Tampa Bay Devil Rays: An Alternate History

[thebigUNIT]

Hey everyone, whatsup? I'm a big fan of a lot of the dynasty threads featured on the board and have been inspired to start my own. I've never really written one of these, though I've read quite a few, so it'll be a learn-as-I-go-type deal. I've run a handful of sucessful solo, mainly fictional, leagues that I'm disappointed about not writing about (from the start), because I know no matter what, even if there were only a few select readers, I'd continue on. I have a lot of fun with the leagues I run and I'm hoping to share that experience with you, the reader. So, with that, let's get this bad boy on the road!

TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS: AN ALTERNATE HISTORY
In 1998, Major League Baseball expanded to 30 teams, adding franchises in Arizona and Tampa Bay. While Arizona has since appeared in the playoffs, once winning a title, Tampa Bay has sat in the cellar of the American League East.


THE DYNASTY:
I'll be taking over the expansion Devil Rays team of '98 as is, looking to alter
their history. Though their history has been brief, it's been consistent: lose,
lose, lose.

Rather than be the cellar dwellers they've become to be known as, I hope
that under new management and with a new agenda, outlook and plan, I can
build the Devil Rays into a sucessful, contending team and organization. I'll
make the moves as I see fit, but I won't take it overboard with the
transactions. Management knew that they were unlikely to contend right
away, so I'll tough it, again hopeful that I can build a successful team.


THE BIGGEST CATCH:
Rather than import the stars of today (eg.: Johan Santana, Dontrelle Willis,
Ichiro, etc.) as time transpires, the rookies and "amatuers" will be computer
generated.


THE AGENDA:
Overview: develop major league talent that can help contend at the latest, in 2002.

-Within a three season period, build a contending major league club.
It would be an unlikely idea to build a successful organization in just three
years (that instead, will take place over time), but not so to build a
contending team. This means we have the three full seasons to build the
team and at the latest we should be contending in 2002.

-Develop, develop, develop!
Whatever talent we come across, we intend to develop it. Drafted, free
agent signings, or trade acquisitions, whoever is there. No player should be overlooked.

-Pitching Focus.
What we are looking for from our pitching staff are guys who have 1) good
control and 2) are groundball pitchers. If you can get the occasional
strikeout, even better. Guys with good control, good stuff and get ground
ball outs are best fit for the team. Also, successful teams will also have a
good bullpen, so we feel it key to have one as well.

-Hitting Focus.
Everyone loves the guys who are good at making contact and have a good
eye. If that player is out there, we sure can use him. But we won't be
afraid to pluck a guy with any type of power, gap or homerun. Hitters with
speed are a plus, especially those who can bunt their way on.

-Fielding Focus.
One of the team's major focus will be fielding. The hope is that if we can
field, we won't lose the close games because of errors. With the idea that
our pitching staff will be focused on getting groundballs, it's key that our
infielders have a good range, glove, and arm. Those three pieces are
essential for each fielder, though, be it an infielder or outfielder.

-The Ideal Draft Prospect.
The ideal prospect won't necessarily be a college player, just because
he's "more polished", it'll be the player with the tools we need. Small
prefrences include: high school hitter over college hitter, college pitcher over
high school pitcher.

[thebigUNIT]

Meet..Your.. TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS!

TEAM OVERVIEW
-Good, young, potential every day contributors
-Good, but aging, hitters
-Finesse pitchers, no flamethrowers
-Solid 1-2 punch in rotation: Alvarez-Arroyo
-Pieces to other team's puzzles? Come July, a lot of these guys could be on there way out to pennant race teams.
-Lack minor league talent

OPENING DAY ROSTER
PITCHERS				HITTERS
SP Wilson Alvarez			C John Flaherty
SP Rolando Arroyo			C/1B Tim Laker
SP Jason Johnson			1B/DH Fred McGriff
SP Tony Saunders			1B Paul Sorrento
SP Terrell Wade				2B Miguel Cairo
MR Scott Aldred				INF Bobby Smith
MR Rick Gorecki				3B Wade Boggs
MR Albie Lopez				SS Aaron Ledesma
MR Jim Mecir				SS Kevin Stocker
MR Rick White				OF Jerome Walton
MR Esteban Yan				OF Randy Winn
CL Roberto Hernandez			OF Quinton McCracken
					OF Dave Martinez

