http://firebrandal.com/2009/04/02/know-thine-enemy-2009-tampa-bay-rays.html Analyzing the Boston Red Sox since 2003 Sat, 13 Mar 2010 06:22:06 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://firebrandal.com/2009/04/02/know-thine-enemy-2009-tampa-bay-rays.html/comment-page-1#comment-38469 Gerry Fri, 03 Apr 2009 01:31:57 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/newblog/2009/04/02/know-thine-enemy-2009-tampa-bay-rays/#comment-38469 Thanks for a good look at this. When I compared the ages of the Rays vs. those of the Red Sox last year, I was amazed at how close the two teams were; and was also surprised at how close were the # of players from their farm systems. The ALCS was NOT age vs. youth or FA's vs. home grown as advertised. It is apparant that the Sox are more comfortable than the Rays at taking risks with older top vets like Schilling, Colon, Timlin, Wake, Smoltz, Saito; and giving contracts to top producers in their 30's like Drew, Lowell, Papi, Tek, Oki, Kotsay. However, on opening day this Monday, 17 of the 25 man roster will 30 and younger: 9 of the 13 position players, including Youk, Bay & Green who recently turned 30. And 8 of the 12 pitchers. To this, add 5 more pitchers and 3 position players in their 20's beating down the doors from AA & AAA. Like the Rays, the Sox are also a young team that will complete for a long, long time. Thanks for a good look at this. When I compared the ages of the Rays vs. those of the Red Sox last year, I was amazed at how close the two teams were; and was also surprised at how close were the # of players from their farm systems. The ALCS was NOT age vs. youth or FA’s vs. home grown as advertised.
It is apparant that the Sox are more comfortable than the Rays at taking risks with older top vets like Schilling, Colon, Timlin, Wake, Smoltz, Saito; and giving contracts to top producers in their 30’s like Drew, Lowell, Papi, Tek, Oki, Kotsay.
However, on opening day this Monday, 17 of the 25 man roster will 30 and younger: 9 of the 13 position players, including Youk, Bay & Green who recently turned 30. And 8 of the 12 pitchers. To this, add 5 more pitchers and 3 position players in their 20’s beating down the doors from AA & AAA. Like the Rays, the Sox are also a young team that will complete for a long, long time.

]]> http://firebrandal.com/2009/04/02/know-thine-enemy-2009-tampa-bay-rays.html/comment-page-1#comment-38468 Orange Julius Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:51:03 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/newblog/2009/04/02/know-thine-enemy-2009-tampa-bay-rays/#comment-38468 Evan, great analysis and appreciate the candor. What a dog fight it is going to be between the Sox-Rays-Yanks! Evan, great analysis and appreciate the candor. What a dog fight it is going to be between the Sox-Rays-Yanks!

]]> http://firebrandal.com/2009/04/02/know-thine-enemy-2009-tampa-bay-rays.html/comment-page-1#comment-38467 Sam K Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:03:11 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/newblog/2009/04/02/know-thine-enemy-2009-tampa-bay-rays/#comment-38467 Pena's a pretty good defender at first, too. Pena’s a pretty good defender at first, too.

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