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I like these moves for the Rays as a stop-gap measures while they develop a longer-term solution to address the loss of Carl Crawford. Ramirez is getting $2 million; Damon $5.25 million. Granted, these guys aren't what they use to be, but I think the Rays have, very cost effectively, addressed the loss of Crawford at least for the 2011 season. The Rays are the AL East Champs until someone takes it away from them, and it looks they won't go down without a fight.

Good move... Joe Maddon and Manny seem like two guys who will get along well.

Do you DH Manny at this point?

JMU DJ wrote:Good move... Joe Maddon and Manny seem like two guys who will get along well.

Do you DH Manny at this point?

Yes, Manny DHs.

Manny has got to watch his step. He's only getting $2 million; he's not going to win any fight with the manager at this point of his career.

JoltinJoe wrote:

JMU DJ wrote:Good move... Joe Maddon and Manny seem like two guys who will get along well.

Do you DH Manny at this point?

Yes, Manny DHs.

Manny has got to watch his step. He's only getting $2 million; he's not going to win any fight with the manager at this point of his career.

Well, Zimmer is associated with the Rays... and he doesn't have a stellar fight record against former Red Soxs players.

JMU DJ wrote:

JoltinJoe wrote:
Yes, Manny DHs.

Manny has got to watch his step. He's only getting $2 million; he's not going to win any fight with the manager at this point of his career.

Well, Zimmer is associated with the Rays... and he doesn't have a stellar fight record against former Red Soxs players.

Now is Zimmer's chance for REVENGE!

Word in baseball circles is that Manny can't hit a major league fastball anymore. He looks for the fastball on the first pitch, if it's not there, you got him. Manny just can't be Manny anymore.

The Red Sox will have the Yankees, Rays, Jays and O's crying for mercy by the end of June.... then all you bitches can bow down to the mighty and powerful gods of MLB. SUCK IT BITCHES

UNHWildCats wrote:The Red Sox will have the Yankees, Rays, Jays and O's crying for mercy by the end of June.... then all you bitches can bow down to the mighty and powerful gods of MLB. SUCK IT BITCHES

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UNHWildCats wrote:The Red Sox will have the Yankees, Rays, Jays and O's crying for mercy by the end of June.... then all you bitches can bow down to the mighty and powerful gods of MLB. SUCK IT BITCHES

Who is the starting catcher for the Red Sox? They need a serious upgrade, at least defensively, behind the plate, before you can expect the Sox to dominate.

JoltinJoe wrote:

UNHWildCats wrote:The Red Sox will have the Yankees, Rays, Jays and O's crying for mercy by the end of June.... then all you bitches can bow down to the mighty and powerful gods of MLB. SUCK IT BITCHES

Who is the starting catcher for the Red Sox?

Varitek and Salty will combine for 20 HRs.

UNHWildCats wrote:

JoltinJoe wrote:
Who is the starting catcher for the Red Sox?

Varitek and Salty will combine for 20 HRs.

Varitek is done, shot, five years past his best years. And Salty is an awful defensive catcher.

You don't win championships with such weak defensive catchers behind the plate. The Sox will regret not landing Russell Martin. They have the offense to carry his bat. But they really needed his defense.

Name the last team to win with such weak all around defenders behind the plate.

Varitek can still call a great game, but he can't be counted on to catch regularly.

JoltinJoe wrote:

UNHWildCats wrote: Varitek and Salty will combine for 20 HRs.

Varitek is done, shot, five years past his best years. And Salty is an awful defensive catcher.

You don't win championships with such weak defensive catchers behind the plate. The Sox will regret not landing Russell Martin. They have the offense to carry his bat. But they really needed his defense.

Name the last team to win with such weak all around defenders behind the plate.

Varitek can still call a great game, but he can't be counted on to catch regularly.

2009 New York Yankees

UNHWildCats wrote:

JoltinJoe wrote:
Varitek is done, shot, five years past his best years. And Salty is an awful defensive catcher.

You don't win championships with such weak defensive catchers behind the plate. The Sox will regret not landing Russell Martin. They have the offense to carry his bat. But they really needed his defense.

Name the last team to win with such weak all around defenders behind the plate.

Varitek can still call a great game, but he can't be counted on to catch regularly.

