Rays 2011 Bullpen…

The Rays bullpen will have a much different feel to it heading into the 2011 season. There’s not much surprise considering the payroll reduction and the inevitable loss of stud closer Rafeal Soriano.

In the past the Rays management has done a tremendous job finding guys on the rebound. None more then Joaquin Benoit who was coming off major surgery and well worth the risk at the minimum price they got him for. There were hopes he would resign with the club and take over has the closer but was offered to good of a deal to turn down by the Tigers. At 16.5 million over three years Detroit made him one the highest paid middle reliever in the game. The Tigers have closer Jose Valverde signed for one more season at 8 million so Benoit could take over as their closer after that adding to a monster bullpen with flame throwers Ryan Perry and the often injured Joel Zumaya.

The Rays closer job is now up in the air and appears to be up for grabs in spring training. Frank Francisco of the Rangers could be a nice pickup who has closer experience and no job after being beaten out by eventual ROY Neftali Feliz. Lefty specialist Randy Choate will most likely be heading out of town with youngster Jake Mcgee filling is role. Also, lefty J.P. Howell will be back for the 2011 season after missing all of last season. His skill set his much better suited for 7^th and 8^th inning duty. If the Rays can resign Grant Balfour the pen may not be as bad as some are predicting. An intriguing player to watch coming into spring training will also be prospect Matt Moore who could eventually take over the 9^th inning. As of right now though Andy Sonnanstine is the only Rays pitcher under contract from last year and a decent long reliever and spot starter.

They have to figure out what’s going on with the rotation too which could have an effect on who they could get in return in a possible trade. In my opinion, James Shields is the guy to move. He’s making 4 million for 2011 and could easily rebound in the N.L. If Jon Garland can win 15 in the National League, Shields could win 20. I would try to package him along with veteran shortstop Jason Bartlett and let Reid Brignac take over at SS. The Cardinals are a perfect fit for both. Not only that but it opens up a hole in the rotation for Jeremy Hellickson. Matt Garza could no doubt fetch more in the trade market but shouldn’t be going anywhere. The Rays could use a big time first base prospect but would be better suited going after a young arm in the bullpen. Either way it should make for an interesting off season with much more to come.

Point The Finger: Pat Burrell

It seemed to be a perfect fit. One side was in need of a right handed power hitting outfielder (the Rays) and the other side was in need of a contract (Pat Burrell). The two came together in the off season before the 2009 season. The Tampa Bay Rays signed veteran outfielder Pat Burrell to a 2-year, 16 million dollar contract. Some experts at the time thought the Rays got him for a steal. Then again Bobby Abreu signed a 1-year, 5 million dollar deal that off season too. But we all know how Rays manager Joe Maddon is obsessed with righty-lefty match ups and manipulating the lineup. It all made perfect sense. It was suppose to be the perfect scenario. The Rays were/are young and energetic with speed all over the diamond. Mix in a guy with over 250 career home runs into an already potent lineup and you have a recipe for success.

Only one slight problem…Burrell couldn’t DH. I can see why the Rays brass would want him to. I’m sure they mentioned it in negotiations. I’m guessing Burrell didn’t realize how hard it would be. Some aging players transition into it perfectly like a Thome, Baines, or Martinez, the list goes on. Even some younger players like a Jason Kubel can handle it. Pat Burrell? Not so much.

He is not the fleetest of foot, but can make all the routine plays of in the outfield. I mean, the guy did spend 9 seasons in leftfield for the Phillies. I do agree with and love the Rays organizational philosophy of speed, pitching and defense. In my opinion, Burrell, could have played once or twice a week in the outfield and DH once or twice a week. It could have happened. It could have worked. In my opinion, the hard headedness of Joe Maddon would not allow him to touch the field. I wouldn’t be surprised if Maddon and Burrell got into it several times in the clubhouse. You could tell Burrell was not happy here. I never saw the guy smile. He was half hearted in game winning celebrations. These are just casual observations, but it was obvious. Check the video. He usually was alone in the dugout. He had a run in with Carl Crawford. I do think he was giving 100 percent though. He does come off like a pro and not someone who would tank it. I don’t think he pulled a Ben Grieve and quit on his teammates or a Vinny Castilla and played his way out of town. He just had no fire here. He did have a neck issue too. I mean, come on. The Tampa Bay area was mostly not the problem but I would bet the Trop was a small, small contributing factor. I’m willing to bet most players do not disagree with the statements of Zack Grienke, who if you can’t recall said the Trop was a joke and a disco club with the music and strobe lights and blah, blah, blah. Pat Burrell was also a National League lifer. Having to face A.L. pitching for the first time on a regular basis, especially in the East, is no east task. Pitcher’s have a huge advantage when facing a hitter for the first time.

The Rays did what they felt was necessary and cut him loose at the end of May. This decision also made sense for the Rays. It just wasn’t working and the Rays were risking losing former All-Star Hank Blalock who was waiting in the wings down in Durham. Another pickup that didn’t work out, but none the less a nice attempt. Pat Burrell finished 2010 only hitting 2 home runs for the Rays and a grand total of 16 in his Tampa Bay career. That’s right. One million dollars for every home run hit in a Rays uniform.

He then went on to sign with the future World Series champion San Francisco Giants. His best friend and former University of Miami teammate was the starting first baseman. He was back in the N.L. Back to playing everyday outfield. He went on to hit 18 home runs for the Giants and was a major contributor in the playoff run. The World Series? Not so much.

He was the exact player the Rays needed. Something went wrong. I’m not sure exactly what, but I’m willing to put some of the blame on Joe Maddon and him being so stubborn until Burrell just checked out mentally. I still feel like it was a good signing that for whatever reason, scratch that, many reasons did not work out. Atleast not for the Rays. Once again Pat Burrell was a world champion, just for the wrong team.

South Florida – The USF Bulls took a big step forward in turning their season around with a 38-30 victory Thursday night versus Big East rival Cincinnati. After losing two games in a row the Bulls stepped it up in a major way. Their conference record is now 1-2 and 4-3 overall. They still have a chance at their first ever Big East title but will most likely have to win out in their remaining conference schedule. The Bulls still face off against Pittsburgh, Louisville, and Connecticut. Bulls quarterback B.J. Daniels seemed to tap into that potential everyone was hyping before the season started. The Bulls finally took advantage of what he does well, which will be imperative to their success. Daniels, was not head coach Skip Holtz’s recruit, but they are stuck together and have to make it work. He is an athletic freak and the offense, in my opinion, should be based more on using Daniels running ability. The University of Auburn, for example, realizes what they have in Heisman hopeful Cam Newton and don’t try to make him do to much. They play to his strengths, even if that means running the ball ten times in a row. Every team at every level strives for balance but if your personal is better suited for a particular style it is on the coaching staff to bring the best out of each player and have them come together as a unit. This is where I feel Holtz has failed the most in his first season in Tampa. I realize very few college coaches have success in their first year at a new program and the future is still bright for the Bulls. Holtz, has had success in college and I still feel like a great hire. Let’s not forget USF is still a young and up and coming program. Recruiting in the state of Florida is always a priority and will give Skip a chance to put more of his own finger print on the program.