Small Market Baseball: A Tampa Bay Rays Dynasty (MLB09: The Show)

[JetsIn06]

Inspired by DeToxRox and his San Diego Dynasty.

This will be a nice change of pace from my United Baseball Association saga. It will be fairly quick and dirty. Not too much exposition, just a log of what goes on through the seasons.

The way I'm going to do this is play opening day, then sim ahead through the rest of my starters until my #2 pitcher is on his second start, then sim through until I get to my #3 pitcher again, then #4, then #5, etc. In the end, I believe I'll end up playing close to 30-ish games.

[JetsIn06]

TAMPA BAY RAYS 2009 OPENING DAY ROSTER

STARTING ROTATION:

1. James Shields
2. Scott Kazmir
3. Matt Garza
4. Andy Sonnanstine
5. Jeff Niemann

STARTING LINEUP:

1. CF B.J. Upton
2. LF Carl Crawford
3. 3B Evan Longoria
4. 1B Carlos Pena
5. DH Pat Burrell
6. C Dioner Navarro
7. RF Ben Zobrist
8. SS Jason Bartlett
9. 2B Akinori Iwamura

BENCH:

RF Gabe Gross
RF Gabe Kapler
C Shawn Riggans
3B/1B Willy Aybar

BULLPEN:

RHP Lance Cormier (Long Reliever)
LHP Brian Shouse (Left Handed Specialist)
LHP J.P. Howell (Middle Reliever)
RHP Grant Balfour (Middle Reliever)
RHP Joe Nelson (Middle Reliever)
RHP Dan Wheeler (Set-Up Man)
RHP Troy Percival (Closer)

[JetsIn06]

April 6: Tampa Bay @ Boston

Shields (0-0) vs. Beckett (0-0)

Pat Burrell hit our first home run of the year in the 2nd to put us up 1-0, and we put up 3 in the next inning on a Crawford homer down the right field line.

In the 5th, Burrell hit another homer to put us up 6-1, forcing the Sox to take Beckett out.

On the first pitch of the bottom of the the 5th, Youklis hit a 444 ft. bomb over the monster to cut the lead to 4. 17 MPH winds are really helping fly balls get over the wall tonight, but that one was an absolute bomb.

After an error and two more hits, the Sox score again and it's 6-3. Pedroia follows up with a little blooper, bringing in another run and now it's a 2-run game. But then with men on first and third, Shields gets Bay to swing at a high pitch and struck him out to end the inning with the lead intact.

In the top of the 6th, Iwamura beat out an infield hit, stole 2nd, and then Crawford ripped a single up the middle driving in the run. 7-4 now.

In the top of the 7th, Pena leads off with a monster shot, but the ball heads right to the Fenway triangle for a loud out. With two outs, Gabe Gross, who already had a double, hit one off the center field wall and after Ellsbury fell down, went in for a stand up triple. We coudln't bring him home though.

Going into bottom 7, we have Shouse and Cormier warmed up and they will come in if Shields gives up a walk or hit. But, he gets through the inning 1-2-3. This will be his last.

In the top of the 8th, Navarro led off with a ground rule double over the right-center wall. I try to sacrafice him over, but it was a weird bunt that went too far. It held him at 2nd, but I was safe at first with Iwamura, so then I attempted another with Upton. It was a close play at 1st, but he was out. So Crawford came up, already with 4 RBIs so they walked him to bring up Longoria with the bases loaded (not a good idea, Boston).

He was 0-4 at this point, so he was due for a hit. Full count. And he struck out. :mad: Pena came up who can also due some damage. Full count again. A groundball found its way under the second basemans glove and two runs came in. Burrel came up again, already with two home runs, and hit ANOTHER home run, bringing in three more runs to make it 12-4.

At this point I just simmed to the end. What a day for Burrell.

Final:

Rays: 13 - 18 - 1
Sox: 5 - 9 -1

POTG: Pat Burrell (4-6, 3 R, 7 RBI, 3 HR)

[JetsIn06]

April 13: NYY (4-2) @ TB (4-2)

Burnett (1-0) vs. Kazmir (0-1)

Kazmir made it through 1 2/3 innings and gave up 5 runs in that time. Just a dreadful performance.

Burrell and Gross did well again, but it wasn't enough to get over the awful beginning.

Burnett went 6 and gave up 7 runs.

Final:

Yanks: 7 - 13 - 1
Rays: 4 - 9 - 0

POTG: Jorge Posada (2-4, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR)

[JetsIn06]

April 19: CWS (4-8) @ TB (8-4)

Floyd (0-1) vs. Garza (2-0)

After giving up a two-run home run in the first, Matt Garza looked like he was going to have a bad day. But then he retired fourteen straight while the offense put seven runs on the board.

