2007-02-16 17:29:13 · 10 answers · asked by Jared J 1 in Sports ➔ Baseball
The Rays have accumulated talent and I think they could suprise some people this year. In the tough east they won't go to the playoffs, but I think they have a legitimate shot at .500. Look at their outfield this year. If they stay healthy I would say it is the best in the bigs. Crawford is possibly the most underrated player in the game and Young will win the rookie of the year this year over Dice-K. So I don't think that they are exactly throwing in the towel, they are just doing what they can with a limited ppayroll. It doesn't help that free agents are getting ridiculous contracts this off-season, there is no way a team like the Rays will pay 40 million for a number 2 starter.
2007-02-17 04:10:02 · answer #1 · answered by pemmican 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they are in a very competitve league and just can't really match up right now. I believe they will be competitive not too far in the future because they have a lot of young talent such as Delmon Young, B.J. Upton, Jonny Gomes, Jorge Cantu, and Scott Kazmir. They also drafted 3B Evan Longoria out of Long Beach State who will be a very good MLB infielder. So i think the D Rays are making improvements for the future and will someday compete with the Yankees and Red Sox
2007-02-17 11:51:39 · answer #2 · answered by jordanhomiejjj 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Major Leage Baseball has a system set up where big market teams, such as the two New York teams, put money into a kitty that is split between the small market teams such as your Devil Rays. Most of these franchises can fill a park anyway. But the owners,rather than use that money to get a couple of quality players put the extra cash in their pockets. If you watch closely you will see that once in a while they will go ahead and buy a quality player, usually in the twilight of his career. As much as I don't like Steinbrenner, sometimes we all need to listen to what he say's.
2007-02-17 15:28:34 · answer #3 · answered by dinging53 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look for the D-rays to be much more competitive in the next three years. They have far and away the best minor league system in baseball. The problem is that without a great fan base in FLA, they won't be able to keep their players and will have to be creative to remain competitive(as competitive as they can in the AL East anyway). Here is a link to their minor league ranking.
2007-02-17 01:50:41 · answer #4 · answered by Kenny 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't have the capital means to be. Plus their fan base is small and they lack attendance at their games. When the Yankees play down there, there are more Yankees fans in attandance then Ray fans. That's very bad.
2007-02-17 09:30:03 · answer #5 · answered by Oz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they do. it's just a lot harder when you play in a terrible stadium, for fans who don't care, and an owner who won't invest much in new players. they have to develop players themselves, because they can't sign big-time free agents, and the simple fact is that that takes time usually 3-4 years. and of course playing in the same division as the yankees and red sox basically ensures they will never make the playoffs
2007-02-17 02:50:39 · answer #6 · answered by C_Millionaire 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's just not affordable for them to go out and sign all big names like certain teams from NY do. Until that day comes, look forward to many many years in the cellar.
2007-02-17 01:32:25 · answer #7 · answered by jh361 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Small market. Fans don't care. As long as the team makes money some how, the owners don't care if they win.
2007-02-17 01:40:31 · answer #8 · answered by yblur 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they are in the AL East where they could play for 4th place at best lol
2007-02-17 01:36:10 · answer #9 · answered by Glen Quagmire 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