Last Time I Checked Tampa Bay Didn’t Have Manny

The Rays have been nothing short of outstanding this year in their quest to the World Series, and regardless of how their season ends, I think they are a model of how to build a Championship Caliber Team.  I keep hearing that we need a power hitter in the lineup and that we HAVE to sign Manny Ramirez.  I respectfully disagree.  This year’s Dodger team has vastly more experience than the Rays and yet the Rays are acting like they are the experienced team.  I purpose that we let our vets, including Lowe, Penny, Saito, Nomar, Kent and Blake walk, and trade Pierre.  With that money we can sign Manny, CC and Furcal, but even if we don’t sign Manny because his price is too high, we still have Andruw Jones, and Delwyn Young or another Free Agent (Dunn?).  Let’s compare what next-years team would look like verses this years version of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Dodgers of next year

Position

Rays of this year

Martin -  26 years old, 2-time All-Star, 3 Seasons, one of the best C in baseball

C

Navarro ? 24 years old ? Until 2008, best year was 2007 when he hit b.227

Loney -  25 years old, 2 full seasons, career .303 hitter (budding superstar)

1B

Pena ? 30 years old ? was a journeyman until 2007 when he had 47 HR

DeJesus -  22 years old, Rookie, Dodgers Minor League Position Player of the Year

2B

Iwamura ? 29 years old, has less than 500 MLB at bats until this year

Furcal ? 31 years old, multiple time All-Star, one of the best at his position

SS

Bartlett ? 28 years old, hit .265 for the Twins has 1,000 MLB at-bats before this year

DeWitt ? 24 years old, 1 solid season .264/9 HR,  52 RBI in a little over 300 AB?s

3B

Longoria ? 23 year-old rookie

Manny ? 37 years old, the 4^th best LF of all time

LF

Crawford ? 27 years old ? 6^th year

Kemp ? 25 years old, .299 career average in 2 seasons (budding superstar)

CF

Upton -  24 years old ? 2^nd full season

Ethier ? 27 years old, .299 career average in 3 seasons

RF

Gross, Baldelli, Perez ? Nothing major here

Our young players with  “potential” are being seasoned and coming of age.  We need to continue to be patient and let them grow into their positions.  Matt Kemp has 50 HR potential.  Will he hit 50 next year?  I doubt it, but 30 is likely.  Loney and Ethier?  Ditto.  Nothing will sway me that Blake DeWitt won’t be a solid 2B or 3B, not an All-Star, but a ballplayer!   DeJesus is a solid player who should help from the start. 

By the way, Jim Callis of Baseball America says that Clayton Kershaw, not Chad Billingsley will be our ace.  Maybe not next year, but soon!  I agree.  James McDonald will surprise as well.  Look for an improved version of Scott Elbert a year removed from surgery.  Don’t forget about Andrew Lambo who is on a very fast track.  If this year ends, even tonight, I still think the future is very bright, however…

LET’S WIN TONIGHT, CHAD!  A 4-HIT SHUTOUT WOULD SHUTUP THE NAYSAYERS!

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