What a delightful sentiment that is. The SweetSpot (aka Dave Schoenfield) decided to question just how good the team could be this year, then ran WAR guesstimates and concluded that the 2014 Rays roster may just have it all in place for continued success, as they "seem to have it just right."
The new agreement will not only increase the drug penalties, but also implement widespread carbon isotope testing, the official said, hoping to dramatically increase the detection of a synthetic testosterone. There were 14 players suspended last season for receiving performance-enhancing drugs from South Florida wellness clinic, Biogenesis, but none failed a drug test.
The official said first-time offenses will be 80 games, an increase from 50, and a second offense will be for an entire 162-game season instead of 100 games. There will be a lifetime suspension for a third offense.
Also, players who tested positive because of inadvertent use, will now have their suspensions reduced from 50 games to 25. Phillies infielder Freddy Galvis was suspended 50 games in June 2012 for Clostebol Metabolite, which he insists contained foot cream. San Francisco Giants reliever Guillermo Mota was suspended 100 games in May 2012 for Clenbuterol, saying it was included in his cough medicine.
- Jesse Spector ranked teams based on their "ultimate opening day lineup," selecting players at each position based on who has started the most opening days. Older teams certainly got some pull here, as the Rays came in last featuring this stellar crew:
C Toby Hall-5 1B Carlos Pena-4 2B Miguel Cairo-3 3B Evan Longoria-5 SS Julio Lugo-3 LF Carl Crawford-8 CF B.J. Upton-3 RF Dave Martinez-3 DH-Jose Canseco-2 P James Shields-4