He got into another jam in the 6th after two doubles and a walk loaded the bases. A strikeout, a sac fly, and then another strikeout got him out of it with just one run given up.

We scored three more in the 7th with a Pena home run and ended up winning 10-3.

Upton, Longoria, Pena, and Gross hit home runs.

Final:

White Sox: 3 - 4 - 0
Rays: 10 - 15 - 0

POTG: B.J. Upton (4-5, 3 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR)

[JetsIn06]

April 26: TB (12-6) @ OAK (11-7)

Sonnanstine (2-1) vs. Braden (2-1)

Shouse got hurt a few days ago, so we've brought up veteran Isringhausen to take his place for now.

This was a great game. We got out to an early lead with a 1st inning homer over the center field wall from Longoria, but in the 4th Sonnanstine got in a jam and let three runs come in.

In the top of the 6th, Crawford hit a 2 run double off the top of the wall to tie it up.

But in the bottom of the 7th, Balfour came in and missed on a pitch allowing a home run. Then Howell came in and hung a slider, and that one went out of the park as well. We got a few key hits but couldn't drive in any more runs and lose 5-3.

Final:

Rays: 3-7-1
A's: 5-10-1

POTG: Orland Cabrera (2-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR)

[DeToxRox]

The team is lookin' good early.

Are you using a roster set?

[JetsIn06]

The team is lookin' good early.

Are you using a roster set?

Yep, same one as you. I like Knight's, but feel like he edited a bit too much to get lineups as close to real life order as possible. Ridin did that as well but to a lesser extent and I think it plays better for franchise.

[DeToxRox]

Yep, same one as you. I like Knight's, but feel like he edited a bit too much to get lineups as close to real life order as possible. Ridin did that as well but to a lesser extent and I think it plays better for franchise.

Yep. I felt the same way. It's amazing how many people over there are so unhappy with rosters too when they don't have accurate faces and socks and shit. So insane.

[JetsIn06]

May 2: BOS (14-9) @ TB (14-10)

Penny (0-1) vs. Niemann (2-2)

This was a long, back and forth, twelve inning matchup that we came out short on.

We were down 5-4, and in the bottom of the 8th Carl Crawford hit his 2nd homer of the day, but this one was a bit different. A lazy flayball to center landed in front of Ellsbury after he attempted a dive, and by the time he got to pick up the ball at the wall, Crawford was halfway to third. He made it home standing up with an easy inside the park homerun.

In the 11th, Pedroia hit a go-ahead home run, but we tied it up on a Carlos Pena double. But in the 12th, Pedroia struck again with a bases loaded double that scored all three runs. They scored another, making it 9-5, and they put us down 1-2-3 for the loss.

Final:

Sox: 9-17-0
Rays: 5-8-1

POTG: Pedroia (2-7, 1 R, 4 RBI, 1 HR)

[JetsIn06]

May 6: TB (17-11) @ NY (13-15)

Sonnanstine (2-1) vs. Pettitte (1-3)

A close game until the end, we beat our division rivals 5-2. Sonnanstine pitched a great game, and Pena hit two home runs for us and drove in all five runs.

Final:

Rays: 5-8-1
Yanks: 2-9-0

POTG: Carlos Pena (3-4, 2 R, 5 RBI, 2 HR)

[JetsIn06]

May 8: TB (19-11) @ BOS (16-13)

Shields (4-1) vs. Wakefield (2-1)

Ack. An epic 13 inning game that we lose 7-6. We jumped out to a 4-run lead in the first inning, but let them come back in the 7th. It stayed tied until the 13th after a few extremely nerve-wracking jams. We scored 1 in the 13th after singles by Iwamura, Longoria, and then Pena. But with 2-outs and a man on third, Pedroia fucked us once again and tied the game. After another single and then an IBB, Lowell bombed one off the monster to drive in the winning run.

Final:

Rays: 6-15-1
Sox: 7-17-2

POTG: Mike Lowell (4-7, 0 R, 3 RBI, 0 HR)

[JetsIn06]

May 15: CLE (20-16) @ TB (19-17)

Carmona (3-4) vs. Kazmir (3-3)

We're on a five game losing streak after being swept by the Red Sox and we dropped to second place. We need a win here.

We jumped out to a 2-0 lead, and Kazmir was rolling. But an error and then a missed pitch tied up the game when the Indians hit a 2-run homer to tie it up.

