9=8: A Tampa Bay Rays Franchise

[vatechfan44]

Game: MLB 2k10
Games: 162
Rosters: Dzznutz v 1.1
Difficulty: All Star
Sliders: Default
Simulation: Will play first couple games of the series the rest of the series I simulate.
Trades/Free Agents: The rule I am using for FAs or trades is that it has to be realistic or a deal that the Rays are doing in real life.

[vatechfan44]

2009 in Review

Nick Price

Tampa Bay, FL-The Tampa Bay Rays finished 2009 with a record of 84-78 which is good for finishing third place in the AL East. The Rays had ups and downs last year with injuries (Carlos Pena) but still ended up looking like the 2008 Rays. The only problem with that is that the Red Soxs and Yankees caught up with them and didnt take them as a fluke anymore.

Lets look at the ups first. As a team the Rays ended up hitting 199 home runs, 297 doubles, and 36 triples. Along with Jason Bartlet hitting an incredible .320 batting average.

The downside is that the James Shields went 11-12 with a ERA of 4.14. Matt Garza didnt step up either by winning only 8 games and having an ERA of 3.95. Overall if the Rays pitching was better the Rays could of been maybe playing ball in October.

Hopefully this is year the Rays can catch the Red Soxs and Yankees and make a push at a playoff spot.

[vatechfan44]

2010 Season Preview

Nick Price

Tampa Bay, FL-In a couple of weeks the Rays' pitchers will report to Spring Training, which means its time for the 2010 Season Preview.

The Rays start the 2010 season with a bad taste in their mouth after last year's dissapointing season (see 2009 Season Review).

This year though the Rays are ready for the Yankees big line-up, the Red Soxs great pitching staff, Toronto's effective line-up and the Orioles young studs. " I think last year our guys thought that it would be a easy win against the Orioles or Toronto and it is my fault for not taking charge and telling them to focuse on those series just as much as the Yankees or Red Soxs." said Rays' skipper Joe Maddon.

With Evan Longoria and Carlos Pena in the line-up along with newly discovered Ben Zobrist, the Rays hope to have a great season at the plate. Add B.J. Upton, Carl Crawford, and Jason Bartlett and you have one of the best line-ups in baseball.

As far as pitching goes for this year for the Rays, it cant get much worst. Shields and Garza struggled while Newman and Price stepped up. Hopefully the Rays can get Shields and Garza off to a fast start. The bullpen gets a whole new look this year, Percivl is gone while Rafeal Soriano takes his place (see Rays' Offseason Acquisitions).

The Rays remain optimistic coming into this season and hope for a great one.

[vatechfan44]

Tampa Bay Rays'
Offseason Acquisitions

Nick Price

Tampa, FL-Pitchers are just a couple days away from begining spring training here are some new faces you will see this spring:

Rafael Soriano (ATL)
Soriano comes over to the Rays and will make a impact at the closer spot in the Rays' bullpen.

Kelly Shoppach (CLE)
Will be in close competion with Navaro for the starting catcher position.

Hank Blalock (TEX)
Has a chance to be a great platoon/role model for the Rays this year.

[vatechfan44]

Any comments, suggestions, and/or tips before I begin Spring Training?