I like to see teams learn to walk before they run. I think Tampa will probably fall short this year, but the days of taking them lightly are officially over.

and, um, yes, Wang hung in there.

The yanks fired Bill Masse their AA manager in 2006 for exactly this.

He complained about Phil Hughes innings/ pitch limit because it was “hurting” their chances of winning. And in general, Masse, was supposedly chaffing at the developmental program the team had in place for their blue chip pitchers.

Masse was fired immediately after the season and replaced by Tony Franklin.

Dave Miley may not like what’s happening at AAA but he’s not going to be making any significant personnel or development decisions. AAA has a lot of journeymen as position players so perhaps he could shuffle things there but it’s not like he’s going to or could decide to bench Brett Gardner or something like that.

Great win today.

Shields is struggling? He’s got a 3:1 K:BB ratio, a pair of CG shutouts (against the Sox and Angels), and he actually often goes pretty deep into games. I don’t think you can classify him as struggling. He’s legit and good.

But let’s see where they are by the break.

I don’t know if you were around for the ‘69 season or not. I was.
Ryan was a minor player on that team. He had yet to find the consistency that he would after he went to the Angels.

Seaver was dominant and Koosman and Gentry were above average pitchers.

Kazmir has the potential to be dominant. Shields is struggling some this year but can be above average if he spots the fastball properly. I watched Garza the other day and he has the best stuff on the staff.

So while I am not saying there is a Seaver on the Rays staff, their starting pitchers potentially rank with the best in the AL. They and the excellent work they are getting fornt their bullpen are the reason this team is 10 games over .500. Oh and BTW they are tied for the best record in baseball.

My point is that teams underestimate them at their peril.

By the way, my sleeper team and current 2nd favorite team is the Oakland A’s. Beane to me, has got to be the best in the business. That team is as good as ever. They are deep at every position, great starters in the minors, great bullpen, good outfielders. I’m not saying they will be there in the end, but that team is fun to watch.