A bad next inning put three more runs on the board for them and we lost out 6th straight.

Final:

Indians: 5-7-1
Rays: 2-10-2

POTG: Mark Derosa (2-4, 1 R, 4 RBI, 1 HR)

[JetsIn06]

May 21: OAK (29-11) @ TB (22-20)

Eveland (6-0) vs. Garza (5-0)

Just a terrible game from our starter Garza, who only lasted four innings. The bullpen wasn't great either. We ended up with 10 hits but just 3 runs.

Final:

A's: 10-10-0
Rays: 3-10-1

POTG: Orlando Cabrera (3-5, 3 R, 2 RBI, 0 HR)

[JetsIn06]

May 27: TB (25-23) @ CLE (27-20)

Sonnanstine (4-2) vs. Reyes (5-1)

Very strange game. We got out to a 3-0 lead after 3 errors in the first inning. Sonnanstine pitched very well, and they ended up loading the bases in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs, down 3, but Percival got out of the jam.

Final:

Rays: 5-10-0
Indians: 2-11-4

POTG: Carlos Pena (1-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR)

[JetsIn06]

ROSTER MOVE

It's time to unleash our weapon.

David Price has gone 5-2 with a 1.07 ERA in AAA, and it's time for him to come up to the big leagues.

With that, we have an extra pitcher. Sonnanstine and Niemann are two guys we're willing to move. Sonny is 5-2 with a 3.71 ERA, and Niemann is 3-4 with a 6.15 ERA.

I'm going to see what we can get for Niemann.

We found a partner in the Nationals who are desperate for pitching. We send Niemann to the Nats and in return we get 21-year-old righty Colton Willems.

[JetsIn06]

June 3: KC (21-30) @ TB (29-25)

Meche (1-4) vs. Price (0-0)

In Price's first start of the year, he did pretty good. He gave up a few too many hits, but went 7 1/3, struck out 6, and gave up just 2 runs.

Longoria hit a 3-run homer in the first to give us an early lead, and then added another homer in the 3rd.

Final:

Royals: 2-11-0
Rays: 4-6-0

POTG: Longoria (2-3, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR)

[JetsIn06]

2009 Amateur Draft

C Marlin Melhuse RHB 18 yo
LF Gilberto Villacis LHB 22 yo
1B Tracy Tidwell LHB 18 yo
SS Clemente Cardenas RHB 20 yo

[JetsIn06]

June 9: LAA (26-31) @ TB (33-27)

Loux (6-2) vs. Shields (5-3)

We almost lose this one in the 8th after the Angels tied it up with a four run 8th, but Ben Zobrist came through and put us back in the lead with a big home run.

Final:

Angels: 5-10-1
Rays: 7-13-3

POTG: Pena (2-3, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR)

[JetsIn06]

June 16: TB (37-29) @ COL (31-32)

Kazmir (3-6) vs. De La Rosa (4-5)

Kaz pitched well, but our bullpen couldn't hang on in this one and we lose 4-3 in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Final:

Rays: 3-8-1
Rockies: 4-13-0

POTG: Atkins (2-5, 0 R, 2 RBI, 0 HR)

[JetsIn06]

June 23: PHI (33-36) @ TB (40-32)

Blanton (3-2) vs. Garza (7-2)

Gave up way too many hits and gave up too many big innings. Garza only lasted 5 innings and have up 11 hits and 5 runs. B.J. Upton did have three stolen bases, and Pena had two home runs.

Final:

Phillies: 9-19-1
Rays: 7-6-1

POTG: Jimmy Rollins (3-5, 3 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR)

[JetsIn06]

June 29: TB (44-34) @ TOR (31-47)

Sonnanstine (6-3) vs. Janssen (4-6)

Another shitty game from our starter. Sonnanstine gave up 5 runs in the first inning. We ended up tying it up, but Wheeler gave up a two run home run in the 10th inning to Vernon Wells and we lose.

Final:

Rays: 5-12-1
Blue Jays: 7-11-0

POTG: Vernon Wells (2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR)

[JetsIn06]

<!-- message --> July 7: TOR (33-52) @ TB (49-35)

Price (3-1) vs. Halladay (7-4)

Price had a 1-hitter going through five, but hit a rough patch in the 6th and let in four runs. In the 9th, our bullpen gave up a home run that tied the game and the go ahead run as well. But we came back to tie it up again, but in the 12th Toronto brought in three more and won. Our bullpen needs help and we'll be looking to make a trade soon.

