The Hangover: Chad Orvella Never Had A Chance To Make Team

• Jae Seo came back down to earth a bit allowing 5 runs in the first inning of his final spring tune up. The Rays lost to the Reds 5-4. BJ Upton had 3 hits and 2 stolen bases.
• That the Rays decided to send Seth McClung down to Durham doesn’t surprise us (25 base runners in 9.1 innings this spring), but Chad Orvella’s demotion has us shaking our heads. One day after the team released Dan Miceli based in large part on his performance, why in the world was Orvella sent down? 13 base runners in 10.1 innings is not bad, but 0.87 ERA is pretty darn good. Granted we were not there to see Orvella pitch everyday but the numbers indicate he did just about everything that was asked of him.
• The seven members of the bullpen are now set, but they better not get too comfortable. In reality, there are about 12 members of the bullpen and JetBlue may want to schedule regular flights between Tampa and Durham.
• Carlos Pena will decide in the next couple of days whether to accept a demotion to the minors or declare himself a free agent.
• An interview with Joe Maddon. Nothing too revealing except Papa Joe states that he loves competing in the AL East and wouldn’t want to be in another division.
• HERE is a geographical argument for having the Rays and Nationals switch divisions.

The Hangover: B. J. Upton Could Be Starting Second Baseman

• The Phillies beat the Rays 9-2 in Scott Kazmir’s final appearance before opening day. Damn, we hate losing to Philadelphia team in anything. So then we just go back and watch our tape of THIS game and we feel soooo much better.
• It appears as though we will need to adjust our roster projections after all as Dan Micelli appears to be on the verge of being released. The thought is that Micelli would be released to make room for Gary Glover on the 40-man roster. It also appears that Cantu could be sent to the minors in favor of Brendan Harris who is out of options. That move would allow Harris to be the backup infielder and make B. J. Upton the most days second baseman.
• Both Rocco Baldelli, Josh Paul and Dioner Navarro played in minor league games yesterday. Baldelli was a DH.
• After the three cuts yesterday, the Rays are now down to 34 players on the roster. Several of the cuts have already been decided but won’t occur until Rocco Baldelli, Dioner Navarro and Josh Paul return from their injuries.
• Jonny Gomes and Jorge Cantu seem to be feeling the pressure.
• Season ticket sales are up 10% and sponsorship deals are up 20%. Good news indeed, but keep in mind that 10% of very little is very little.

The Hangover: And The Wins Just Keep On Comin’

• 15 more runs and 14 more hits and the Rays have now won six of eight. Ben Zobrist and Jonny Gomes each homered. It was Gomes’ third of the spring. J. P. Howell staked his claim to the 5th spot in the rotation by pitching 5 innings of 1-run ball giving up 4 hits and striking out 5. The most important number in his stat line was 1, as in 1 walk. Howell’s ability to keep runners off base may just give him the edge over Edwin Jackson.
  
• Carl Crawford is the latest Rays to miss a game with a sore muscle as he sat out last night with a tight groin. Jon Switzer was placed on the DL with tendinitis in his shoulder, virtually guaranteeing that the Rays will start the season without a lefty in the bullpen.
• Here is an interesting (and sobering) attempt at projecting Akinori Iwamura’s numbers based on his Japanese statistics. They looked at six offensive categories for all Japanese hitters currently in the big leagues and averaged the differences between their Japanese stats and their big league stats. Over 600 at bats, Muu-Rah’s numbers would be.287 BA, .340 OBP, .441 SLG, 82 runs, 18 HR and 75 RBI. Well, we already know that Joe Maddon will only be starting Iwamura against righties, so 450 at bats is more realistic. That would translate into 62 runs, 14 HR and 56 RBI. We are not surprised about the drop-off in power, but we were expecting something a little better than Ronnie Belliard.
• We have teased Elijah Dukes at times, and have been critical at times, but we have never wanted him anywhere but the Rays lineup. We have been teased by the minor league numbers and the scouts reports. The idea that some scouts think he could end up being better than any of the three current starters in the outfield, just gives us goose bumps. After reading this sportsIllustrated.com piece, Mr. Dukes may be the one player we are most looking forward to seeing on opening day. Is it wrong that we are secretly hoping that Rocco Baldelli is limited to DH duty the first week?
• One pitcher that hasn’t been mentioned for the closer’s role is the one pitcher who had the job to start 2006, Dan Miceli. Miceli says that throwing in the World Baseball Classic during spring training last year threw of his schedule and could have led to the injury that sidelined him for half the season. This spring he has lost 30 pounds and is working on regaining his velocity. If he does, he will be in the mix for saves.
• The Baseball Thinkfactory has a very in depth look at the 2007 Devil Rays. Its amazing what somebody can put together when they actually do some homework.