‘09 > ‘08 baby, THE Tampa Bay Rays Blog

What Head lines will ever consistent James Shields produce in 2009?

Hello, my name is Dennis Ross and I will be your blogger for the Tampa Bay Rays for hopefully a long time. Here’s just some basic stuff about me.

Background:

Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, I am more then half way through my Junior year at LM High School. I get half way decent grades and play football for my high school.

How I became a Rays fan:

I first got hooked by baseball about 7-8 years ago, as the Yankees were dominating baseball, and my home town team, the Phillies, were a name synonymous with failure (This year and last year are convenient exceptions, as the Phillies happened to turn legit once I started following the Rays, kinda funny). I did not follow the Phillies or any one team in specific for quite a few years, enjoying watching the games that were on and not really rooting for anybody, until a few months ago. I started to plan out my future with the idea of moving to Tampa Bay after college or maybe even going to college (I see the University of Tampa as a top 3 possible college). Also, I am fond of a Tampa, which came out of nowhere and proved the whole league wrong.

My first impressions of the 2009 Rays season to be:

Great. Once more, the Rays are being low balled by most people who see them as the third best team in the AL East, behind big spender New York and a healthy Boston squad. The Rays thrive on this kind of thing, and will look once more to play with a chip on there shoulder. Anyway, the AL East race will no doubt be one of the best, if not the best race in the AL, and that the Rays will follow their new motto well, ‘09 > ‘08.

Ross’ rapid fire notes and analysis:

• The Tampa Bay Rays have signed pitcher Jason Isringhausen to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

1. An attempt to keep the Bull Pen intact if (or more like when) Troy Percival goes down. Izzy might not be getting any younger, but he does provide good depth.

• The Rays made a minor trade Thursday, sending right hander Juan Salas, who was designated for assignment on Feb. 12, to the Indians for Minor League second baseman Isaias Velasquez.

1. The Rays have a surplus of relief pitching and are looking to deal some players who are running out of minor league options for some younger talent to develop. This trade is pretty fair on both sides.

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