Final:

Blue Jays: 9-10-0
Rays: 7-11-2

POTG: Scott Rolen (2-5, 1 R, 2 RBI, 0 HR)

[JetsIn06]

2009 All-Star Game

Two Rays were voted into the All-Star Game. First, Evan Longoria was named the starting third baseman. He's hitting .291 with 25 HR and 70 RBI.

Also, Carl Crawford made the team, but isn't starting. He's hitting .298 with 14 HR, 64 RBI, and 20 SB.

The NL won the game 7-5 and will have home field advantage in the World Series.

[JetsIn06]

ROSTER MOVE

Today we sent RP Jason Isringhausen, minor league LF Ray Sadler, and RP Lance Cormier to the Mets for closer Billy Wagner.

Wagner hasn't gotten many appearances since the Mets have K-Rod, and the team desperately needs bullpen help, but Wagner was only interested in being a closer. This gives us the closer we've been needing and will allow us to move Percival for minor league depth.

So with that move done, Percival is ready to be shipped out. However, finding a team to take this old man is tough. No one needs a closer. So, for now, he'll just have to be unhappy and pitch in the 7th or 8th inning and maybe an injury will allow him to be moved.

[JetsIn06]

<!-- message --> July 17: TB (33-52) @ KC (49-35)

Shields (7-3) vs. Hochevar (3-2)

A very good offensive showing and pitching that was good enough to keep them at bay. That's what we've been looking for.

We jumped out to an early 3-1 lead, but a big 5 run inning in the 5th put us way on top. They scored two in the 8th, but we closed them out and won 8-3.

Pena, Burrell, and Navarro hit home runs for us.

Final:

Rays: 8-8-0
Royals: 3-11-2

POTG: Pat Burrell (2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR)

[JetsIn06]

ROSTER MOVE

While we originally were only interested in sending Percival to an NL team, we're running out of time to make a move.

So, we will attempt to trade him to an AL team that isn't much competition to us. And that team would be the Oakland A's who have a 20-game lead in the West. While we could possibly play them in the playoffs, we were mostly worried about sending him to a wildcard team that could potentially finish with a better record than us.

We come to terms with the A's and send closer Troy Percival and minor league 2B Adam Kennedy and get minor leaguers SS Adrian Cardenas and LF Sean Doolittle in return.

[JetsIn06]

July 23: TB (58-38) @ CWS (50-46)

Kazmir (4-8) vs. Danks (6-8)

I love the way we have our lineup set. We always seem to be able to get out to an early lead with Upton, Crawford, Longoria, and then Pena starting off the game.

Today's game was no different. We went up 4-0 to kick off the matchup, and padded our lead with a couple more runs in the late innings. Kazmir went 7.1, gave up 7 hits, 2 runs, and struck out 8.

Final:

Rays: 6-14-0
White Sox: 2-7-0

POTG: Scott Kazmir (7.1 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K)

[JetsIn06]

ROSTER MOVE

In our final trade before the July 31st deadline, we made a move to pick up a more reliable backup catcher. We have a few younger guys we like, but they need more time to develop.

So we struck a deal with the Detroit Tigers, sending them our current backup Shawn Riggans and minor league RF Jon Weber for catcher Dusty Ryan who's currently stuck in AAA. We believe he's an upgrade over Riggans and are very happy to have him. We also received 1B Jeff Larsh.

[JetsIn06]

July 29: NYY (47-55) @ TB (63-39)

Garza (11-3) vs. Pettitte (6-9)

The Yankees had the lead through 5 1/2 innings, but we put up 5 in the bottom of the 6th. NY came back by scoring 2 in the 8th, but we responded by scoring 3 more and get the 9-5 win.

Crawford and Burrell went deep for us, and Garza pitched 6 innings, giving up 8 hits and 3 runs.

Final:

Yankees: 5-12-1
Rays: 9-13-0

POTG: Carl Crawford (3-5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR)

[JetsIn06]

August 5: BOS (60-45) @ TB (67-41)

Beckett (9-7, 3.92 ERA) vs. Sonnanstine (8-3, 4.30 ERA)

We have a 5.5 game lead over the Sox for the AL East lead, and a win here would be great.

We put our bats to good use and absolutely crush the Red Sox, 15-4. Pena, Burrell, and Zobrist hit home runs.

Sonnanstine went 6 innings, gave up 8 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, and struck out 2.

