The Tampa Bay Fire Breathing Dragons started Season 8 off to a serious rough start with a 10+ game losing streak. However the team persevered and went back to basics. Tampa Bay then started winning and finished the season strong. Tampa Bay came in 3rd in the AL South with a record of 70-92, which was better than projected. Tampa Bay insists that had it not been for the slow start they could have been a .500 team. This was a young team that was developing talent last year. Tampa Bay is still developing their farm system as they see it as being weak in many areas. They tried to address this through international free agency and with an aggressive draft strategy. None of these really worked out as well as they hoped. The GM has mentioned that he will not be very active in the International market this year, if active at all. He is debating if they will go with an aggressive draft strategy or not again this year. He feels that the risk may be worth the reward, but also really wants to have an infusion of youth into the farm system. This season Tampa Bay has been active in acquiring talent that can carry them to a playoff berth, even with the Corn Dogs as a perennial fan favorite to win the AL South Division. While talking to the GM the Ismael Azocar trade was mentioned. The Tampa Bay GM strongly defends this trade and points to that Tampa Bay shored up 1B and CF. He did mention that Ismael’s mad key-tar skills will be missed in the clubhouse though.
Key Departures: 1B Phil Nakamura, P Wilfredo Cervantes, CF Willie Henriquez, P Travis Borkowski, and P Ismael Azocar.
Key Acquisitions: CF Francisco Leon , 1B Shane Canseco, P Howard Barkley, and P Ralph Erickson. The Tampa Bay starting line up projects to be as follows:
Catcher: Vicente Rojas -- Rojas has progressed very nicely through the minors, in his last full year at AAA he posted a .320 BA, .401 OBP, .717 SLG, and 1.118 OPS. Tampa Bay does expect him to drop off from those numbers with him in the majors full time. The GM did mentioned that he was very impressed by Vicente’s confidence saying Rojas made the comment “Catching is so easy a caveman can do it.” The Geico caveman could not be reached for comment at the time of this press release.
First Base: Shane Canseco -- Shane was acquired in a trade with Cincinnati. The TB GM is quite impressed with Shane’s skills as a hitter, as he has progressed through the minors at a good rate. Shane is making a position change from outfield to first base, but is learning fast. Shane is concerned that he is being rushed into a position, but is eager to contribute to winning in Tampa Bay.
Second Base: Kerry Thurman -- Kerry is a career .282 hitter with a .351 OBP and .519 SLG. Thurman’s numbers were down slightly last year, however it is the general feeling that this was only a hiccup and he will go back to being a solid hitter. Kerry has always had very solid fielding skills and that does not figure to change this year. If Thurman struggles Tampa Bay has Bosco Hutchinson as a backup plan
Third Base: Harold Traynor -- Traynor has had a few “down” years while transitioning from Pittsburgh to Milwaukee to Tampa Bay. It is the hope in Tampa Bay now that Traynor is in a stable position that he will return to his solid hitting form. Tampa Bay is relying heavily on Traynor as they are very weak at this position through out their system. If he continues to struggle it is thought that Tampa Bay may try to acquire a third baseman through trade.
Shortstop: Nigel Lennon -- Tampa Bay is very lucky in that it has the services of Nigel. Nigel is only 21 years old and shows the promise to be an all-star. In his brief call up time last year from AAA Nigel hit a solid .261 BA and .963 OPS. However this was only over 23 at bats. Tampa Bay is very excited about the promise that this young lad shows though and wants him to succeed at shortstop. Their coach has said that regardless if Nigel struggles early that they will stick with him and will not call up their other SS, Neil Lazzeri, from AAA. This reporter hopes that Nigel succeeds as he has had a rough life. At the early age of 4 his mother put him up for adoption and he spent the rest of his childhood bouncing from home to home with a heroin addiction. At 17 he cleaned himself up enough to put together a great season in high school and was drafted in the 1st round. This would be a great story for MLB if he was to have a breakout year.
