a career in law or finance.
Even though Gomes only appeared 26 times in 2013 due to a right lat. Strain which sidelined him for 88 games, he did go 3-1 last season and split his season almost down the middle 14 games before/ 12 games after returning) between his injury stint. Could be a pitcher to watch this spring as he wants to show the Rays he is durable and consistent.
Cesar Ramos: He learned English at a bilingual preschool in Los Angeles, Calif. His parents immigrated from Chihuahua, Mexico 34 years ago seeking a better opportunity for their family. Cesar also has sister named Elena.
16 of Ramos 47 appearances in 2013 were 2 innings or longer which was the 4th highest number in the American League and most by a Rays reliever since J P Howell's 23 in 2008. Ramos also secured his first M L B save after throwing 3 scoreless innings in Cleveland on May 31st.
Joel Peralta: Considered quitting baseball in 2002 following a demotion from Double-A Arkansas to Class-A Cedar Rapids while with the Angels. His older brother Frank persuaded him to stick with it and Joel responded by going 5-0 with 21 saves and a .95 ERA with the Kernels (THANKS Frank!).
Peralta led the majors in 2013 with 80 relief appearances, which puts in 2nd overall in Rays history behind Randy Choate (85 in 2010). It was Peralta's 3rd straight season of 70+ appearances (227 over 3 seasons) and the cherry on top is Peralta led all M L B relievers with 41 Holds in 2013.
Heath Bell: Who knew the All-Star closer was also such a force in the kitchen? Bell made 24 gingerbread houses from scratch for his kids school. Heath hopes to meet Duffy, the Ace of Cakes this year when the Rays travel to Baltimore and would like to compete on the Food Network pastry competition show Sweet Genius someday.
Pitched in 69 games last season for the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was his 7th consecutive season of 60+ appearances. Ranked 3rd among M L B closers in saves (166) over the last 5 seasons. With Mariano Rivera now retired, only Philadelphia closer Jonathan Papelbon (173) remains in contention for the overall top spot.
Grant Balfour: Most people might not know Grant's father after completing his rugby career became a leader in developing and promoting Australian baseball and served as the G M of the Sydney Blue Sox before retiring last August.
Grant saved a career high 38 games last season with only 3 blown saves. Over his last 24 appearances in 2013, Balfour had a 92.7 percent save percentage, 4th best in the AL and in A's team history. He beat out his own 92.4 percent mark set in 2012 for the 4th spot. Converted 62 of 67 (92.5 %) save chances over the past 2 seasons.
Juan Carlos Oviedo: He might be one of the biggest question marks this spring in regards to the Bullpen. The team took a gamble on 2013 by signing him while he was rehabbing after a Tommy John's surgery. They released him in the off-season, but quickly resigned him and invited him to spring camp. If healthy and firing on all cylinders this spring, could be a factor in the team's Bullpen makeup and possibly send someone above away in a late spring trade.
Oviedo logged 92 saves from 2009-11. That total was 8th best in the M L B at that time and ranked him 3rd on the Miami Marlins all-time save list.
His last time pitching in a professional games was July 14, 2013 while with the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs.
As always, do not discount the names of Jeff Beliveau, Brad Boxberger, C J Riefenhauser, Josh Lueke or even Kirby Yates of not making noise in supplanting one of the above pitchers for a spot on the Rays 25-man roster. Even if none of these names make the final roster before Opening Day, their names will again be heard possibly at some point within Tropicana Field in 2014.
Also worth circling might be the name of Erik Bedard who might have a chance to fill the Rays long reliever role with their 2013 hurler. Alex Torres traded in the off-season. Bedard could also be a great fill-in starter in-house option for the Rays if he were willing to accept a non-starter gig in 2014.
Tomorrow we will hit the factoids concerning the players who should be deemed the starters in the Rays infield for 2014.
Going to Miss the Rays Aussie Bloke
I somehow knew this moment was coming, but still it's hard to finally accept. He was the one player of that large Tampa Bay Rays Free Agent mish-mosh corps that I thought might just be out on a Winter walk-about and would again this January somehow wander back to the Rays brood for 2011.
Maybe that was really wishful thinking to imagine that such a return could possibly be in the cards for RP Grant Balfour, but I wanted to believe as long as possible that it could happen.
Instead I am now a solo participant in a local St. Petersburg Outback Steakhouse holding my own private Aussie funeral dirge complete with an I-pod filled with the musical rhymes and verses of Colin Hayes (Men at Work Lead Singer) ringing through my head.
Surely I could have picked the upbeat styling's of either AC/DC or even Midnight Oil as my musical accompaniments as I pound a oilcan of Fosters, and eat a hearty Blommin' Onion.
But this is a solemn celebration of Balfour's new multi-year contract. It has been one of those days where I will rise a middy or two as I begin a sit-down of bountiful tucker (food) and possibly one last XXXX (Queensland brew) to wish him the best and a long career.
I sit her pondering the notion that Balfour has taken his leave and gone onto the big smoke ( big city) of Oakland and I will have to settle for conversations only 3 times this year when Balfour again visit's the Trop.
Talking to Balfour has became a game day ritual for me, standing there by the RF retaining wall near my seat joking with him, I am really going to miss my old Tampa Bay Rays Bullpen mate.
I guess the best way I can finally put closure to the loss and sorrow within my chest is to ponder and spout a few Aussie terms and nuances I learned from you over your Rays time as a faithful farewell to my favorite bloke from Oz (Australia).
You know Grant, I was hoping the furphy (rumor) of your Rays departure was premature and totally bollocks before I heard the good guts (accurate information) about your grouse (very good) contract offer in Oakland. I consider you a bonza (really great) Aussie Grant that I used to have many a chinwag (conversation) with daily either during the game or at Batting Practice.