Final:

Red Sox: 4-11-1
Rays: 15-18-1

POTG: Carlos Pena (3-4, 2 R, 5 RBI, 1 HR)

[JetsIn06]

August 12: TB (70-44) @ LAA (56-57)

Price (4-3, 4.86) vs. Walden (4-8, 7.12)

After our whooping of Boston, we won 2 of 3 against Seattle but then lost the first two games of a 3 game series against the Angels. This is the third game, and with Boston now just 3 games behind us, we need a win here to keep a good lead over them.

We pulled off the win despite pitching problems. Price pitched brilliantly for a while, going 6.1 innings and giving up just 2 hits. But in the 7th, price walked two straight batters so we had to pull him. It took five more pitchers to get the job done. The Angels scored one in the 8th, and then three in the 9th to make it a 5-4 game. We brought in Joe Nelson and he got the last out to seal the win.

Final:

Rays: 5-11-1
Angels: 4-7-0

POTG: David Price (6.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 5 K)

[JetsIn06]

August 20: BAL (53-67) @ TB (74-46)

Shields (11-4, 2.96) vs. Guthrie (9-11, 4.53)

Baltimore won the first two games of this series, but we answered back with a 9-1 win in this game against our division mates.

Crawford and Pena went deep, but Longoria had a great game going 2-4 with 3 RBIs.

But Crawford stole the show. He had two doubles, a home run, 3 RBI, and a sac fly.

Shields went 8 innings, giving up 5 hits and 1 run. He struck out 5.

Final:

Orioles: 1-5-2
Rays: 9-12-2

POTG: Carl Crawford (3-4, 3 R, 3 RBI, 1 HR)

[JetsIn06]

August 26: TB (77-49) @ TOR (51-74)

Kazmir (6-10, 3.65) vs. Halladay (11-5, 4.15)

Crap. We were able to come back in the 8th and 9th innings, scoring a run in each to tie it up at 6-6. But in the bottom of the 9th, the Jays scored the winning run off of Balfour. Kazmir pitched terribly once again, lasting just four innings. He gave up five hits, five earned runs, and four walks. Thankfully, the rest of the rotation has done well, but he's just been flat out bad.

The big inning came when Scutaro hit a grand slam in the 4th.

Final:

Rays: 6-8-1
Blue Jays: 7-7-1

POTG: Marco Scutaro (1-5, 1 R, 4 RBI, 1 HR)

[JetsIn06]

September 2: BOS (78-53) @ TB (79-53)

Garza (15-5, 3.70) vs. Lester (12-9, 4.02)

A fantastic game for baseball fans. We jumped to a quick 5-2 lead by the end of the 4th inning. In the 6th, the Sox scored 3 to tie it up, but we scored 1 in the bottom half of the inning.

Then, in the bottom of the 7th, B.J. Upton stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. On a low fastball, he put the ball over the left field wall for a grand slam, making it 10-5. It would stay that way.

Final:

Red Sox: 5-11-1
Rays: 10-15-0


POTG: B.J. Upton (3-5, 2 R, 4 RBI, 1 HR)

[JetsIn06]

September 8: TB (83-55) @ NYY (67-73)

Sonnanstine (10-7, 5.10) vs. Sabathia (9-3, 2.90)

With a playoff spot pretty much locked up, and the rosters expanded to 40, we sat a few of our key players. Tim Beckham, the first overall pick of last years draft, made his major league debut and it was fantastic.

Beckham went 2-5 with 2 RBI and a home run. Sonny was brilliant, going 8.2 innings and giving up just one run.

Final:

Rays: 7-15-0
Yankees: 1-7-0

POTG: Tim Beckham (2-5, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR)

[JetsIn06]

September 15: TB (87-57) @ BAL (63-80)

Price (6-4, 4.90) vs. Waters (0-0, 0.00)

It was tied at four in the 5th inning, but we put up eight runs in the top of the 6th, and finished the game up 13-5.

Price lasted five innings, gave up 5 hits and 4 earned runs, but struck out 7. We didn't put any over the fence, but we had 16 hits and Evan Longoria had 4 RBIs.

Final:

Rays: 13-16-0
Orioles: 5-11-3

POTG: Dusty Ryan (2-3, 3 R, 2 RBI, 0 HR)

[JetsIn06]

September 22: SEA (59-91) @ TB (92-58)

Davis (0-0, 0.00) vs. Hernandez (12-10, 4.22)

We're giving Wade Davis, a very promising prospect, the start tonight. We'll have a bunch of scrubs playing the field as well.

An excellent game from our squad. Wade Davis pitched just three innings, but only gave up two hits.

