Comments on: Report: Astros receive permission to interview Rays’ Andrew Friedman

By: Reflex

Reflex — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:30:34 +0000

You might want to look at what thier core is composed of. Very few were first round draft picks. Their real strength has been picking up and developing players from lower in the draft. Their top hitting and top pitching propsects right now were second rounders. Success won’t harm their ability to get good talents in the second through fifth round, something they’ve done consistently well for years now. Most of their first round picks have been flops.

By: stex52

stex52 — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:57:19 +0000

The points made above make some sense. It is an outstanding organization for what it has done, but how long can you maintain if the fans don’t come? I am sure that Houston will line up for a winner.

By: proudlycanadian

proudlycanadian — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:22:32 +0000

It makes sense to talk with him even if he is unlikely to move, just to pick his brain. His opinions would be quite useful.

By: dan1111

dan1111 — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:27:35 +0000

I think Florida76 has some valid points. It will be very hard for the Rays to keep winning in this division. They haven’t been lucky–they been great at drafting and player development, as well as making smart low-cost signings. However, they face two problems going forward. First, the strength of their current core is partly due to the high draft picks they got when they were terrible. Obviously that won’t continue. Second, the Yankees and Red Sox also have smart management. The Rays could easily defeat poorly-run teams that spend a lot of money, but their competition develop talent, make smart signings, AND spend wads of cash.
That will make it very hard on them. (This second point could change with the new Sox management, but I don’t think it would be wise to count on it).

I agree that the Rays, no matter how well-run, will need a stronger fan base to consistently compete in the AL East. So far this hasn’t materialized, even after four years of success.

By: Reflex

Reflex — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 09:04:58 +0000

I love how every single season you go on and on about how the Rays are getting lucky or making the playoffs due to the failures of others and that its all going to end soon. I called you out for this at the beginning of the season when you called the Rays a .500 team at best. I pointed out that the losses they had were not nearly as serious as it seemed, and pointed to several young prospects who would mitigate the loss of several stars. I said it was likely they would hit the playoffs again.

And they did. Don’t forget the Rays are part of why the Red Sox folded, they beat them up quite a bit down the stretch. The Rays have made the playoffs in three of the past four years, including a division title. At a certain point this is just a consistently good team. I’m not saying they’ll maintain it forever, but at this point in the toughest division in the game, they are sustaining more success than almost any team not named the Phillies, Red Sox or Yankees across all of baseball.

Its not luck. Its a well run team. You don’t win this much in that division because the rival teams were ‘bad’. The Yanks and Red Sox are two of the top five teams in the game every single season. The Rays have joined them.

By: florida76

florida76 — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 06:27:41 +0000

Gotta look at this situation from Friedman’s perspective for a moment. He’s done a great job for Tampa Bay, but the respect and support from the community has been tepid at best. Also, the lack of support may soon impact the quality of the on field product. We must remember it took an epic collapse by the Red Sox for the Rays just to make the playoffs this season. The franchise could possibly relocate by the end of this decade to a location which may not appeal to him.

Rays have had a remarkable run, even though the 2010-11 playoff appearances have been short-lived.
Meanwhile, the new Astros’ leadership appears to have deep pockets and play in a more equitable division. So at the end of the day, Friedman has tangible reasons to consider leaving Tampa.

By: marinersnate

marinersnate — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:10:38 +0000

Or Chuck Norris.

By: stex52

stex52 — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 04:00:52 +0000

It has been talked around the Houston press since July, but I have found it hard to believe until now. He is a Houston native, and they have always said he wanted to be in the Astros organization. But I don’t know how you can walk away from what they have done in Tampa Bay. They do amazing things.

Besides, how good is a GM without a first class scouting organization? But we certainly use an upgrade at GM.

By: Chris K

Chris K — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:28:18 +0000

I don’t get it? Like…what kind of advantage would this move make? Is Friedman just going to become victim of his own hubris?

By: Bryz

Bryz — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:11:14 +0000

If Garza and Buchholz have been rumored compensation for Theo Epstein going to the Cubs and John Farrell potentially going to the Red Sox, respectively, then the Rays might as well aim high also and ask for Bud Norris.

By: lyon810

lyon810 — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 02:51:14 +0000

As compensation for poaching Friedman, the ‘stros should send Jordan Schafer and the hill in centerfield to Tampa

By: hittfamily

hittfamily — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 02:36:59 +0000

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!