I truly hope you do not consider me an irritable ear masher (talks too much) or even a drongo (slow-witted bloke). I still consider it so crook (sick) what that Rays Pitching Coach Jim Hickey did to you last season during your BP open slather (free-for-all) that cost you unwarranted disabled list time. It was totally onus (unacceptable) and showed what a nong (fool) Hickey really can be at times.
I do hope you make a good fist (to do well) in Oakland and hopefully when you come into our humble homestead again we can wring hands and possibly go down to a local billabong (watering hole) and hoist a few stubby (375ml bottle of beer)to your success. G'day ol' fair dinkum (really genuine) cobber (friend).
2010 Was Definitely a Rays "Kumba" Moment
Common.Wikepedia.com Photo files
It has been my custom over the last few years to attach a word, phrase, or commonplace item as a keynote to what the ending year has envisioned to me. This year I am again incorporating my yearly ride with the Tampa Bay Rays by my side into this year end resolution. 2010 was a spectacular 365 day odyssey that somehow closely resembles the Kumba multi-inversion rollercoaster located just 25 miles from my front door within the oddly placed fauna of Busch Gardens in the urban jungle of Tampa Florida.
It really has been that kind of wham, bam thank you Ma'am year for Tampa Bay. One that has taken all of us, including the Rays, on moments of Mt Kilimanjaro-type highs, to the unexpected desolate lows of Death Valley, California while we all scream incisively through the zero G rolls and inverted loops to bear witness of the year's gut wrenching end result. Hearing the collective loud thumping cadence of our heartbeats within this 32-passenger rail car as the rollercoaster finally finishes off as an unfocused blur.
The 2010 ride started out so serene and calm as we welcomed back 1B/3B Dan Johnson after a short Japanese baseball trek and saw the Rays signed their first European prospect LHP Stepan Havlicek (no relation to the Celtic legend). The impending illusion of a smooth and possibly uneventful ride seemed ease our minds as our car first left the ride station.
We became entranced and hypnotized by the soothing clicking sound of the car as another tremendous Rays Fan Fest came and went where we sadly got to see local Rays resident and Baseball Hall of Famer Robin Roberts for one last time. We all marveled at the Rays Jumbotron at Fan Fest watching the antics of Rays Radioman Rich Herrera and legendary eater Joey Chestnut boast about their hotdog eating skills while systematically standing in line to pursue the autographs of our Rays heroes.
All the while the clicking of track kept us somehow distracted, and played into the final menagerie of peril that was to soon take our breath away. The March signing of RP Joaquin Benoit to a minor league deal made us all giddy with anticipation and hopes of new found glory for Benoit. Suddenly our car took an unexpected 90 degree left turn out of our comfort zone when this Spring we saw LHP J P Howell suffer a bout of shoulder soreness that would start him on his own unanticipated rollercoaster ride during 2010.
With Howell's injury only thought to keep him out until May, we began our 143-foot lift hill that would eventually send us rapidly screaming at full G force through the highs and lows of the 2010 season. After an incredible Grapefruit season where the Rays finally saw the emerging stars of SS Reid Brignac and 2B/utility man Sean Rodriguez shine bright, our car quickly headed into the Kumba's signature pre-drop element.
Quickly the Rays season began to take a few twists and turns brought on by a sudden 135-foot drop to our left with the early season struggles of Designated Hitter Pat Burrell and escalated into a 114-foot vertical loop that intensely thrilled us as the team got out to a late April record of 17-5 before the Rays encountered their first diving loop and subsequent first extreme low point of the season.
It all started as the ride entered its initial diving loop segment with the team firmly clutching their pink bats and uniform ribbons when on Mother's Day (May 9,2010) their coaster ride entered its first Zero-G roll brought on by the Perfect Game thrown by Oakland A's LHP Dallas Braden that put lumps in our throats and stole our breath from us. But this was only the Rays first venture into a systematic tail spin as more unexpected plots twists were creeping our the horizon for the Rays.
The team then seemed to hit a rough patch as they spent a short spell on a smooth stretch of track before finally entering a much feared Cobra roll on June 25,2010 that saw former Rays RHP Edwin Jackson toss a No-Hitter against the Rays in the comfy confines of Tropicana Field. The result sent us again flipping upside down for the second time this season before we were able to enter a mid-course brake run at the All Star break . It was then that we saw Rays starter David Price become the first Rays pitcher to ever start an All Star game. At the midway point of our coaster ride the Rays end the first half with the Major League's second best record (54-34) trailing only our division rivals, the New York Yankees.
Just as the ride was beginning to obtain some sort of normalcy, the Rays and the coaster again began a accelerating fall off the brake run through a series of interlocking corkscrew twists that heightened with a renewed Rays excitement by a No-Hitter tossed at Tropicana Field by Rays starter Matt Garza, and accented by the Grand Slam of another Matt (Joyce) to put the game finally out of reach and into the Rays record books.
Gut twisting and wrenching wins then somehow became the norm as the Rays unexpectedly ran into a 5-game losing streak (their only losing streak above 3 games in '10) at the entry point of their first corkscrew twist. During this negative twist of misfortune during back-to-back Rays versus Blue Jays games from August 7-8th that saw normally secure starter James Shields surrender 6 Home Runs one day, then saw the Rays have to rely on Evan Longoria hitting a dying quail single through the 1B-2B hole with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning to stave the Rays from becoming the first team to have 3 No-hitter thrown against them within a years' time.
As Rays Kumba car entered the darkened tunnel after their latest close encounter in Toronto, the Rays again got back on the winning track and eventually approached the end of the season with a playoff berth in their grasp, and a possible American League East title just beyond their fingertips. As the ride entered its final braking run, the Rays faced a 1 game ultimate gut check presented to them to possibly secure another AL East banner for the rafters of Tropicana Field.
In classic rollercoaster form, the Rays took their final game of 2010 against the Kansas City Royals in extra innings and added to the climax and crescendo of that last right hand turn by being greeted by multitudes of Fans at St. Petersburg/Clearwater Airport upon their arrival again in Tampa Bay before the ride began is last motions towards a ultimate disembark at the rail station.
