Design by Tara McCarty
Greg Lindberg
Sports Editor
Most pro sports teams have at least a handful of players who stand out in their history. But when those players eventually leave for other teams, it can be tough to say goodbye as a fan.
The Tampa Bay Rays have lost several key members of their franchise during the current baseball off-season after management decided to reduce payroll. The biggest name to bolt was leftfielder Carl “C.C.” Crawford. The longtime Ray, who had been with the club since being drafted in 1999 scored a huge seven-year, $142-million contract with the Boston Red Sox. The four-time All-Star made countless acrobatic catches in the outfield, stole tons of bases at critical times and blasted numerous game-winning hits in his time with Tampa Bay. His absence will be felt for years to come, while his presence on another American League East team will be even harder to stomach.
Starting pitcher Matt Garza is also gone. The only pitcher to toss a no-hitter in Rays history, Garza landed a deal in the Windy City with the Chicago Cubs. He joins first baseman Carlos Pena, who also inked a surprising one-year, $10-million contract with the Cubs.
Others who are now ex-Rays include shortstop Jason Bartlett, relief pitchers Grant Balfour and Dan Wheeler as well as closer Rafael Soriano. The king of closing will also stay in the AL East after signing with the New York Yankees to be a set-up man behind legendary Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. Soriano set the record for saves in a single season for the Rays with 45.
The Rays have received several prospects that are projected to make an impact in the major leagues to replace those departing. Pithcer Chris Archer came over from the Cubs organization had a gaudy 15-3 record with a 2.34 ERA in the minors last season. Hak-Ju Lee, a 20-year-old shortstop from South Korea, was ranked as one of the top prospects in the game by Baseball America. The Rays got three other players from Chicago in the Garza trade, including Sam Fuld, an outfielder who hasn’t played regularly but has shown great defensive skills.
The only problem with losing veterans and gaining prospects is that we all have to wait for them to become successful. This is something most sports franchises go through, but it oftentimes can be like growing pains. We become anxious as fans to see our teams win, but realize in the back of our minds that it is going to take time.
Luckily for the Rays, they still have a solid nucleus of talent in place to at least compete in their division. Evan Longoria and David Price will likely lead the way for the team. Meanwhile, players like B.J. Upton, Ben Zobrist and Reid Brignac have shown amazing potential and skill at times but do have their drawbacks as well.
Perhaps the most interesting stat is that the Rays have the top farm system in all of baseball. That means in addition to the prospects they have received, there is plenty of talent stockpiled in the lower levels of the organization.
So when the first pitch of the regular season is thrown on April 1st against the Baltimore Orioles, don’t be fooled into thinking this team will be as good in 2011 as in recent years. Losing players will have an impact. However, by 2013 or 2014, the Rays should be a contender once again, or maybe they will surprise us before then like they did in 2008.
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