After six consecutive winning seasons with four playoff appearances that included a 2008 World Series appearance the Tampa Bay Rays face an uncertain if not troubling future. With the loss of superstar manager Joe Maddon and the recent trade of Wil Myers, it appears to many as if the Rays have put up the white flag of surrender before the 2015 season has even started.
Beginning of the End?
Even at the height of their winning ways, the Rays were a terrible home draw with an apathetic fan base that would surrender Tropicana Field to enemy fans, especially those of the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. The case of the Rays being moved to Montreal, is gaining momentum. The Rays had a proposed stadium location shot down by local politicians last week. If the Rays could not generate fans, passion, and a new stadium when they were winning what is going to happen now that they are done before they even start?
Blockbuster Trade
The Rays acquired Will Myers from the Kansas City Royals with great fanfare and when Myers won the 2013 American League Rookie of the Year Award it appeared to be a portent of success to come for Tampa Bay. But the Rays sent Myers to San Diego as part of an 11-player, three-team deal that also involved the Washington Nationals.
The Rays acquired outfielder Steven Souza from Washington, catcher Rene Rivera from San Diego, first baseman Jake Bauers from San Diego, right hand pitcher Burch Smith from San Diego, and left hand pitcher Travis Ott from Washington. Tampa Bay sent Myers, catcher Ryan Hanigan, right hand pitcher Gerardo Reyes, and left hand pitcher Jose Castillo to San Diego.
Baptism under Fire for new GM
Tampa Bay general manager Matt Silverman sacrificed a plethora of potential run production from Myers and Hanigan as he is “taking this thing forward,” which can be interpreted as shaving payroll and cutting costs even if he denies it publicly.
“This is a baseball trade, and one we believe will make our club more competitive for 2015 and beyond,” said Silverman, the former team President that took over as GM when Andrew Friedman departed for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Silverman’s argument is that the Rays finished 19 games behind first place Baltimore in the AL East last year so why not blow it up.
“”This is about a trade that makes us a better club this year and going forward,” Silverman added.
Sounds like nothing but spin. In reality this looks like a team that is going nowhere, except perhaps to Montreal.