Their quick exit in the ALDS just showed how accelerated their post season ride in 2010 could be extinguished. Lost in the final equation were a few special Rays moments that only further illustrated just how exciting and thrilling 2010 was for the Rays.
The 2010 Rays team ended up with 96 wins that season, only one "W" away from eclipsing their club win mark set in 2008. It was amazing for a Rays team that many baseball prognosticators did not even envision even a playoff berth for the squad back in April. We saw the maturation and confident emergence of a Rays starting 5 rotation that missed a team goal of 1,000+ inning season by its 5 starters by less than 46-odd innings. Then saw Longoria pick up his second consecutive Gold Glove while Carl Crawford finally got the Golden Glove that has eluded him.
Even with all the eventual ups and down, in and outs of their 2010 season, the Rays sent all of us on a cascading water flume ride of unexpected emotions and thrills as the team finally exit the railcars for the last time in 2010. We then had to say goodbye to 9 Free Agents, almost as many non-tender arbitration eligible Rays as the team began their foundational framework for another future glorious coaster ride.
Not knowing if it was a bead of cooling sweat from the fearsome ride, or a trickle of an unexpected tear set in motion by the thoughts of losing Rays stalwarts like Carlos Pena, Crawford, Benoit, Randy Choate, Dan Wheeler, Rafael Soriano and Grant Balfour. I am stricken with a unforeseen bout of silence as I might have been witness to the last ride of a 4-year journey that started in 2007, and will end at the stroke of midnight tonight. I had been an up-close and personal participant in the formulation of a winning culture by the Rays in our short existence. I want to stand in line again for another chance at having my breath taken away on another future glorious trip.
At midnight the clicking of Kumba will be heard in the background as I wander towards another Rays odyssey. The rise and fall of this franchise definitely mimics the twists and turns of a well maintained rollercoaster that is always pushing the limits of both gravity and the breaking points of humanity before tumbling down towards a sense of reality.
Thank you Rays for this years journey. Thank you for the "firsts", the "lasts" and the 81 straight tickets to ride as I took my seat in Tropicana Field this year and each time It left me simply breathless and aching for more. Some call this season the end of a Rays era, I think it is the beginning of a tradition of celebrating the "Rays Way" and buckling every New Years Eve for another ride of our collective Rays lives. Now where is that SheiKra coaster located again?
Rays Bullpen Undergoing Extensive "Renovations"
Mike Carlson/AP
Just when I thought I could feel a tad secure about the Tampa Bay Rays unstable Bullpen situation, Rays Vice President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman has to drop another bombshell on the already scarred Rays Republic. With the recent revelations that even Rays stalwart reliever Grant Balfour is shunning the Rays arbitration offer, the team has quickly seem it Bullpen's health go from unstable to critical.
I instantly felt like Daniel-san from "The Karate Kid" with a hearty leg sweep taking me out and sending me to the canvas. Suddenly the foundation I thought was flimsy but fixable, might just be undergoing a major overhauling. Maybe I invested too much into hoping, praying, thinking that Rays southpaw reliever J P Howell could somehow be that impending shining light we would need in the Spring of 2011 to blaze a Bullpen path.
Instantly, that foundation, that hope of some stability was swept clean, at least for the first few months of the 2011 Major League Baseball decision. Friedman had very encouraging words about Howell's rehabilitation program since his 2010 shoulder surgery, but the only words echoing through my mind again and again was the possibility he would not be available until May or June. With just those few words it seems that a total transition of the Rays Bullpen was underway, and would Sonnanstine and Cormier be spared from the purge?
In reality, the Rays Bullpen went quickly from a slight rebuilding mode to a full blown reconstruction mode even if Sonnanstine and Cormier are brought back for 2011. Howell was thought to be some of the glue that might bond this unit tighter with his hugely optimistic attitude and energy. But with Friedman's announcement of a possible road bump in his rehabilitation process, Howell quickly goes from a veteran cog of the Rays Bullpen 2011 machine, to an in-season inserted piece.
Suddenly the instability of the Rays Bullpen reminds me of those moving grass patches in the Florida Everglades that on the surface look like solid ground until you walk on them, then you fall through into the murky water below. Even with young arms like southpaw reliever Jake McGee and righthander Mike Ekstrom possibly returning for another Rays extended gig, Friedman made it clear that McGee would have to prove himself this Spring or possible start the season with the Triple-A Durham Bulls.
With the Rays possibly carrying 12-13 pitchers going into the 2011 season, suddenly only the starting five of James Shields, Matt Garza, David Price, Wade Davis and Jeff Niemann seems to be on any form of solid ground for now. But we have a long way to the Rays first reporting date of February 13th and anything can happen. If the Rays do consider carrying 12 pitchers', that would mean that 7 new faces could possibly enter the Rays Spring Training complex in Port Charlotte, Florida on that date. I hope the team is stocking up on " Hi! My Name is…." tags.
Such a major re-configuration to the Rays late inning staff could take them immediately out of the thought process of contending during 2011 and might have damage their post season aspirations for several years. Suddenly the once solid and reliable Rays Bullpen unit is a shadow of its former self. And with the Rays farm system a bit discombobulated after 21 minor league free agents were not offered an olive branch by the parent club, more change is expected.
It is a long way to February 13th, and the Rays could possibly entertain a multi-year offer with Balfour, or possibly have the chance to sign Wheeler to a lower salary figure than his declines $ 4 million option and retain some form of reasonable back end stability to the Rays Bullpen. Tendering 2011 contracts to Sonnanstine and Cormier could alleviate a bit of the Rays relief flux, but would only be a band-aid on the seeping wound.
