Post by greeme on Jul 3, 2014 0:02:27 GMT -5
Heightened Expectations
The Devil Rays were doormats until the last 2 years. GM Greeme convinced the owner to open up his checkbook and it has paid off. The Rays have won the last 2 AL East division titles and won 222 games in the last 2 years. This year looks to be more of the same. The Rays traded some of their older players and are now slightly younger but just as good. In fa they added 2 solid veterans who will help the Rays compete. While others have been quick to give the credit to Greeme he has said that it is all about the players meeting expectations and fusing as a team.
The Rays have lost in the playoffs each of the last to years to the Mariners and are looking to change that this year. New faces abound in TB led by right fielder John-Ford Griffin. John has already gone on record as saying that he will beat Dunn for the hr lead this year. Additional players who were added include Orlando Hudson, Dennis Stark, Robert Fick, Tony Cobo and Aron Dardar.
The Rays also shored up a mediocre minor league system by adding Wellington Castillo and Logan Morrison. Their top prospect, Jordan Zimmerman, is set to make his major league debut in May if all goes well.
Relating to the seat expansion, GM Greeme said, "Our owner has done his part by giving out the contracts now the fans have to do their by showing up at the ballpark. We need the seat expansion to generate additional revenue. We were constantly selling out by the end of last year so hopefully this will lets us expand our fan base and let more fans feel the ballpark experience. If the fans won't take a financial interest in the team there is no way we can keep this payroll together."
The Devil Rays were doormats until the last 2 years. GM Greeme convinced the owner to open up his checkbook and it has paid off. The Rays have won the last 2 AL East division titles and won 222 games in the last 2 years. This year looks to be more of the same. The Rays traded some of their older players and are now slightly younger but just as good. In fa they added 2 solid veterans who will help the Rays compete. While others have been quick to give the credit to Greeme he has said that it is all about the players meeting expectations and fusing as a team.
The Rays have lost in the playoffs each of the last to years to the Mariners and are looking to change that this year. New faces abound in TB led by right fielder John-Ford Griffin. John has already gone on record as saying that he will beat Dunn for the hr lead this year. Additional players who were added include Orlando Hudson, Dennis Stark, Robert Fick, Tony Cobo and Aron Dardar.
The Rays also shored up a mediocre minor league system by adding Wellington Castillo and Logan Morrison. Their top prospect, Jordan Zimmerman, is set to make his major league debut in May if all goes well.
Relating to the seat expansion, GM Greeme said, "Our owner has done his part by giving out the contracts now the fans have to do their by showing up at the ballpark. We need the seat expansion to generate additional revenue. We were constantly selling out by the end of last year so hopefully this will lets us expand our fan base and let more fans feel the ballpark experience. If the fans won't take a financial interest in the team there is no way we can keep this payroll together."