Final:

Mariners: 1-6-1
Rays: 4-10-0

POTG: Fernando Perez (3-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 0 HR)

[JetsIn06]

PLAYOFFS

We've clinched the division! With just a week left, I'm going to sim out the rest of the games and get to the playoffs.

We finished the season with a 102-60 record.

Here's some of the stats from our starters.

C Navarro: .263 / 6 HR / 44 RBI
1B Pena: .312 / 37 HR / 115 RBI
2B Iwamura: .259 / 4 HR / 38 RBI
3B Longoria: .299 / 38 HR / 135 RBI
SS Bartlett: .250 / 4 HR / 52 RBI
LF Crawford: .293 / 26 HR / 103 RBI
CF Upton: .288 / 13 HR / 79 RBI
RF Gross: .275 / 19 HR / 62 RBI
RF Zobrist: .286 / 5 HR / 24 RBI
DH Burrell: .298 / 37 HR / 120 RBI

SP Shields: 14-7 / 3.48 / 156 K
SP Kazmir: 7-13 / 3.83 / 197 K
SP Garza: 19-5 / 3.65 / 162 K
SP Sonnanstine: 14-7 / 4.89 / 111 K
SP Price: 8-4 / 5.02 / 107 K

RP Shouse: 10-3 / 1.41
RP Wheeler: 2-6 / 1.85
RP Nelson: 6-1 / 2.73

CP Wagner: 0-0 / 2.75 / 19 SV

MATCHUPS

Here are the playoff matchups:

OAK vs. BOS
TB vs. DET

NYM vs. CIN
ARZ vs. ATL

[JetsIn06]

ALDS Game 1: DET @ TB

Shields vs. Verlander

Upton led off our offensive attack with a home run in the our first at-bat of the game. After a Crawford walk, Longoria hit the first of two home runs to make it a 3-0 game.

All of the scoring was done in the first three innings. Shields pitched excellently, and we're up 1-0.

Final:

Tigers: 1-6-0
Rays: 4-9-0

POTG: Evan Longoria(2-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 HR)

[DeToxRox]

I respectfully demand you lose this series.

[JetsIn06]

I respectfully demand you lose this series.

:D

[JetsIn06]

ALDS Game 2: DET @ TB

Kazmir vs. Galarraga

A very disappointing loss as the Tigers tie up the series 1-1. They got out to a 3-0 lead, and after back to back home runs from Carlos Pena and Willy Aybar we tied it up in the 6th. It remained 3-3 until the 10th, when Marcus Thames hit a go ahead home run to right field off Balfour.

Final:

Tigers: 4-10-1
Rays: 3-7-0

POTG: Miguel Cabrera (2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR)

[DeToxRox]

Attaboy big Marcus!

[JetsIn06]

ALDS Game 3: TB @ DET

Garza vs. Bonderman

This was a very wacky game. Both offensives just exploded, partly due to the 20 MPH wind blowing out to left.

Six home runs were hit, five from us. There were 34 total hits in the game.

After two innings, it was 6-4 Detroit, and then both teams were held scoreless until the 7th.

Final:

Rays: 13-18-0
Tigers: 9-16-0

POTG: Carlos Pena (3-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 HR)

[JetsIn06]

ALDS Game 4: TB @ DET

Price vs. Miner

We win and move on to the ALCS! It was another huge offensive game for both teams with seven home runs being hit.

Price only lasted into the fourth, giving up 6 runs on 8 hits. Luckily, we had a 4-run first inning so we had some room for error.

The game went into extras, tied at 7-7 until we scored 3 in the 12th and then Sonnanstine came in to save the game with the majority of our bullpen used or exausted.

Final:

Rays: 10-11-0
Tigers: 8-13-0

POTG: Carlos Pena (2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR)

[JetsIn06]

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

BOSTON vs. TAMPA BAY

NEW YORK vs. ATLANTA

[JetsIn06]

ALCS Game 1: BOS @ TB

Garza vs. Lester

It's a rematch of last year's ALCS and we're looking to do the same thing we did then.

We get close, but we lose 3-2. Dioner Navarro hit two solo home runs, but other than that we just couldn't get anything going on offense.

Final:

Red Sox: 3-9-1
Rays: 2-6-2

POTG: John Lester (8 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K)

[JetsIn06]

ALCS Game 2: BOS @ TB

Shields vs. Matsuzaka

Not good. Not good at all.

We get creamed 18-6. Enough said.

Final:

Red Sox:
Rays:

POTG: David Ortiz (3-6, 2 R, 6 RBI, 2 HR)

[JetsIn06]

ALCS Game 3: TB @ BOS

Kazmir vs. Penny

Kazmir pitched a gem, going 6 innings and giving up just 4 hits and 1 run.