Rays Put Out Trade "Feelers" on Bartlett
Since Free Agent Shortstop Juan Uribe decided to accept the Los Angeles Dodgers offer a few days ago, now the spot light is centered directly on Tampa Bay Rays middle infielder Jason Bartlett who might have priced himself out of the Rays fold. Bartlett is entering his last phase of arbitration this off season and could command up to $ 5 million dollars through arbitration.
The shortstop is still a viable defender and might have just had a down year in 2010, but his upward salary scale is definitely making him more than expendable to the cost efficient Rays. And with Uribe now off the books, during the upcoming Winter meetings I am expecting Rays Vice President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman to be a popular man with at least four teams searching for a shortstop option.
The teams considered at least mildly interested in Bartlett include the newly crowned World Champion San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres and Baltimore Orioles. Three of the four make perfect sense to also get Bartlett out of the American League where he would only post a 3-game problem at the least when the Cardinals and Rays square off in an InterLeague match-up at Tropicana Field July 1-3,2011.
The most interesting possible trade scenario might be if the Rays decide to trade with their American League East divisional partner, the Baltimore Orioles. Considering that the Orioles still have Julio Lugo, also an ex-Rays shortstop on their current roster, it could make for an interesting 17 game home and away seasonal series in 2011. With that in mind, it also makes the Orioles the most unlikely of candidates for the Rays to consider a trade for Bartlett, but Friedman has been known to shock a few people before, even among the Rays faithful.
So with these few teams in mind, let's take a look within their respective rosters and see just who might be able to be considered off all four teams as potential trade pieces with the Rays for Bartlett. With Uribe off the boards, Bartlett is probably at his highest possible trade value at this point, and if the Rays do pull some sort of delay or freeze any trade discussions past the Winter Meetings, the Rays could have overstayed the marketplace and would have to trade Bartlett for less value in return.
Baltimore Orioles:
I am going to embark on the possible trade candidates with the Orioles in mind with two of the most logical players, but also one that might end up looking more like a potential arbitration salary swap than a true upgrade in talent and moderate salary. Luke Scott has been within the Rays crosshairs for a few seasons as a potential offensive weapon. Scott is entering his third chance at salary arbitration this Winter, and could demand even more than Bartlett's $ 5 million dollar prospective 2011 salary price tag.
But you can not argue with a .281 batting average with 27 HR and 71 RBI's after you saw your best offensive weapon (Carlos Pena) go on the open market this Winter. It is imperative that the Rays find an adequate replacement for Pena to protect Evan Longoria in the Rays batting order. Scott also has the ability to hit for average along with power, which might be a great combination that could influence the Rays decision.
Considering that Scott might have peaked at the right time in 2010 by having a monster August hitting for a .314 average with 9 HR and 20 RBI, he might gain some serious looks by the Rays. His OPS (.898) and Slugging Percentage ( .535) suggest that he might be the bat the Rays missed in 2010 in the Designated Hitter spot. Scott also was the AL Player of the Week (July 25) and posted a 11-game hitting streak during the 2010 season. Scott might not seem like a value in trade for Bartlett, but it would help the team solidify a position (DH) that has plagued the Rays line-up for at least two seasons.
A second potential trade candidate has been mentioned a few times before in regard to Bartlett. Pitcher David Hernandez has only a $ 402,000 salary in 2010, and might just be the type of pitcher the Rays could effectively carry in their Bullpen for several seasons before he becomes too expensive for the team to carry. Hernandez posted an 8-8 record in 2010,which might not seem impressive, but once the Orioles took him out of the starting rotation where he went 1-5 with a 5.31 ERA in 8 starts, he quickly adapted to a relief role.
Hernandez then went on to post a 7-3 record with a 3.16 ERA along with 2 saves as a Oriole reliever. The fact that Hernandez could be an effective part of the Rays Bullpen either as a middle inning reliever or as a inning eater should intrigue the Rays to more than just kick the tires on Hernandez. Sure he might have only, logged 33 total relief appearances in his career, but Hernandez has the fire and desire to succeed. That fact is truly demonstrated in his ability to go at least 5-6 innings in 7 of his 8 starts in 2010 for the Orioles.
San Francisco Giants:
Considering the Uribe left the World Champions for a new home in Chavez Ravine, the G-men will be looking quickly for an alternative with some relief pitching as the main bait. Javier Lopez, who the Giants got in a trade in late July from the Pittsburgh Pirates is a 4-time arbitration eligible player this Winter. Even with his fourth try at the arbitration game, his prospective arbitration amount should be considerably less than Rays Free agent RP Grant Balfour. Lopez earned a total salary of $ 775,000 in 2010 and could be a possible middle inning replacement if the Aussie refuses the Rays arbitration offer.
But as a left-handed option, Lopez brings a lot of great ability and stamina to the table. Lopez went 4-2 this season with a 2.34 ERA in both locales, but his numbers quickly dropped once he was sent to the West Coast. He posted a 1.42 ERA in 27 games with the Giants after leaving behind a 2.79 ERA in 50 games with the Pirates. But his main selling point to the Rays might be his ability to get out left-handed hitters as a viable replacement for another Rays Free Agent, Randy Choate.
Lopez held NL batters to a .163 opponent's batting average, which was the lowest mark posted by a National League LHP since he joined the Giants. Even more impressive is the fact Lopez held left-handers to a .68 batting average. Another plus for the Rays would be the fact Lopez limited his opposition to a .190 average with RISP and induced 7 GIDP opportunities during that span.
San Diego Padres:
With the Padres sending two great young potential relievers to the Florida Marlins earlier this Winter for outfielder Cameron Maybin, they seem to be a bit bare in the cabinet in relievers unless something drastic or inventive can be arranged in a possible trade with the Rays. Sure you would love to see the Padres offer up closer Heath Bell, who is up for arbitration for the third time, straight up for Bartlett, but that possibility might just not be in the framework. But a guy like Bell could ease a huge chunk of the Rays problems with their Bullpen if they knew a guy who was 6-1 with a 1.93 ERA with 47 saves was to come in and take over for Free Agent Rafael Soriano.