Left Field: Clayton Bonham-- last year Clayton hit a very respectable .291 and figures to do the same this year. There are high expectations for Clayton as he is only 24 and improvement is expected over last year.
Center Field: Francisco Leon -- Leon was acquired through trade with Cincinnati. Tampa Bay is simply elated to get Leon. They feel he can be their center fielder for years to come. The GM could not say enough nice things about Leon. Now if Leon can stay away from those twinkies and doughnuts, this writer feels he could be a very solid acquisition for Tampa Bay.
Right Field: Clint Helms -- Clint Helms has a career BA of .291 and .363 OBP. Helms production figures to stay the same or increase only slightly. Clint is the third part to an exciting outfield in Tampa Bay. Word is the Tampa GM has said that his outfield could be one of the best in the majors. With some luck and improvement over last year, this writer agrees.
Designated Hitter: Harry Butler -- Butler had a respectable .273 BA and .338 OBP last year. It is the opinion in Tampa Bay that Butler can be a respectable DH given the right opportunities. Butler did not have any protection last year, and with the improved hitting this year hopefully that is something that is not a problem again. This is a make or break year for Butler, as TB may move in a different direction should he not produce as expected.
In speaking with the Tampa Bay GM, clearly they are most prideful and hopeful about their pitching staff. The GM could not stop gushing about their new acquisitions and additions. The GM claims that if his pitching staff holds up through the season that they could easily carry them to the playoffs, possibly through the wildcard. The fans certainly hope so as they are playoff starved in Tampa Bay. It is further mentioned that with this staff, if they do not make the playoffs that the Fire Breathing Dragons may seek a move to another city with a pitching friendly park. For the sake of the Tampa Bay fans, all 16 of them, lets hope this pitching staff delivers
Starting Pitcher (1): Howard Barkley -- In a bold free agent play, Tampa Bay brought in an aging pitcher. The GM does point out that he has great control and good splits. This reporter noted his average to above average ERA and him never having above 14 wins in the majors. Clearly this was a bold move that could back fire quickly for Tampa Bay and their fans. Barkley was unavailable for comment because he insisted on watching the "Raising the Bar" marathon on TNT instead of showing up for this interview. Here is hoping he "Raises the Bar" in Tampa Bay.
Starting Pitcher (2): Ralph Erickson -- In another free agent move, Tampa Bay brings in Erickson as their #2. This is a pitcher who comes from Houston; clearly this is an orphan in need of a good home. In an interview with Erickson he noted the harsh treatment that he received from the Houston GM, most notably his propensity to make fun of Erickson's Dysarthria. Specifically Erickson mentioned this man making fun of his drooling and poor saliva control, rapid speech with a "mumbling" quality, and slurred speech. Tampa Bay's GM says with this harsh treatment came a diminished capacity to perform. He believes with the right treatment and a GM that shows compassion that Erickson can not only overcome his disabilities but produce pitching seasons to rival the best. The TB GM says that the Houston GM should be ashamed of himself for making fun of a man with disabilities and points to such behavior as one of the reasons that he missed the playoffs.
Starting Pitcher (3): Ken Shumpert -- Ken Shumpert is a work in progress. The TB GM practically falls out of his chair when gushing about Shumpert’s abilities. Ken Shumpert has great splits and control, but it is noted that his stamina is a little below what is expected for a starter. Last year he posted a 12-12 record with a 3.95 ERA. However that was with a team that just could not produce the runs to support him. He is expected to post 20 win seasons with production on the offensive side of the ball.
Starting Pitcher (4): Danny Malone -- This is a pitcher that should easily be a number 3 pitcher but with the crowded pitching lineup he is their number 4. With the limited offensive production last year he managed to pitch a 13-10 record with a 5.59 ERA. The TB GM is insistent with the increased emphasis on the offensive side of the ball that his record will come in due time.