Longoria was our man on offense, going 3 for 5 with a double.

Final:

Rays: 4-11-0
Red Sox: 2-10-2

POTG: Evan Longora (3-5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 0 HR)

[JetsIn06]

ALCS Game 4: TB @ BOS

Garza vs. Beckett

We had this one. We were up 2-1, and brought in Balfour in the 8th. However, Youklis hit a bomb over the green monster to go ahead 3-2 and then Papelpon kicked our ass in the 9th.

Final:

Rays: 2-7-1
Red Sox: 4-8-0

POTG: Jonathan Papelbon (1 IP, 1 H, 1K)

[JetsIn06]

ALCS Game 5: TB @ BOS

Shields vs. Smoltz

We stay alive and win game 5. It's now 3-2, Boston and we head to TB.

Our four home runs, two from Upton, put us on top in this one.

Final:

Rays: 8-15-2
Red Sox: 4-4-1

POTG: B.J. Upton (4-6, 3 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR)

[JetsIn06]

ALCS Game 6: BOS @ TB

Price vs. Lester

Our season is over. Price let in 4 to start the game, and then Balfour once again fucked us by letting in 4, putting the game out of reach.

Time to look toward the off-season.

Final:

Red Sox: 9-18-0
Rays: 1-7-0

POTG: David Ortiz (3-5, 3 R, 4 RBI, 1 HR)

[JetsIn06]

WORLD SERIES

Red Sox defeat Braves 4-2

[JetsIn06]

Retirements

We lose RP Brian Shouse, our lefty specialist. Here are some other big ones from around the league:

BOS Smoltz
BOS Wakefield
BAL Zaun
NYY Posada
NYY Rivera
OAK Giambi
OAK Percival
SEA Griffey
ATL Glavine
FLA Gordon
NYM Delgado
NYM Isringhausen
NYM Sheffield
PHI Moyer
HOU Hampton
MIL Counsell
MIL Hoffman
MIL Looper
LAD Milton
LAD Ramirez
SF Aurilia
SF Johnson

[JetsIn06]

Free Agency

We have two free agents. Carl Crawford and Billy Wagner. Both are Type A players.

Our ARB guys are:

SS Bartlett
RP Balfour
2B Iwamura
C Navarro
SS Zobrist
RF Gross
3B Aybar
RP Howell

[JetsIn06]

Okay, so this is what we're looking at. I have 9 players under contract right now which seems nuts but I have a few guys who I can renew with no problem.

This game is stupid and gives me a 120,000,000 budget, which is twice the amount the Rays really have. So I limit myself to 60 mil, approximately what their budget is in real life.

Okay, so with that 60 mil budget in place, I've added up all of our current contracts, and that comes to just over $25m. I have $35m to work with, so let's see what I can do.

[JetsIn06]

So I definitely want to keep Crawford. That is a definite. Also, RF Kapler and RP Bradford are also free agents. I forgot to mention them last time.

Here we go.

Crawford, 28, is looking for 8.8m/yr for 4-6 years.
Wagner, 38, is looking for 6.5m/yr over 3-5 years. He's getting up there in age though.

Right now, I'm just going to sign Crawford. He is such a key piece of our team that I'll be fine filling the rest of the team with just 25m. I offer him a 5-year deal with a team option for a 6th, totalling 53m.

Wagner, on the other hand, I'm going to wait on. I'm probably going to offer him arbitration. That way, if he does take it, it will be a one-year deal and he'll be tradable. If not, I get a comp pick.

[JetsIn06]

So now I'm going to deal with my arbitration guys.

Bartlett is one guy I'd love to keep, but he's asking for a hell of a lot. 9.4m/yr for 4-6 years. No way I'm doing that. I'm gonna wait this one out until I have some more guys signed. I like Zobrist a lot, and he could play SS. I also have a prospect, Reid Brignac, and have a very young guy, former #1 pick Tim Beckham developing. So, I'm not desperate enough to pay Bartlett that much.

Next up are a few bullpen guys. Nelson, Balfour, and Howell. I like Nelson a lot, but he's asking for 2.2/yr for 3 years. I'd give it to him, but want to wait a bit.

Balfour I like, but he's just been terrible for us in big spots. I'll let him walk.

Howell is a great guy for us, and wants just 1.8m a year. I offer him a 3-year deal with a club option on the 3rd.