But the real life scenario of the Padres sending Bell to the Rays would be more of a potential salary swap since Bell could also garner over a $5 million 2011 salary through arbitration. But again, it would cement close a huge Rays hole in the back end of the Bullpen? A more realistic trade option might be left-hand reliever Joe Thatcher who would still be under team control for a few seasons. Consider the southpaw posted a 0.51 ERA over his last 39 outings could make the Rays salivate knowing they could receive a quality LHP option in return for Bartlett.
Pushing Thatcher more into the spotlight is the fact he struck out 41 batter over his last 56 relief appearances, plus had only 19.7 percent of his inherited runners score on him this past season. Considering Thatcher went to the mound with 66 inherited runners and less than 20 percent scored is a huge plus compared to some of the Rays totals last season. But even if Thatcher did have 59 scoreless innings in 2010, he was used mostly as a left-handed specialist facing 1 batter in 33 of his 63 outings. But still a 0.00 ERA against right-handed hitters over 17 innings of work with 17 strikeouts provides a nice exclamation point as to Thatcher's value to the Rays Bullpen.
St. Louis Cardinals:
The last team I will visit is the Cardinals. Sure they have ex-Rays RP Trever Miller under a good contract for 2011 ($ 2million), but I think the Cardinals would like to keep their leftie who posted 15 holds and had the fifth best NL mark in regards to inherited runners in 2010. But there are two young right-hand options that I think could be interesting to the Rays. First is a young RP Mitchell Boggs who is not arbitration eligible this Winter and made MLB minimum salary in 2010.
Boggs appeared in 61 games for the Cardinals in 2010 and came away with 44 scoreless outings. Combine that with his ability that he went extended innings in 11 of appearances, you get a little endurance to go with your stability. Boggs also retired 42 of his 61 first batters he faced last season, but also has left-handers handcuff him to a 5.23 ERA. This points to a positive upside as the young reliever (26 years old) can grow into a solid part of the Rays Bullpen for many years.
But the guy who really has my eye as a potential trade piece from the Cardinals is right-hand reliever Jason Motte. He converted 2 of his 3 save opportunities during 2010 when Ryan Franklin went down in 2010. The fact this young gun is not even arbitration eligible yet but ranked 13 holds for the Cards in2010 speaks to their commitment to using the young pitcher . After a short rehab assignment following a right shoulder injury, Motte did not allow a run in his next 10 appearances. His 54 strikeouts in 2010 pushed him to a 9/3 K/ 9IP clip that is impressive for such a young reliever.
Combine that with the fact Motte held right-handed hitters to a .198 batting average with 39 strikeouts shows that he can get hitters out from both sides of the plate. At one point in 2010, Motte retired 32 straight hitters and never surrendered more than 2 runs during an appearance. Another nice stat is that Motte worked better off one days rest ( 0.57 ERA/ 16 appearances) than with two days off (.079 ERA/ 12 appearances). But both stats show that Motte is beginning to provide secure and stabile relief ability, which could benefit the Rays for an extended time out of their depleted Bullpen.
Bartlett is going to be traded at some point in 2010. Now is the time when his inherent value might be at its peak and other teams might be willing to trade for the arbitration eligible shortstop. As the season grows closer, his value will go down and the return will also suffer. At this point with more than a few teams looking for middle infield options, Bartlett's stock is on the rise. Friedman will be diligent, but hopefully he will not be so cautious as to not entertain a reasonable offer for any young reliever or hitting option. Hopefully by the end of the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida, the Rays will have found a good locale for Bartlett for Spring 2011.


text:
Director of Education Studies, Corcoran College of Art + Design
From: Washington, D.C. (fifth-generation teacher)
Lives: Upper Marlboro, MD
Education: University of Virginia, BA, Studio Art/Sociology; Howard University, MFA, Printmaking; Teachers College, Columbia University, EdDCT, Art Education
Favorite Corcoran moments: Graduation. "As I call out the students' names, I have emotional flashbacks of seeing them grow. They're going out into the world to use art to change people's lives."
Hidden Talent: Beautiful soprano voice—almost pursued a singing career
My department head, boss and othermother. Love this lady.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
To embed, copy and paste the code into your website or blog:
On June 17, 2013, the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) rendered a decision granting exemptive relief (the Decision) to MaRS Social Venture Connection (MaRS VX), a not-for-profit entity, effectively allowing it to operate an online platform to connect accredited investors with Ontario ventures that have demonstrable social and/or environmental impact. Although the Decision is limited in time and scope, as well as subject to numerous conditions, it is a step forward in the establishment and regulation of equity crowdfunding in Canada.
This Osler Update provides a brief summary of the Decision, followed by an overview of some interesting differences between the platform that the OSC will permit under the Decision and the model set forth in the OSC's concept proposal for a crowdfunding prospectus exemption (the Concept Proposal) in its consultation paper published in December 2012: Considerations for New Capital Raising Prospectus Exemptions (the Consultation Paper). For our full Update on the Consultation Paper (OSC's Crowdfunding Proposal Receives Favourable Comments), click here.
The Decision
MaRS VX applied to the OSC for registration as a restricted dealer with the objective of promoting "impact investing" by bringing together, via an online platform, Ontario-based ventures that aim to solve social or environmental challenges in Ontario and accredited investors in Ontario (as this term is defined in section 1.1 of National Instrument 45-106, Prospectus and Registration Exemptions). To facilitate the use of the online platform, MaRS VX's application sought relief from certain know-your-client (KYC) and suitability requirements of National Instrument 31-103, Registration Requirements and Exemptions.
The platform proposed by MaRS VX (the Platform) would contain two portals: one public and the other private. The public portal will simply contain general information about MaRS VX, its platform, its objectives and the process for prospective investors and issuers to access the private portal. The private portal will be password-protected and contain more detailed information about the issuer (for example, business plans, financial statements and pro-forma financial projections) but will be accessible only to (i) Ontario "accredited investors" that have established their status and have signed a written agreement, and (ii) issuers seeking to raise capital on a private placement basis through the issuance of debt or equity securities and have signed a written agreement committing to comply with certain OSC-imposed requirements.
