RealGM

let me first start off by saying im a Redsox fan but i have always have liked and rooted for the Drays.. Before the start of every season there is that excitement that this is the year the Drays will finally join the AL East and put together a competive team, but every year by the all-star break they are out of it .. What this tells me is building from within isnt the way to go. they have a great foundation for the future but they have no one who know how to win on this team.. So if i were GM this is my plan to fix the Drays..first ill start with the Offense then later on today ill post my opinions on the Pitching staff ..

First ill start with they guys to keep and build around
B.j. Upton great young talent but is playing out of Position in CF he needs to be moved to 2nd.. he should also be used in the 2nd spot in the lineup ..

D Young this kid could be a perenial all-star in the Future

B Harrris SS doing well in his rookie season. he has earned the job

C Crawford LF finally turning it around and being the player he has been in the past.. should be this teams lead off hitter

Akinori Iwamura 3b 1st season in MLB hasnt been bad next season when is more comfortable he will be better.

for hitters thats about all you keep to build around ...thats leaves you 4 spots to fill on this team CF, DH , C and 1B

at 1b C Pena could be kept in the short term and i know he is having a great season but if you go by his history he is not very good he is a career .248 hitter. a couple of names that could help this team is C Kotchman or B Broussard

at C Riggins could be the answer in the future but not right now. so in my opinion this team has 2 options get a vetran cather to help there young pitching staff(posada?) or look for a young up and coming Catcher that is stuck behind a vet with little chance of playing .. on name comes to mind is R Doumit of pitt he is starting at RF for Pitt because he wont play ahead of R Paulino

DH a big bat is needed here someone that can protect D Young and Upton , someone who can put fear in the eyes of the other team.. J Gomez doesnt provide this..getting a vet even past his prime would be perfect here ..someone like F Thomas , M Piazza , C Delgado ect. it would cost money but getting a guy like this would realy help this team .. from a leadership stand point..

CF someone Like Coco Crisp would be perfect here he can hit at the top or bottem of the lineup he plays a gold Glove Defense


Lineup
1. C Crafford LF
2.BJ UPton 2b
3.Iwamura 3B
4. M Piazza DH
5. D Young RF
6. C Pena 1B
7. J Posada/R Doumit C
8. B Harris 3B
9 C Crisp cf

I disagree about Upton. He has a fantastic arm, and along with his speed and range could develop into an all star CF. Playing him at 2B doesn't utilize his physical assets IMO.

Pena has been a good producer this year, but I too am not sold on him long term.....history usually does prevail.

Riggans can't hit major league pitchers, he is young, but I don't know how long a team that wants to win can start minor league catchers.

Brendan Harris has marveled this year, but is still an unknown as far as future production.

You are spot on about getting a solid hitter in the middle of the lineup. Too many opportunities have been wasted this year because of no legitimate 3 or 4 hitters. I'll be patient there.

The biggest needs for the Rays are pitching, pitching, and more pitching.

The lineup as is has been sufficient in most cases this year.

The pitching staff however has been pathetic. There are only 4-5 major league pitchers on this staff.....the rest are scrubs.

If I'm GM, I'm gonna invest in some arms that are in the major leagues now. That's gonna cost the Rays $30-50 million more, and that's on the low side.

And that ain't happening anytime soon.