Tampa Bay Rays Team Thread

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I am pleased to announce that the BBFTG Tampa Bay Rays are under new management. I understand that the team struggled last year, but I am looking forward to building the team, and challenging for the World Series shortly. Check here for all news and updates regarding the Rays.

Let's Go Rays!

[cubbieblue23]

Starting Rotation:
Mark Mulder, LH
Tim Stauffer, RH
Chris Seddon, LH
Wandy Rodriguez, LH
Clayton Kershaw, LH

Bullpen:
Doug Waechter, RH
Carlos Hines, RH
Seth McClung, RH
Chad Harville, RH
Matt Guerrier, RH
Kyle Farnsworth, RH

Catcher:
Kevin Cash
Josh Paul

Infield:
Travis Lee, 1B
Robert Asanovich, 2B
Juan Uribe, SS/IF
Aramis Ramirez, 3B
Wes Bankston, 1B/CF
Mark Loretta, 2B/IF

Outfield:
Luke Scott, LF
Brent Clevlen, RF
Darnell McDonald, RF

Minor Leagues:

Pitchers:
Jon Switzer, LHRP
Denny Bautista, RHSP
Jeremy Guthrie, RHSP
Mark Malaska, LHRP
Shawn Camp, RHRP
Dicky Gonzalez, RHSP
Ryan Vogelsong, RHRP
Franklin Nunez, RHRP
Brian Stokes, RHSP
Andrew Sonnastine, RHSP
Jason Hammel, RHSP (DL)
James Houser, RHSP
Chuck Tiffany, RHSP
Edwin Jackson, RHSP
Wade Davis, RHSP
Kevin Mulvey, RHRP
Chris Mason, RHRP
Jon Barratt, RHSP
Matt Walker, RHSP
Jeff Niemann, RHSP

Catchers:
Charles Johnson
Shawn Riggans

Infield:
Chris Coghlan, 3B

Outfield:

[cubbieblue23]

Rays Acquire Ramirez

The Tampa Bay Rays would like to officially announce the acquistion of third baseman Aramis Ramirez from the Chicago Cubs in a three player deal that also saw prospects Tim Stauffer and Brent Clevlen come to Tampa from the San Diego Padres. Stauffer and Clevlen are a starting pitcher and right fielder, respectively. In exchange, the Rays sent center fielder Willy Taveras and starting pitcher Mark Mulder to the Padres and infield prospect Reid Brignac go to Chicago.

"We are pleased to bring a bat like Aramis' into the line-up," said the Rays general manager. "Although we will miss Mulder in the rotation and were very high on Brignac, we feel the trade will make our team better in the long-run as well as the short-term."

In Other News:

The Rays re-signed Taveras to a $5.2 million, 2 year deal, just before he was traded to the Padres. Also re-signed was reliever Jermey Guthrie to a deal that pays $6.8 million over 4 years.

Pitcher Freddy Garcia rejected a $30.9 million, three year deal and will become a free agent.[/SIZE][/FONT]

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Rays Draft Moustakas

With the fourth pick in today's BBFTG First Year Player Draft, the Tampa Bay Rays selected SS/3B Mike Moustakas of Chatsworth High School in Chatsworth, CA. Moustakas is known for his incredible bat and superior arm.

"The Rays look forward to seeing Moustakas mature as a baseball player in the years ahead." said the Rays General Manager.

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Fossum Returns for another year
The Tampa Bay Rays exercised the $3 million team option on SP Casey Fossum for the 2008 season. The 29-year-old lefty only pitched in 8 games for the Rays last year. He had a 4-6 record with a 3.54 ERA for AAA Durham.