In your liffetime, do you see the Tampa Bay Devil Rays becomiing the American League East Division Champions? Why or why not?
2007-02-28 16:25:23 · 10 answers · asked by Mr. Knowledgeable VI 7 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Possibly because they have a lot of young players. It would seem possible they could win if they would spend some money on a good young free agent.
2007-02-28 23:00:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The arguement that the Devil Rays could never compete because of payroll differences is bogus. It is true that the Yankees and Redsox have the first and second highest payrolls in the game respectively but it is also true that the Oakland A's have been competing for years with a payroll half or even a third of the size as them. The Twins would be another example. It all stems from a pair or trio of home grown talent and more importantly club chemistry. The Yankees could get every top free agent every year and on paper they look like they belong in a league of their own yet they fail to win the world series. So, there are several factors that have nothing to do with money and because of that it is more than possible that the devil rays could become a contender in the AL East sometime in the near future.
2007-03-01 06:27:41 · answer #2 · answered by lchcsince1975 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so. I am not being cruel here, just telling the truth, but it's just not going to happen. In the past several years, they have had a LOT of young talent going through Tampa Bay, but for some reason it seems to never develop and fizzle out. Example, look at B.J. Upton. He was supposed to be a great shortstop, and develop some power to go with his speed. The only thing he does is steal bases. He is a terrible defensive player, and it looks like he is going to have to play the outfield. His hitting has been OK, but he has little power. It goes on and on. Rocco Baldelli missed a year and a half. Their #1 pick from 1999, Josh Hamilton had substance abuse problems and they finally gave up on him. The Rays got Ben Grieve, a very good young hitter, from Oakland several years ago, and he lost it. And two of their best young prospects, Elijah Dukes, and Delmon Young have anger management problems, but hopefully they can get it straightened out. I just don't think that Tampa Bay does its homework when acquiring these guys. Their first round pick from last year, Evan Longoria looks like a stud, but who knows?
2007-02-28 16:43:29 · answer #3 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but it will have to take alot. Lets see I do have about 50 more years of life if I live to the average so first management has to change and know how to make good decisions. Second, the Tampa market sucks. They should try to move into a place like maybe Buffalo, Inianapolis San Antonio. Third, hope and pray the Yanks and Sox have an off-season.
2007-02-28 17:10:42 · answer #4 · answered by Paul D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think I will see them even stay in Tampa/St. Petersburg in my lifetime. Baseball isn't fair when it comes to revenue; theres no way they can compete in a division with the Yankees and Red Sox. add in the Jays who are now spending more money, and it gets even tougher to win. TB's only hope is to develop enough young, talented pitching. They have some good young players like Delmon Young, but they really need some good pitching. until they get that, they will always be near the bottom of the AL East.
2007-02-28 16:31:50 · answer #5 · answered by afc_wimbledon333 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, unless they somehow move to a different division without the yankees and redsox, two of the highest pay roll teams in the league. but hey anything can happen, 1969 mets anybody?
2007-02-28 16:46:50 · answer #6 · answered by Jim B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they have a good chance in our life time. If and only if, ownership Will ever pay to keep their good young talent there in Tampa. If they trade some expendable pieces, they have to be able to bring in productive veterans. If players have career years and people actually get behind them.
2007-02-28 16:37:23 · answer #7 · answered by Too Cool For Me 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd like to see them win it here in the next few years. I like Joe Maddon. Very good manager for the club. Plus, would love to see the Yankees at the bottom for a change.
2007-03-01 21:56:36 · answer #8 · answered by M. D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they choose their very own branch with Washington, Kansas city, and Pittsburg. Re-manage the divisions in line with final twelve months's gained/lost share. And use the dh for 6 innings.
2016-10-02 03:40:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stranger things have happened...
2007-03-01 10:33:44 · answer #10 · answered by wendersca 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