2012 Rays Season Accomplishments

[Yaz]

12-2 run to finish the season, tops in the AL in walks, starting pitching ERA and reliever ERA, second in stolen bases, likely Cy Young Award for Price and the best season for a closer ever in Rodney. And the pitching staff set the AL record for strikeouts in a season which included 61 games of 10 k's or more (another record).

Sad to see Upton leave. He'll be a 30/30 star for whichever team he signs with next year.

All in all a great season for not making the post-season.

For 2013, even if the Rays trade a pitcher for a bat they should still have the best 1-5 rotation in the AL. I'd keep the same team with just a more productive first basemen but replacing those S-Rod, Brignac, Conrad, Matsui at-bats with some .250 hitters would be great too.

[raysnbran]

I think they led the AL in errors too, which is not the Rays way of winning. We live and die with pitching and great defense and timely hitting. Getting only 1 out of 3 is why we are playing golf now instead of being a playoff team.

Upton is more a 20-30 guy, can be a 25-40 guy, but I don't think he has ever hit 30 HRs in a season. His effort has been questioned at times, but he's great in the clubhouse and showed true emotion last night in his last home game. Whether he can excel in a bigger market will be another question teams will need to decide (see Crawford, Carl).

First basemen with power cost money. I would love them to re-sign Keppinger and put him at 1B, Roberts at 2B, Zobrist SS, Longoria 3B. Move Jennings over to CF, Joyce in RF, and I don't know in LF. Fuld is not the answer, we may have to dig in the bargain bin, unless they think Francisco can be an every day player. Catcher is another black hole that needs filling.

[Yaz]

I am fine will all of that but Fuld has to at least be kept on the team. Lots of money will be available to at least get solid platoon guys. If the Rays get lucky with a Jonny Gomes type and a solid infielder with good D they'll be set. If they want a good catcher they'll have to pay.

I don't believe in paying for expensive first basemen who play no other positions. If the Rays wouldn't have done that with Pena then Kepp would have had more at bats this season.

[raysnbran]

Yeah, they'll keep Fuld around, after his Super Sam role in 2011. Teams figured him out after his hot start, but he can be a good spot starter and defensive replacement. I just don't want him starting 140 games in 2013.

What do you all think the market will be on Melky Cabrera? He cost himself millions, still has 5 games left on his suspension, but I'm wondering if a lot of teams will still be interested. If teams shy away from him, we may be able to afford him if his salary comes down enough. Loney might be a good 1B option if the Sox don't re-up him.

[Yaz]

If they hadn't been burned by Manny I'd say yes to Cabrera. I was just thinking Loney would be a good pickup with his .339 lifetime OBP. Getting just 10 homers from him though is exactly what the Rays don't need. Maybe Jennings, Joyce, Zobrist, Longoria, and a re-signed Scott all hit 20 homers...and maybe none of them will. Someone has to be picked up at DH, 1B, or C who almost definitely will.

AJ Pierzinski's numbers are great for a free agent catcher but I don't think the Rays will want to sign such a dirty player.

[raysnbran]

Even though he may have already turned into Pat Burrell 2.0, maybe offer a low level prospect for Jason Bay if the Mets pick up all but a million of his 2013 salary and hope he finds his stroke in his contract year? Reaching for straws here. AJ has history with the Rays, don't think they could afford him even at his age, he can still command a decent contract for 2 year deal.

[Blue387]

Even though he may have already turned into Pat Burrell 2.0, maybe offer a low level prospect for Jason Bay if the Mets pick up all but a million of his 2013 salary and hope he finds his stroke in his contract year? Reaching for straws here. AJ has history with the Rays, don't think they could afford him even at his age, he can still command a decent contract for 2 year deal.

The Mets could use a catcher or outfielder.

[raysnbran]

The Rays have Jose Molina, Jose Lobaton and Chris Jiminez at catcher...we need a catcher too. And we are losing Upton to free agency, so we need a CF too. Dumpster diving at it's finest again. Is Kurt Suzuki a FA? If so, I would like the Rays to sign him as a decent catcher that shouldn't cost too much. The Nationals will get their young catcher Wilson Ramos back for 2013. If anyone can link the 2012 offseason free agent list here, that would be helpful to pick through for possible signees.

[RaysFan_98]

The Rays have Jose Molina, Jose Lobaton and Chris Jiminez at catcher...we need a catcher too. And we are losing Upton to free agency, so we need a CF too. Dumpster diving at it's finest again. Is Kurt Suzuki a FA? If so, I would like the Rays to sign him as a decent catcher that shouldn't cost too much. The Nationals will get their young catcher Wilson Ramos back for 2013. If anyone can link the 2012 offseason free agent list here, that would be helpful to pick through for possible signees.

I hope they get rid of molina Lobo and Giminez have been great

[raysnbran]

I hope they get rid of molina Lobo and Giminez have been great

I think the word "great" is used too liberally in the world of sports!

[RaysFan_98]

I think the word "great" is used too liberally in the world of sports!

Lets just say they are better Defensivily sure Molina can frame a pitch but he is a passed ball machine. And Lobo and Giminez have really started to come into there own.