2012 Tampa Bay Rays

[BucsFan4090]

I have not followed the Rays much in a while so can some peeps fill me in...

How do they look this year? Does anyone get the feeling like they could be contenders this year?

Also, have the bats returned or does it still suck as ever?

[Detrimental]

http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120403&content_id=27878700&vkey=news_tb&c_id=tb

Kyle Farnsworth is likely headed to the disabled list with a right elbow issue, which in turn likely leaves the Rays' ninth inning to Joel Peralta, Fernando Rodney or both.

Red Sox lost Bailey so its all good.

Can't wait to see the young guys develop in our system. Enny Romero, Taylor Guerrieri, Josh Sale, and Drew Vettleson should be fun to watch this off-season. They like O'Conner's plus arm from the catching spot but his bat has been suspect thus far. Still though at 19-20 these guys will eventually be the top of the farm system once Lee, Beckham, and Archer become everyday players. Archer for BP assistance of course.

[Biggs3535]

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/content/rodriguez-will-be-primary-ss

I love watching this guy play defense, but that bat has to pick up.

On Brignac, I sure wish the team had pulled the trigger with the Pirates on the Brignac/Niemann-for-Jason Bay deal.  The 2008 World Series might have went a bit differently, as Bay's bat was pretty strong in the playoffs.

[Detrimental]

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/content/rodriguez-will-be-primary-ss

I love watching this guy play defense, but that bat has to pick up.

On Brignac, I sure wish the team had pulled the trigger with the Pirates on the Brignac/Niemann-for-Jason Bay deal.  The 2008 World Series might have went a bit differently, as Bay's bat was pretty strong in the playoffs.

No doubt about that with that trade. Even though Rodriguez has yet to bat well, its not like Brignac is offering us anything better. Sucks to say b/c once Lee is ready Brignac would have very little trade value if any.

[Beatles123]

Not looking so sharp right now...

[Detrimental]

Why bunt in that situation?

[BucBalla85]

Nice win! Good for Pena.

[Detrimental]

Pena had a monster game. Grand slam AND the GW base hit. Jennings is a stud, Longoria looks healthy as ever at the plate, and Pena providing some power behind him. Great win. Tomorrow is Price vs Kuroda

[dbucfan]

Nice start - great 9th inning rally for the win...

[-ts]

Awesome 1st game.

Lets keep it rolling tomorrow.

[Biggs3535]

What a game from Longoria and 'Los. 

The Bullpen also deserves majors props.  They gave the team 4 innings of no-hit baseball.

[dbucfan]

Too soon to be a  signature win - but this is one folks might look back on as the season wears on

[-ts]

2-0

[-ts]

Broom has a little bit of dust on it, but it feels good to break it out.

Get it done.

[Rusty]

It would really set the tone for the year and get the fan base juiced to attend games. I'd like to see the Rays push 25,000 to 30,000 per game this year. They just can't go into an early slump, gotta get hot early.