Tampa Bay Rays

As Tampa Bay Rays followers, we knew it wouldn't be long. As the Yankees close in our their latest purchase of another World Series, there's a stark realization that Tampa Bay fans must face.

For the Rays to be able to compete in the high priced American League East and remain financially viable, the Rays must be smarter than the Yankees and Red Sox brass.

Brian Cashman, GM for the Yankees, may win Executive of the Year, but folks, give me $500 million to spend on three players, I could win the award.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports announced Tuesday that the Tampa Bay Rays have sent 2B Akinori Iwamura to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for right-handed relief pitcher Jesse Chavez.

While trades are generally encouraged to wait until after the completion of the World Series by MLB officials to avoid distraction, details of the trade were leaked Tuesday with an official announcement by the clubs to be expected in the next 24 hours.

According to an AP report, the Tampa Bay Rays have re-signed one half of their Double-Gabe right field platoon, welcoming back Gabe Kapler.

The team announced a one-year deal worth $1.05 million earlier today. The 34-year-old Kapler played in 99 games this season for the Rays, sharing time with Gabe Gross in right field, and finished the year batting .239 with eight homers and 32 RBI.

For Rays fans, it's probably the worst outcome possible. The Yankees versus the Phillies in the World Series.

It may be hard for those outside the Tampa Bay area to understand, but there's something nasty about Tampa Bay fans feelings toward New York and Philadelphia.

First, let's talk Yankees. There's good reason for Rays fans to hate the Yankees. The Yankee fans (not all but many) are some of the most obnoxious fans that come to Tropicana Field.

Under normal circumstances, winning a Sept. 14 game against the Baltimore Orioles would be a big one.

Under normal circumstances, David Price's seven strong innings or Reid Brignac's 4-for-4 night would be a cause for elation.

But under normal circumstances, the Tampa Bay Rays wouldn't be just getting over an 11-game losing streak.

What is there to get excited about any more this year?

Even a win reminds us that this team was only a few games out of the American League Wild Card spot less than two weeks ago.  

After getting destroyed by some of the best teams in the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays finally found a team they could beat—the Baltimore Orioles. They didn't make it easy, rallying from an early 4-1 deficit to pull off an 8-4 win.

David Price overcame a four run first inning to pitch seven strong innings for Tampa Bay and secure his 8th victory of the season.

Reid Brignac not only powered the offense for the Rays, but made the defensive play of the game robbing a base hit. Brignac went 4-for-4 with a home run, a single, two doubles and three RBI.

Tampa Bay recovered from an extremely slow start to the season to pull above .500 in the second quarter. With 83 games in the books, the Rays have passed the midway point in 2009, and we begin to gear up for the second half of the season and hopefully a stretch run.

When we looked at the team at the quarter pole, the Rays were a measly 21-22. Since May 21, the Rays have gone 23-17. At times they have looked like the champions of the American League, defending their crown. At other times, they've looked like the "Devil" Rays. Consistency remains elusive for this ball club.

Entering the holiday weekend, the Rays came in as one of the hottest teams in baseball. When it was over, the Texas Rangers were in first place and the Rays fell further behind in both the AL East Divisional race and the AL wildcard chase.

Texas swept Tampa Bay by silencing the red hot bats of the Rays, and taking advantage of uncharacteristic defensive lapses in their three game sweep.

Tampa Bay recovered from an extremely slow start to the season to pull over .500 in the second quarter. With 83 games in the books, the Rays have passed the midway point in 2009 and we begin to gear up for the second half of the season and hopefully a stretch run.

When we looked at the team at the quarter pole, the Rays were a measly 21-22. Since May 21, the Rays have gone 23-17.

At times they have looked like the champions of the American League, defending their crown. At other times, they've looked like the "Devil" Rays. Consistency remains elusive for this ball club.