Starting Pitcher (5): Craig Doerr - This is a pitcher that the GM has long debated about. The GM has said that he wants to go with a 4-man rotation but isn’t sure that they can handle the increased load, so he is going with a 5-man rotation for now. In comes Craig Doerr and his 5.45 ERA with a .279 OAV. It is this reporter’s opinion that Doerr could be the cog that puts this whole starting rotation together. Craig Doerr is an excellent anchor to the other four. It should be said that Doerr does have below average stamina for a starting pitcher.
Long Relief A: Dave Sanford -- By having a crowded starting rotation Stanford was a casualty of this wealth of talent. He was pushed into the bullpen. Stanford has taken to this with enthusiasm as he has said he wants to bring Tampa Bay their first winning season ever, and if he has to do it in the pen then he is more than willing to showcase his talents there. In two seasons in the majors Stanford has an ERA of 6.15.
Long Relief B: Gregory Hamilton -- Another starting pitching casualty. Although in talking with the TB GM, he mention that Gregory Hamilton may be better off in the bullpen. He pointed to his sky high WHIP and ERA. It is the hope with less innings that this is fixed. Although the GM can not have much confidence in this as he is the #2 Long Relief.
Long Relief B: Anthony Riley -- Riley is has a fierce fireball with a mean slider. It is the TB belief that the change of scenery from starting to relieving that he will have better production. The TB GM also noted that Anthony Riley is not a “team player” and is perpetually obnoxious. Will his behavior worsen with a change to the bullpen or improve? This reporter is noticing a pattern of hoping for better production with a change from starting to the bullpen. Tampa Bay is relying heavily on pitching that is sketchy as starters and making them relievers. This is just another case of that happening.
Setup A: Julio Belliard -- This is a highly questionable move at best. Belliard has the stamina for a long relief or starting pitcher. Although he is making his major league debut this season. The TB GM has mentioned that if Julio Belliard performs well and above expectations that he could move into a bigger role down the road, but right now they want to limit the number of innings he pitches.
Setup B: Jimmie Blasco -- Jimmie brings a lot to the TB bullpen, again this is another pitcher that could be the back end to a rotation in other cities. Blasco’s ERA has been dropping steadily for the past four seasons in the major league and posted a .260 OAV last year. Blasco does make mention that he possibly should be the primary setup. Can Jimmie Blasco be happy with his role in the bullpen and thrive there or will he become discontent and become a distraction?
Closer A: Ralph Montgomery -- There was wild speculation that Ralph Montgomery would be moved in the off-season to improve a pitching staff in need of a overhaul. Luckily for Tampa Bay this was not needed. Ralph Montgomery has all the tools to be an all-star closer and, if given the opportunity, could lead the league in saves. The Tampa Bay GM points to his control and splits, along with his slider and curveball as examples of this. He also noted that Ralph Montgomery posted a 1.85 ERA, .194 OAV, .242 OBP, and 0.94 WHIP. This reported noticed that Ralph Montgomery did not blow a save in 28 opportunities last year. It is my opinion that the TB GM could be right with this kid, given the opportunities Montgomery could lead the league in saves if he can continue with the outstanding numbers he posted last year.
This Tampa Bay club should be much improved over last years .432 record. However, this club has a lot of "ifs." If this, if that. However, with some luck those ifs will happen. Even if only some of them do, it will be an improvement. Tampa Bay is headed in the right direction, and with some luck there will be printing of playoff tickets this year. If not this year, there is always next year. Tampa Bay is lucky to have a GM that wants to succeed and not settle for mediocrity as has been done in the past. Tampa also has the 10th pick in the draft this year along with a supplemental pick in the first round. With this they should be able to start to fill out their minor leagues. Hopefully the GM comes around and does not go for an all or nothing approach to the draft again this year. With a conservative approach over the next few years, Tampa Bay should have success over a long period of time. Now is not the time to gamble. But that is exactly what the Tampa Bay GM has done with a lot of these moves that he has made this off-season. Here is to hopes that they pay off in spades for them. Those 16 fans deserve to see a winner instead of a .432 record.
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