OPENING DAY LINEUP
1. Quinton McCracken, CF - Will cover a lot of ground in the outfield;
good singles-hitter with decent speed; slightly below average eye, but should
still be a good table setter
2. Dave Martinez, RF - Won't necessarily hit for a high average, but
should post a good enough OBP where Boggs and McGriff can knock him in;
doesn't cover much ground in the outfield, but won't need to; poor range,
no doubt, but a HUGE arm
3. Wade Boggs, 3B - The aging Wade Boggs will be 40 in June, so it's
unsure how long he'll be around. Hopefully long enough to get his 3000th hit,
as he sits at 2800. Wade can still hit, but not like he once used too. How
much gas does he have left?
4. Fred McGriff, DH - The "Crime Dog" is getting up there in age, too,
and will be in 35 in October, but still going strong. He's coming off 11
straight seasons of .270 hitting, getting on base at a .360 clip and 20+
homeruns.
5. Paul Sorrento, 1B - Paul is coming off a 31 HR campaign in 1997 in
only 457 at bats; because of his outstanding glove at first base and power
potential, he will likely be the full-time first basemen
6. Bobby Smith, 2B - The 23 year old rookie isn't a blue-chip prospect,
but he does possess average tools. If the cards fall right, though, he could
suprise a few people.
7. Jerome Walton, LF - Jerome who? The 32 year old journey man will
look to make Tampa Bay his home, but because of his lack of, well, nearly
everything, it is unlikely. Jerome is, at this point, a mere plug.
8. Kevin Stocker, SS - Probably the fastest and best baserunner on
the team, which doesn't say much because of the lack of speed on the
team. He's an average fielder with a strong arm, gunning the ball across the
diamond.
9. John Flaherty, C - A great signal caller and defender, but not much
of a hitter. But what he lacks at the plate, hopefully he'll make up for from
behind the plate.

OFF THE BENCH
C/1B Tim Laker - Solid defensively, will probably see a lot of late
innings opposed to starts. Not much to say on his hitting, besides it's
average at best.
2B Miguel Cairo - Because he only plays second base, it is unlikely he
will see much playing time because he is notches below Bobby, despite being
the same age and having two years more experience. If Bobby struggles,
Miguel will jump in for him.
INF Aaron Ledesma - Aaron plays anywhere in the infield, but not
necessarily well. A good utility player nonetheless, who will show some
occasional pop in his bat.
OF Randy Winn - Randy is an emerging prospect who may break into
the lineup very soon. He has good tools, possibly the right ones to be a
future lead off hitter. Decent speed, plays anywhere in the outfield, but with
center and rightfield secured for the time being, it is likely that he'll see most
of the time in leftfield.

PITCHING STAFF
1. Wilson Alvarez, LHP - The 28 year old, finesse pitcher is coming off
a string of good years in Chicago and heads the pitching staff. A good fit for
the team.
2. Rolando Arroyo, RHP - A solid frontline starter who could possibly
have a bigger and better season than Alvarez.
3. Tony Saunders, LHP - Doesn't have much control of his pitches, but
gets a of movement out of his pitches. Will strikeout a fair share of batters,
but could walk just as many. Still at the tender age of 23, so he could
develop into a solid starter.
4. Jason Johnson, RHP - Should develop into a solid, middle-of-the-
rotation pitcher. Lacks endurance, but could give 7 strong innings.
5. Terrell Wade, LHP - The third finesse lefty on the staff; hope to
get solid innings out of him and at worst, have him eat innings. Could
become a 3rd or 4th pitcher on the staff, but would take some time.

THE BULLPEN
RHP Albie Lopez - Maybe be called "The Janitor" at season's end -
likely to mop up a lot of innings. May see an inning in a close game and may
get the occasional spot start.
RHP Rick Gorecki - Lanky, (6'3", 167 lbs) groundball pitcher. The 24
year old may break into the pitching staff if Wade or Johnson struggle; good
movement of pitches.
RHP Rick White - Solid reliever. Should make a good amount of
appearances.
RHP Esteban Yan - Emerging prospect; potential setup man or closer,
but for the time being he'll pitch in the 6th or 7th inning. Fearless 22 year
old, willing to challenge the hitters; good stuff.
RHP Jim Mecir - Probably best pitcher to come out of the pen. Will set
up Hernandez in the 8th against righties, sharing time with LHP Scott Aldred.
LHP Scott Aldred - Only left-hander to come out of the pen. Good
control and movement of his pitches.
RHP Roberto Hernandez - Will probably get into a couple jams because
he lacks control and loses focus at times, but can battle his way
out. "Wants the ball"-type pitcher and barring any meltdowns, will get it.

[thebigUNIT]

TAMPA BAY TRIBUNE
DEVIL RAYS SHINE IN FRANCHISE DEBUT; DEFEAT CUBAN DEFECTOR
Tampa Bay, FL - In their first game of franchise history, the Tampa
Bay Devil Rays defeat the famed and history-enriched New York Yankees, 8-7.