Subject to the specific terms and conditions of the Decision, the OSC permitted MaRS VX to register as a restricted dealer and issued exemptive relief from certain KYC and suitability requirements of NI 31-103, specifically from ss. 13.2 (2) (c) and 13.3.
In essence, the KYC and suitability requirements of NI 31-103 provide that all registered dealers must collect KYC information specific to each client in order to determine the client's tolerance for risk and ultimately ensure that sales of securities are suitable for their clients. These requirements are important for investor protection and market integrity but represent significant obstacles in the context of equity crowdfunding, because imposing these restrictions could be cumbersome to those connecting through an online platform.
A full copy of the Decision is available on the OSC's website.
Key Differences Between the OSC's Concept Proposal and the Decision
Although the Decision is limited to the specific facts of the MaRS VX case and does not necessarily reflect the features of any generic crowdfunding framework that may ultimately be adopted in Ontario, it is nevertheless interesting to note some of the more significant ways in which the terms of the Decision differ from the Concept Proposal. Perhaps the most important difference is that whereas the Concept Proposal envisages a framework for a new broad-based prospectus exemption for equity crowdfunding, the Decision essentially limits investor participation in the Platform to those who can establish their status as accredited investors, relying on an existing prospectus exemption. In addition, unlike the Concept Proposal, which provides that transactions and distributions can be made through an online portal, the Decision prohibits MaRS VX from both distributing any securities through the Platform and handling any investor funds or assets. No transactions may be executed, settled or cleared through the Platform, which serves only as a connection point or "match-making service" between issuers and investors. Further, unlike the Concept Proposal, which would be open to all issuers, the exemptive relief provided under the Decision is available to a restricted category of issuer – namely, only to issuers that have demonstrable social and/or environmental impact and less than $25 million in revenues.
The Concept Proposal asked whether it may be appropriate for any crowdfunding model to be introduced on a trial basis only and, indeed, this Decision is temporary and expires on the earlier of (i) two years from the date of the Decision and (ii) 90 days after any material changes in MaRS VX's business, operations or capital. It is also limited in scope only to issuers and accredited investors located in Ontario.
Other Features of the Decision
In addition to the foregoing key differences, the following are other interesting areas of similarity or divergence between the OSC's Decision and its Concept Proposal.
Other Issuer-related Aspects
Other Investor-related Aspects
Other Platform-related Aspects
With this Decision, the OSC has cleared the way for a potentially useful electronic platform to introduce issuers and investors to one another. However, the extent to which this Decision will serve as a precedent for future developments in the regulation of equity crowdfunding in Canada remains to be seen.
Topics: Accredited Investors, Canada, Crowdfunding, OSC, Private Equity, Tax Exemptions
Published In: Communications & Media Updates, Finance & Banking Updates, Nonprofits Updates, Securities Updates
DISCLAIMER: Because of the generality of this update, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on particular situations.
© Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Read fresh new writing on compliance, cybersecurity, Dodd-Frank, whistleblowers, social media, hiring & firing, patent reform, the NLRB, Obamacare, the SEC…
…or whatever matters the most to you. Follow authors, firms, and topics on JD Supra.
Create your news brief now - it's free and easy »
Osler is a leading business law firm practising nationally and internationally from its offices...
View Profile »
See more »
Back to Top
Copyright ©


text:
The series debuted with "Visions of Light: The Art of Cinematography," a documentary showcasing celebrated films, and was followed by D.W. Griffith's silent movie "Broken Blossoms," as well as the ultimate embodiment of Hollywood film, "Casablanca."
In weeks to come are classic Hollywood films such as the musical "Singing in the Rain," the screwball comedy "Bringing Up Baby" and even the gritty, moody film noir "Double Indemnity."
The series will take a speedy journey through American film history--ever-changing and always entertaining.
"It's a fun way to learn about movies you maybe haven't seen yet," Postlethwaite said.
The selection of movies to be screened is certainly widely varied. The St. Olaf community can enjoy the pure camp of a '50s sci-fi thriller as communist hysteria takes on a new form in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers;" experience '60s rebellion à la "Taxi Driver" and sample the work of filmmakers such as Francis Ford Coppola, who ushered in European-inspired filmmaking with movies like "The Godfather." The series will wrap up with Hollywood's first blockbuster, "Jaws."
"My education in movies came from the college film society," Postlethwaite said.
Wishing to pass on such an experience to St. Olaf students, whether they are just starting to explore the world of classic film or are already addicted to film, she designed the campus-wide festival to bring great movies to St. Olaf. "There is something about getting together and watching [a film] in the dark on a big screen that creates a different movie-going experience," she said.
Although the film series is tied to her American Film History class, the movies are entertaining, free and open to the public. "Every movie is a fun movie," Postlethwaite said.
However, each film was carefully selected to reveal a trend in American film and culture. "Throughout the series, themes will emerge," Postlethwaite explained. "A theme that comes up again and again is violence."
Choosing to screen provocative films that are both artistically and culturally resonant, Postlethwaite also selected movies that represent groundbreaking moments in film. Postlethwaite wants to remind students that filmmaking techniques and plotlines that are now well established were not always so familiar. "Many of the films in the series reveal the origins of familiar film gambits we now take for granted," she explained. "These were the first movies like that, and we can see where some of these trends started."
Postlethwaite picks up on the influences classic film has had on modern filmmaking. "Jack Nicholson chopping through that door with an ax in 'The Shining?'--check out 'Broken Blossoms,'" she observed. "Countless movies have 'borrowed' their plot directly from John Wayne's Western 'The Searchers'--including Martin Scorsese's 'Taxi Driver,' which will also be shown in the film festival."
