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We know Rays need more than cowbells

By GARY SHELTON
Published September 29, 2006

There are things we know. There are things we need to know. And there are things about which we have a sneaking suspicion.

As a baseball season shuts down, it is time to separate one from the other.

Look, we knew the Rays were going to be bad. Nothing new there. We knew the pitching was going to be bad, and the payroll was going to be low and the veterans were going to be auctioned. We knew from the past that everyone was going to talk about the future.

What, then, has a year taught us about the Rays?

For instance, what have we learned about new owner Stuart Sternberg?

We have learned that he's a good guy. We have learned that he likes Springsteen, cowbells and free parking. Heck, next year, he may pay you to park. We have learned that when he is asked the specifics about increasing the payroll, he is the world's finest dodgeball player.

As of yet, however, we have not learned this about Sternberg: How much does all of this cellar-dwelling bother him? Does the prospect of 100 losses bother him as much as it bothers everyone else? And does it bother him enough to break out the platinum card?

Here is what we suspect: We suspect that Sternberg is going to spend more money next year, but not enough to make George Steinbrenner hide in the closet. We suspect that he realizes there is a fine line between waiting for Delmon Young and B.J. Upton to develop and losing some of Carl Crawford and Rocco Baldelli's best years. We suspect there is a significant difference in his DNA from that of Vince Naimoli.

We suspect that now is as good a time as ever to show it.

What have we learned about vice president Andrew Friedman?

We have learned that, in the time-honored Rays' tradition, he will trade today for tomorrow. We have learned that he intends to flood his minor leagues with pitchers. We have learned that he has a better plan than the old guy and, as such, he has a better chance. Also, he's going to need a bigger shovel.

As of yet, however, we don't know how some of his trades are going to turn out. When you trade for prospects, particularly pitching prospects, there is a lot of "we'll see" as to how a guy did. Most of all, we don't know how he will fare once the decisions get tougher than whether to dump Aubrey Huff's contract.

Here is what we suspect: A lot of teams are going to try to pick Friedman's pocket in the offseason. Already, there has been talk of trading Crawford, perhaps, for prospects.

If so, Friedman had better be right. Trading a player such as Crawford can be a career-defining move. If Friedman were to miss, it would be his Bobby Abreu trade.

What have we learned about manager Joe Maddon?

We have learned that he's the happiest skip in the whole USA. We have learned sunshine and lollipops. We have learned the lyrics to Don't Worry, Be Happy. We have learned that Elvis Costello wants his glasses back.

As of yet, however, we don't know whether Maddon is the right guy to raise the Rays' youngsters. Let's be honest: If Connie Mack managed this team with Walter Alston and Sparky Anderson as his base coaches, it wouldn't have won 70 games. The important part of Maddon's job is grooming the kids in case winning becomes possible.

Here is what I suspect: Maddon is smart enough to have learned there is a difference between being a coach and a manager. As a manager, there are times you can't be everybody's buddy.

Don't get me wrong. Like everyone else, I like Maddon, and I envy his neighbors. But I would like an occasional dose of reality mixed in. And when he argues with umpires, I would prefer it not look like an audition for Dancing With the Stars.

What, then, have we learned about the Rays' lineup?

We have learned the outfield is pretty impressive. We have learned the infield could use a bit of shoring up. We have learned when he griped about being too long in the minors, Young had a point.

As of yet, however, we don't know what the future has in store for Jonny Gomes. We don't know what position Upton should play. Most of all, we don't know which players can be moved to shore up the pitching.

What we suspect is the Rays would prefer to trade Gomes for pitching, but they could be talked into trading Baldelli, but everyone is going to come in talking about Crawford. We suspect the prospect makes you nervous.

What, then, have we learned about the pitching?

We have learned that we are in favor of it. We have learned that the Rays don't have enough of it. We have learned that if cloning is ever perfected, Scott Kazmir would be a nice place to start.

As of yet, however, we have not learned whether Kazmir can stay healthy. We have not learned whether the minor leagues will ever graduate a legitimate starter. We have not learned if there is a guy who you can count on for 10 wins next year.

What we suspect is this: When you look at the everyday lineup, particularly the outfield, this might be the time to sign a top-of-the-order starter. Maybe two.

What, then, have we learned about the Rays as an organization?

We have learned they're a little more approachable, a little more fan-friendly. We have learned that their ninth season of playing like an expansion team somehow felt a tad better than the first eight.

At this point, however, we still don't know what their name will be in the future.

What we suspect is that it won't be the Yankees.

[Last modified September 29, 2006, 00:51:08]