Infront of a sold out crowd at Tropicana Stadium, Tampa ace Wilson Alvarez
faced the recently defected Cuban, Orlando Hernandez, or "El Duque".
Hernandez, who got the suprising Opening Day start, despite no major league
experience, was pounded for 7 runs, all earned, off 11 hits, in just 5.2 innings.

"It just wasn't meant to be," said Hernandez through an interpreter. "I
thought I had some of my best stuff, but these are major leaguers. I'll have
to adjust to keep up."

The Devil Rays jumped on El Duque early, scoring a run in each of the first
three innings and a pair in both the 5th and 6th innings. Thirdbasemen Wade
Boggs hit a pair of two out doubles against Hernandez, finally knocking him
out in the 6th. Boggs, who is quickly approaching 40 and not showing any
signs of stopping, went 3-3, driving in four runs.

"Been doin' this for the past 16 years," said Boggs. "Day in and day out, ain't
about to stop now. Love this game."

The hitting heroics of Boggs and teammate Dave Martinez, who went 3-4
with three runs scored, were needed as Wilson Alvarez wasn't at his best.
Alvarez, too, only lasted 5.2 innings, but fared much better than Hernandez,
giving up only three runs off seven hits.

After a four run 7th inning for the Yankees, Tampa Bay left fielder Jerome
Walton had what was to be the game winning run, a solo home run off
reliever Mike Stanton.

Roberto Hernandez pitched a perfect 9th for his first save of the season.

[metsgeek]

Nice start so far. I like the idea of fictional rookies.

[Astros33Resurrected]

wonderful idea.

[thebigUNIT]

Thanks for the comments guys, I really apreciate'm!

BASEBALL-HERALD.COM
April 4, 1998
YANKS SURVIVE OPENING DAY LOSS, TAKE SERIES
After a disappointing Opening Day loss to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the Yankees battled back quickly, taking the final two games of the series. David Cone was strong in game two, going 7.2 innings. Throwing 120 pitches, he allowed only six base runners and two runs. The Yankees lineup did the rest, with them winning 5-2. In the rubber game, the Yankees needed a late game rally, scoring five runs in the final two innings to win 7-4.
GRIFFEY JR. BELTS 5 HOME RUNS IN 3 DAY SPAN
Ken Griffey Jr. started off the first weekend of the season by hitting five homeruns. In just three games in Texas, Griffey put five balls over the fence, driving in nine. Seattle won all three games, outscoring the Rangers 32-10. For his performance, Griffey Jr, has been named the Baseball-Herald.com Player of the Week.
JON LIEBER OUT FIVE WEEKS
Pittsburgh's Jon Lieber was placed on the 15 day DL yesterday, but is likely out for the next five weeks. In the 3rd inning of a game against Milwaukee, Lieber threw a pitch to Fernando Vina and grimaced in pain afterwards. It was unsure what had happened, but team doctors knew it wasn't good.

"You could tell he was in pain," said team doctor, John Grafton. "We ran a couple tests and it looks like he strained his Tricep Muscle. It's likely he'll need a little over a month to recover."

[thebigUNIT]

Two weeks into the season, checking in on who's off to a hot start:

APRIL 12, 1998
AL TOP AVG 				AL TOP HR
1  J. Gonzalez (TEX)    .538 		1  J. Gonzalez (TEX) 	8 
2  H. Morris (KCA) 	.500 		2  K. Griffey jr. (SEA) 7 
3  M. Vaughn (BOS) 	.462 		3  A. Belle (CHA)       5 
4  R. Alomar (BAL) 	.444 		4  4 Tied with 4
5  R. Christenson (OAK) .435 

AL TOP ERA 				AL TOP Wins
1  B. Simas (CHA) 	0.93 		1  M. Mussina (BAL)     3 
2  T. Gordon (BOS) 	1.42 		1  R. Johnson (SEA) 	3 
3  H. Pichardo (KCA) 	1.65 		3  Numerous tied with 2
4  T. Ritchie (MIN) 	2.13 
5  R. Johnson (SEA) 	2.25 

NL TOP AVG				NL TOP HR 
1  D. Hamilton (SFN)    .632 		1  S. Sosa (CHN) 	8 
2  M. Grace (CHN) 	.444 		2  M. Piazza (LAN) 	5 
2  R. Cedeno (LAN) 	.444 		2  J. Burnitz (MIL) 	5 
4  B. Bonds (SFN) 	.440 		4  3 Tied with 4
5  S. Sosa (CHN) 	.436 

NL TOP ERA 				NL TOP Wins
1  R. Bottalico (PHI) 	0.00 		1  R. Bottalico (PHI)   4 
1  A. Benes (ARI) 	0.00 		2  S. Estes (SFN) 	3 
1  S. Elarton (HOU) 	0.00 		3  Numerous tied with 2 
4  J. Juden (MIL) 	0.66 
5  D. Pall (FLO) 	0.96

[thebigUNIT]

Last update of the day..enjoy!