Through her continued efforts to bring film to St. Olaf and the kick-off of the Classic American Film Series, Postlethwaite hopes to encourage a Film Studies concentration at St. Olaf. Her efforts are not one-sided. "There is a lot of excitement about film at St. Olaf," she said.
Members of the St. Olaf community who have news to share about film-related events on campus may visit http://www.stolaf.edu/academics/film for the scoop on St. Olaf film happenings.
Students are invited to contact Diana Postlethwaite for a weekly update on the Classic American Film Series' upcoming films at firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Himalayan farmers give early pointers on climate change
Himalayan villagers have won the backing of climate science for their suspicions that snow cover, water resources and the ecosystem are changing in their region, a study published Wednesday said.
Saving the soil and maintaining corn yields: research says yes to both
Two years into a study looking at methods of combining a living cover crop between corn rows shows that yield can be maintained at high levels using environmentally friendly practices.
Corn yields with perennial cover crop are equal to traditional farming
Soil quality, water quality, and possibly even farm profits will all benefit by using a perennial cover crop on corn fields that allows for similar yields to traditional farming methods, according to Iowa ...
'No-till farming' revolution grows in Indiana
Indiana farmer Mike Starkey does not plow his fields and uses fertilizer only sparingly, but he is on the cutting edge of a growing trend in American agriculture.
Farmers use radishes to soften, fertilize fields
(AP) -- White radishes are taking root on Tony Luthman's farm, the start of what he hopes will create a welcome mat for the corn he plants in the spring.
Soil nutrient management for organic production
Organic producers are faced with somewhat different challenges in maintaining their soil nutrient levels than are conventional producers. The new Montana State University Extension bulletin Soil Nutrient Management on Organic ...
Researchers introducing sustainable agriculture practices to improve food security
Two Virginia Tech professors are leading research teams that will work with scientists and small-scale farmers in South America and the Caribbean to increase food production, improve soil quality, and reduce ...
Forage sorghum shows promise as energy crop
(PhysOrg.com) -- In their continuing effort to evaluate crops that can serve as biofuel feedstocks as well as cover crops (and that can fit into crop rotations in Pennsylvania and the Northeast) researchers ...
Finding the right time for rolling rye
Mix-and-match cover cropping can optimize organic production
Vetch cover crop, fertilizer practices recommended for organic zucchini
Long-term study of orchard ground cover management systems
Understanding Why Rye Works as a Cover Crop
(PhysOrg.com) -- Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists may soon find a way to enhance the weed-killing capabilities of a cereal grain that enriches the soil when used as a winter cover crop.
Research reveals true value of cover crops to farmers, environment
Planting cover crops in rotation between cash crops—widely agreed to be ecologically beneficial—is even more valuable than previously thought, according to a team of agronomists, entomologists, agroecologists, ...


text:
I admit to having felt a sense of completion on hearing the news that our Navy Seals had killed Osama bin Laden. But I wish we'd had a little more tim...
Read Whole Story
Democrats are elitist, right-wingers insist, even if they are needy enough to receive not just college, but high school scholarships. In this case, the proof of Obama's elitism was his request for Dijon.
Get top stories and blogs posts emailed to you each day.


text:
Book your car park space in advance, then relax in the knowledge that you have a guaranteed car parking space in Looe for the whole weekend. £15.00 per space (cars only) for the weekend (valid from 8am on Friday 19th September 2014 until 8am on Monday 22nd September 2014) or £6.10 per day (valid from 8am on the day shown on your ticket until 8am the following day). Once booked a space will be allocated in one of three local car parks and you'll be sent details and passes nearer to the event. Cornwall Council parking terms apply. No campers, caravans, trailers, or buses.
Don't fancy driving? Book your return coach transfers from Plymouth, or Liskeard.
Plymouth Service - departs Plymouth City Centre at 5pm on Friday (arrives in Looe at 5.45pm), and 10am on Saturday and Sunday (arrives in Looe at 10.45am). Departs Looe at 11.00pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (arrives in Plymouth City Centre at midnight). Fare: £11.00 per day (return) or £30.00 for all three days. Bookable in advance only. Limited seats available.
Liskeard Service - departs Liskeard at 5pm on Friday (arrives Looe 5.30pm), and 10am on Saturday and Sunday (arrives in Looe at 10.30am). Departs Looe at 11.00pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (arrives in Liskeard Town Centre at 11.30pm). Fare: £7.50 per day (return) or £20.00 for all three days. Bookable in advance only. Limited seats available.
Looe and the surrounding villages (Polperro, Duloe, Pelynt, Liskeard) have loads of hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, caravan parks, holiday cottages, holiday parks and campsites. Buy your festival ticket and then book your accommodation separately. You don't have to camp but if you want to, there are plenty of campsites to choose from. Shuttle buses service the town during the festival weekend to help you get to and from your accommodation.
Besides winning first place and being voted the 'Best UK Park Operator' at the British Travel Awards 2013, you'll find lots of great reasons to stay with Parkdean! Join us at Looe Bay Holiday Park; a lively, 4 star park ideally located for exploring glorious South East Cornwall, featuring excellent on park facilities and fabulous Showtime evening entertainment. Just 6 minutes from Looe and on the festival shuttle bus route.
With the centre of Looe only a two minute walk from the front door of Trenwith Cottage, there's nowhere better placed for enjoying the Looe Music Festival.
4 star quality touring park offering festival tenting, touring pitches, pods, statics and cottages. Set in 55 acres well away from the road in rolling countryside with sea views and only 1.5 miles from Looe and on the festival shuttle bus route.
Tencreek is the closest holiday park to Looe with outstanding country and coastal views. Great on-site facilities make it the ideal base for exploring Cornwall ... and perfect for you visit to the Looe Music Festival.
