Carl Crawford

o stay.  They lead the AL East by 3.5 games, and have played well even through key injuries to Carl Crawford, Evan Longoria and Troy Percival.  Whether or not the Red Sox overtake them will depend on how the young Tampa rotation responds to reaching career-high innings totals.

Continue reading "Seven Runs: Too Little, Too Early"

    Despite a myriad of doubters in the sports media, and injuries to key players Carl Crawford, Evan Longoria and Troy Percival, the Rays continue to roll.  After defeating the Angels 4-2 on Tuesday night behind yet another strong outing from James Shields, Tampa Bay has won five straight home games against baseball's best team.  The Rays now lead the Red Sox by 4.5 games in the AL East, and opened up their lead on the Yankees to 11 games.  Are the Yankees even worth mentioning in the division race anymore?

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But Iwamura reached on an infield single that scored Aybar, B.J. Upton and Carl Crawford hit back-to-back two-run doubles, and Carlos Pena drove in another on a single. Had Pena not tried to stretch the single to a double--as

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ght and Young, as well as Rocco Baldelli’s chronic injuries, they can still run farm products Carl Crawford (.278/.321/.410 with wheels and a great glove in center and B.J. Upton .286/.399/.415 at age 23 and one of the real five-tool prospects in the game) out there, along with trade pickup Gabe Gross, farm product Jonny Gomes, or free agent DH/1B/OF (and 2002 ROY) Eric Hinske. Hinske’s giving back his $800K salary with .267/.351/.533 numbers, while fellow DH Cliff Floyd, when he’s healthy, can put up .255/.345/.571 to go with a $2.75M one-year contract.

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seems ready to emerge as the star he is projected to be now that he is settled into centerfield and Carl Crawford returns as one of the most exciting players in the game. Scott Kazmir and James Shields will anchor a young rotation and will be joined by former Twins prospect Matt Garza. Carlos Pena, Cliff Floyd and Troy Percival should provide veteran leadership to help this young team through the grind of the Major Leage season. The Rays won't contend for the division this year, but could finish around .500 and prove to be problematic for the teams at the top of the division. With more talent from the minors on the way, especially top pitching prospects Wade Davis and David Price, Tampa Bay might be able to contend with the big boys in a couple of years.

Continue reading "American League East is a Beast of a Division"