July thread.

[craig01]

Looks like Longoria won't be back before August.

UGH.

[The Real Dalic]

We could lose a playoff spot if we don't get healthy soon. . .

[craig01]

We could lose a playoff spot if we don't get healthy soon. . .

Health AND hitting.

[craig01]

BTW- Rays team batting average is down to .232.......pathetic

[Optimus_Steel]

Wheels seem to be falling off.

The Rays offense has been bad at best the past few years but this year has been absurd and abysmal. I know Longo and Joyce and Scott and Jennings have all missed time with injury but this offense has become humilatingly awful. How can a team hit below .235???????????????

[craig01]

Amazingly, but despite the .232 average, despite the injuries, despite the inconsistent rotation, and despite the error prone defense.....this team is in the thick of the wild card race.

One good week and this team will be on the heels of the Angels....

Yes, my glass stays half-full.

[craig01]

Rays go down 2-1 last night.

Ugh, the hitting....or lack of

Watching many current players attempt to pull pitches that are breaking away from them is infuriating.

Bat meets ball.....is the starting point. Just too many K's these days.

[craig01]

Matsui fails to deliver once again.

It's probably time for Matsui to hit the waiver wire....I've seen enough

[craig01]

Matsui has been given the heave-ho.

Ryan Roberts acquired who in his first game has delivered more than Matsui for an entire month.

[Optimus_Steel]

Its kind of frustrating seeing teams like the Angels, Yankees, Tigers, Rangers have so much offense and still have the resources to make moves to make themselves better (Angels get Greinke, Yankees get Ichiro, Dodgers get Ramirez, Det gets Sanchez/Infante) yet the Rays are stuck trying to make minor moves (although decent moves) hoping something really breaks thru the anemic offense. The Rays margin of effor is tiny.

[craig01]

It's not kind of frustrating, it is frustrating.

Shields is very likely to go.....not because of his salary this year....and not because of his salary next year....but because of his $12 million owed for year 3. Rays won't take a chance on getting stuck with a large contract in case Shields either fizzles out or gets hurt.

Ryan Roberts was a nice add......but this team needs bats at almost every position

[craig01]

Shields still in TB, Hellickson pitched terrific today....Rays holding on to a 2-0 lead against the Angels in the 8th.

[craig01]

A loss in 15 innings.

8 hits....UGH

[MagicRays]

Trade Deadline passed. Not sure what the reasons were for keeping Shields and BJ. We still have holes that could have been patched if we had made a trade. Need to find answers for SS/1B/Catcher. Hopefully Longoria comes back hot. We're pot committed with Pena this year but I'd like to see someone else at 1B next season.

Kepp has 12 K's in 193 AB's, but only 21 RBI's. If only we had more baserunners in front of him. Fuld should be at the top of the lineup while he's hot.

1. Fuld LF
2. Kepp? DH
3. Long 3B
4. Joyce RF
5. Zobrist? 2B

could swap Kepp/Zob I suppose.

[craig01]

I don't think the Rays were able to find a suitable deal.

Plus, Shields contract after 2013 is when the money becomes a significant factor (by Rays standards)

Personally I am glad he's still here as I truly believe the Rays will make a run this year.

I totally agree with your future positional needs