Quiet family owned and run site offers clean and modern facilities for camping / touring or static caravans at very competitive rates. Set midway between Looe and Polperro with views down the Talland valley to the sea and on the festival shuttle bus route.
Polborder House is a Top 100 Park with 5 star facilities. We cater for caravans & tents. We also have camping pods and holiday homes for hire.
Established in 1516, The Jolly Sailor Inn in Looe, Cornwall, is one of the oldest pubs in the UK. Affectionately known as the Jolly by the locals, it has been a place of rest and recreation for seafarers and travellers alike for centuries.
The Portbyhan is a landmark hotel situated in the heart of Looe, offering spectacular views that overlook the popular Cornish fishing village. With its fascinating fishing history, selection of local restaurants, bars and shops in quaint narrow streets, local guests can enjoy the perfect break. The popular seaside town of Looe can keep visitors entertained all year round whilst still retaining its character as a bustling working fishing port. The fishing harbour steeped in history is a must to visit watch the boats come and go throughout the day and if you are an early riser you can watch the day's catch being auctioned on the quay. If it's shopping and dining that you want, the level streets offer an interesting mix of traditional souvenir, arts and crafts shops, boutique, bars and restaurants, many of which are located in buildings dating from the 16th and 17th centuries.
All ticket sales are subject to Looe Music Festival's standard terms & conditions. Full ticket information is available here.
You'll just need to print them out and take them to the Festival Box Office to exchange for your wristband.
Exchange your tickets for wristbands at the Box Office when you arrive at the festival. Please note: you can't exchange tickets for anyone else, because we have to put the wristband directly on to your wrist.
We've done our best to keep ticket prices as low as possible whilst still absorbing booking fees (we've never passed booking fees onto you), covering the increasing cost of staging the event and delivering a spectacular line-up.
Looe Tourist Information Centre
The Guildhall, Fore Street,
East Looe, Cornwall PL13 1AA.
Open every day 10 - 5.
Call 01503 262072


text:
2011-02-23 / Front Page
Assembly, Senate pass bill eliminating ban on lever voting machines
New York State Sen. Owen Johnson (R-Babylon) and Assemblyman Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst) announced this week that a bill permitting villages throughout New York State to use the old lever-type voting machines has passed the Senate and Assembly and awaits the Governor's signature.
You must be an online subscriber to view this story.
- Login to post comments


text:
Long Island Now
The latest community buzz and updates. | Sign up for community newsletters.
BloggersDenise M. Bonilla Sophia Chang Tara Conry Carl Corry Erin Geismar Scott Eidler Mackenzie Issler Carl MacGowan Deborah S. Morris Amy Onorato Ted Phillips David Reich-Hale Candice Ruud Nicholas Spangler Joshua Stewart
ArchivesMore »
Group gives $15G for military families
The United Way of Long Island recently awarded a $15,000 grant to the Family Service League to assist military families. The money will go to the Armed Forces Relief and Welfare Project, run by the league's CAIR program: Community Advocacy, Information and Referral.
Family Service League is a Long Island nonprofit human services organization providing a safety net for people in need. CAIR is a case management program connecting people to food, housing, literacy training, mental health services and public benefits. CAIR also provides limited emergency financial assistance from the Relief and Welfare Fund.
"Active-duty personnel and military reservists who put their lives on the line to defend our nation often return home faced with physical, emotional and financial struggles," Robyn Berger-Gaston of the Family Service League said. "United Way of Long Island's generous grant will enable Family Service League to offer much needed support and assistance to returning military personnel and their families."
Last year, the league also received a $15,000 grant from United Way that helped eight service people with overdue bills. Some of the assistance included help with car insurance, tuition, rent; in one case, a Marine received assistance with his father's funeral.
Family Service League centers are in Bay Shore, Riverhead, East Yaphank and Huntington.
Tags: Veterans , United Way , donation , Family Services League


text:
Previous Coverage:
MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (AP) -- One of the people injured when a pedestrian bridge in northwestern Indiana collapsed after a fireworks show has sued the township government.
The Times of Munster reports 37-year-old Treneice Campbell of Gary filed the lawsuit Wednesday along with her husband. Campbell reportedly suffered spinal and leg fractures.
Campbell's attorney Kenneth J. Allen says it is "inexcusable" an estimated 100 people were allowed on a bridge that wasn't supposed to hold more than 40.
The lawsuit names Ross Township and township trustee John Rooda as defendants and seeks a total of $5.5 million.
About 50 people were spilled into a lake when the bridge collapsed Saturday night.
A message seeking comment was left Wednesday for Rooda at his township office.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


text:
Tag: GlossyScreen
Swap a Macbook's glossy display for matte
Users have a love/hate relationship with Apple's glossy displays. Namely, they either love them or they hate them. I haven't used one myself, as I'll be hanging on to my original MacBook Pro until it ceases to work. Until now, shoppers could get either a glossy or matte display with the 15" MacBook...
Blinded by the light? RadTech's ClearCal may save your eyes
Since Apple made the design decision to forgo glare-free screens on MacBooks, iMacs, and Cinema Displays, a common problem for lots of users is reflection of light off of displays. It seems to be particularly bad if you sit with your back to a window, and it can cause both figurative and literal...
MacBook screen, my thoughts
People seem pretty pleased with the MacBook, though some are still worried about the glossy screen. Is it just one big mirror? Won't it blind you? Isn't change bad? One person went so far as to suggest that anyone who likes the glossy screen is an idiot. Here is the statement that many of you have...
Subscribe to Newsletter
Software Updatesmore updates
- iOS 8.0.1 update now available (Updated -- Don't update!)
- NFL Mobile updated for 2014 Season with new Fantasy Football features, NFL Now integration
- Yahoo Mail improves email inbox searching with new filtering options
- Ember for Mac gains 'hugely-requested' screen recording feature
- Spotify update adds equalizer, refreshed Artist page and more
- Fantastical 2.1 for iOS adds new snooze, search and notification features