2B Iwamura. I'd like to keep him. Coming in, I wanted to keep either him or Bartlett. Iwamura's just asking for about 1.7m/yr over 3 years. I'll offer him that, with a club option on the 4th.

C Navarro is our starting catcher and we don't really have another option here. I offer him a 1-year deal worth 1.1m and have a club option on the 2nd year.

Ben Zobrist wants about 500K per year, and we'll definitely offer that to a guy who can play about every position on the field other than catcher and could be our starting SS. We give him a 2-year offer.

Gabe Gross is a guy that I like, but Matt Joyce will be on the big league squad this year. I'm going to offer him a cheap deal. He could provide good depth in the minors or I can trade him.

To end the day, I did offer Barlett a deal, but for just 5m/yr. I don't think he'll consider it.

[JetsIn06]

Howell signs for 1.8m/yr for 2 years +1 team

Zobrist signs for 500k/yr for 2 years

Crawford signs for 9m/yr for 5 years +1 team

Iwamura signs for 1.6m/yr for 3 years +1 team

With one day left until free agency, we still have $23m left, but I'm not in a rush. I'll let the rest of my guys hit the open market and see what's out there.

[JetsIn06]

TOP FA's

RF Jason Bay
3B Chipper Jones
RF Jermaine Dye
RP J.J. Putz
CP Jose Valverde - NYY
SP Rich Harden -CWS
SP Tim Hudson - CLE
2B Placido Polanco
SS Miguel Tejada
SP John Lackey
RF Bobby Abreu
SP Brett Myers
SP Kelvim Escobar - ATL
2B Orlando Hudson
SP Erik Bedard
SP Cliff Lee
1B Jim Thome - NYM
C Bengie Molina - ATL

[JetsIn06]

Free Agency

We're looking for a right handed hitter to play RF, a starting SS, a few relief pitchers, and a closer.

First guy that we see is RF Austin Kearns. He wants 1.8m/yr and is just 29. We offer him a 3-year deal.

There aren't many shortstops available that we can afford. One guy is Jack Wilson. I like him, but he's not the best fielder. I'd like to see Bartlett lower is asking price. Honestly, I'd like to wait to see what happens with Bartlett and will make a trade if I need to.

I went ahead a few days and no one's made a decision yet.

We made an offer to Joe Nelson, Grant Balfour, and Scott Schoeneweis, but all were fairly low and we'll easily be outbid if other teams want them.

We also made an offer to Derrick Turnbow to be our closer.

Aybar accepts our offer of the minimum salary.

Navarro accepts our 2.2m over 2 offer.

Ahh...Turnbrow heads to the Yankees. Shit.

Schoeneweis heads back to Arizona and turns us down.

Balfour comes back to TB, accepting 3m over 2 years.

Austin Kearns also joins us, getting 5.4m over 3 years.

Victor Martinez is out on the market, and we make him an offer to be our catcher.

Great, The Red Sox sign Jason Bartlett. We make an offer to Jed Lowrie to play SS.

Shit. Martinez ends up going to the Angels. Joe Nelson heads to the Mets.

We make an offer to LHP John Grabow and RHP Jesus Colome. Colome signs, and then Grabow does.

Then, Jed Lowrie signs. We have our starting SS!

[JetsIn06]

TRADE

We make a deal with the Chicago Cubs, who have some excess bullpen talent. They send us Carlos Marmol, and we send them SS prospect Reid Brignac as well as pitching prospect Eduardo Morlan. Marmol will be our closer.

Then, we send pitcher Aneury Rodriguez and 1B Ryne Hughes to St. Louis for reliever Chris Perez.

[JetsIn06]

TAMPA BAY RAYS 2010 OPENING DAY ROSTER

STARTING ROTATION:

1. Matt Garza
2. Scott Kazmir
3. James Shields
4. David Price
5. Andy Sonnanstine

STARTING LINEUP:

1. CF B.J. Upton
2. LF Carl Crawford
3. 3B Evan Longoria
4. 1B Carlos Pena
5. DH Pat Burrell
6. RF Matt Joyce/RF Austin Kearns
7. C Dioner Navarro
8. SS Jed Lowrie
9. 2B Akinori Iwamura

BENCH:

OF Joyce/Kearns
C Dusty Ryan
3B Willy Aybar
UTIL Ben Zobrist

BULLPEN:

LHP J.P. Howell (LR)
RHP Grant Balfour (MR)
RHP Jese Colome (MR)
LHP John Grabow (MR
RHP Chris Perez (MR)
RHP Dan Wheeler (SU)
RHP Carlos Marmol (CL)