2009 New York Yankees

So your response to my question is to name a team whose starting catcher is a borderline Hall of Fame candidate?

Posada is a top offensive catcher; and, if his shoulder ain't what it use to be, he still calls a very good game. And Jose Molina, who played frequently, is a top defensive catcher all the way around.

"What's this I hear about Matt Damon going to the Jays? What's a nice Harvard boy doing, going to a Canadian team when the California teams wanted him? And if Damon goes to Toronto, can Affleck be far behind?

"What? You mean it's Johnny Damon? And he's going to the Rays?

"Never mind!!!" -- Roseanne Roseannadanna, Esq.

JoltinJoe wrote:

UNHWildCats wrote: 2009 New York Yankees

So your response to my question is to name a team whose starting catcher is a borderline Hall of Fame candidate?

Posada is a top offensive catcher; and, if his shoulder ain't what it use to be, he still calls a very good game. And Jose Molina, who played frequently, is a top defensive catcher all the way around.

Yes Posada has had a great career, but by the time of the 2009 season his defense was a liability for the Yankees. He was the starter down the stretch and started 10 playoff games for the Yankees that year.

at this thread.

UNHWildCats wrote:

JoltinJoe wrote:
So your response to my question is to name a team whose starting catcher is a borderline Hall of Fame candidate?

Posada is a top offensive catcher; and, if his shoulder ain't what it use to be, he still calls a very good game. And Jose Molina, who played frequently, is a top defensive catcher all the way around.

Yes Posada has had a great career, but by the time of the 2009 season his defense was a liability for the Yankees. He was the starter down the stretch and started 10 playoff games for the Yankees that year.

But don't you grasp the distinction between Posada and Jarrod Saltalamacchia?

Even in 2009, Posada's defense may not what it one was, but he was still a smart veteran who knew the league and what pitches to call -- a leader on the field.

I'd guess that the Sox are looking to add a solid defensive catcher as we speak.

Anyways...

I think this is a solid move. Manny's declining bat speed is probably more a technique issue from spending so much time hurt. I have no doubt a healthy Manny will be the best DH the Rays have ever had (that's not saying much).

Damon plugs in well in left, not quite the player Craw was obviously, but he'll be more than sufficient. It also gives the Rays a true leadoff hitter, even tho Maddon may not use him that way. Jaso is a good leadoff hitter, but not in the prototypical leadoff hitter mold.

The Rays are still projected for over 90 wins this season, and with the other teams in the East getting better, this is going to be a really tough year to call in the best division in baseball. I'm hoping the Rays can magically find a bullpen arm somewhere, we'll need one more at least. A first baseman would be good, too, but I doubt there are any left.

UNHWildCats wrote:The Red Sox will have the Yankees, Rays, Jays and O's crying for mercy by the end of June.... then all you bitches can bow down to the mighty and powerful gods of MLB. SUCK IT BITCHES

Note: My call that the Yankees would win the AL East this year (which I rationally defended due to concerns over Boston pitching) was another prediction dismissed here as "absurd."

JoltinJoe wrote:

UNHWildCats wrote:The Red Sox will have the Yankees, Rays, Jays and O's crying for mercy by the end of June.... then all you bitches can bow down to the mighty and powerful gods of MLB. SUCK IT BITCHES

Note: My call that the Yankees would win the AL East this year (which I rationally defended due to concerns over Boston pitching) was another prediction dismissed here as "absurd."

haha wow, it was more like the Yankees having the Red Sox and Rays cry for mercy.

AZGrizFan wrote:

UNHWildCats wrote:The Red Sox will have the Yankees, Rays, Jays and O's crying for mercy by the end of June.... then all you bitches can bow down to the mighty and powerful gods of MLB. SUCK IT BITCHES

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AZGrizFan wrote:

AZGrizFan wrote:
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Bump of the Year Nominee!

Anyone see where Manny wants to come back now & says he'll serve out his 100-game suspension. Word is apparently he's broke.

bluehenbillk wrote:Anyone see where Manny wants to come back now & says he'll serve out his 100-game suspension. Word is apparently he's broke.

Yeah I saw the same thing. Originally wanted to play in a dominican league but he was ineligible for whatever reason so he then decides to come out of retirement and serve the suspension.