NOTE:
4/14, I wasn't really looking to make any moves anytime soon, but when I got a trade offer from Cleveland I thought I'd look into it. I was surprised to see they were offering me Brian Giles (!) for Tony Saunders. When you're looking to build a team from the ground up, you can't let things like this slip away! Honestly, looking into it more, the trade makes some sense for Cleveland. They've got a dynamite outfield with David Justice, Kenny Lofton and Manny Ramirez at their best (good ratings everywhere on those guys), and with Giles gone, Mark Whiten as their fourth outfielder. They're weaknesses are starting pitching and at second basemen. Saunders will be a good pickup for them because of his current ratings and his potential output. With the move, the one strength I really had, according to the game, starting pitching, is now gone, but for a Brian Giles, it's worth it!



TAMPA BAY TRIBUNE
GILES ACQUIRED IN DEAL WITH INDIANS
Tampa Bay, FL - After their opening day victory against the New York
Yankees, the Devil Rays dropped nine of the next 10 games. With poor
performances from every direction, Devil Rays management took a step in the
right direction, one for the future, acquiring OF Brian Giles from Cleveland for
LHP Tony Saunders.

Giles, 27, who had seen playing time as a DH in Cleveland, was the
Cleveland's fourth outfielder on their depth chart, making him expandable.

"Losing a guy like Brian Giles would be tough for most teams," said one AL
executive. "He's an up and coming star, but Cleveland's got three bonafide
ones already in the outfield. What they really need is pitching and they
addressed that issue here."

In 37 at bats this season, Giles has hit .270, slamming two homeruns.

"I'm excited to know that I'm a core piece to a young, energetic team," said
Giles to reporters. "They have some talent over their and Tony (Saunders)
was just one of many of them."

Saunders, who had been roughed up in his two starts this season, is sporting
an 0-1 record with a 7.59 ERA. Saunders was 4-6, with a 4.61 ERA last
season and will step in behind Bartolo Colon as the number two pitcher in
Cleveland.

Taking Saunders spot in the rotation is Rick Gorecki (0-0, 3.60).

[thebigUNIT]

BASEBALL-HERALD.COM
SOSA SLAMS 18 APRIL HOMERUNS
Slammin' Sammy Sosa belted a major league 18 April homeruns for the Chicago Cubs. Sosa, has splashed onto to the "slugger's scene" with five straight seasons of 25 or more homeruns, topping it with 40 in 1996. Along with his 18 homeruns, Sosa drove in 38 runs! Despite his incredible effort, his Cubs are only in 3rd place in the NL Central, two games behind first place St. Louis.
WHITE SOX OUTFIELDER OUT INDEFINATELY
Chicago White Sox right fielder Magglio Ordonez is out at least a month after breaking his left hand in a game against Texas. Texas pitcher Darren Oliver drilled Ordonez in the second inning. Ordonez, 24, considered a hot-shot, can't miss prospect, fell to the ground, clutching his hand in severe pain.
SEGUI TRADED TO TWINS
The Seattle Mariners sent OF/1B David Segui to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for minor league 3B Corey Koskie. Segui, 31, a perennial all-star player, has hit .276 on the season and will take over the first basemen duties in Minnesota. Koskie, a top prospect for Minnesota, is considered a top-notch fielder, gets the bat on the ball and is "country strong". Koskie was batting .330 with six homeruns for Minnesota's minor league affiliate, AAA Rochester.

[thebigUNIT]

GM NOTES
Suprising and disappointing performances everywhere!

-Our 1-2 rotation combination of Alvarez and Arroyo are a combined 1-12,
allowing 84 runs in 105.1 innings! Disgusting.

-Meanwhile, our number 4 and 5 guys, Jason Johnson and Rick Gorecki are 6-
3 with an ERA of 3.50.

-Who thought Wade Boggs was out of gas? Not through the first month and
a half anyways, he's batting .331, getting on base at nearly a .400 clip and
has driven in 23!

-Rookie secondbasemen, Bobby Smith, is batting .340, powering five
homeruns out and also driving in 23.

-The biggest and best suprise this year, so far, was hearing from Cleveland
back in mid- April. Their offer of Brian Giles for Tony Saunders was poetry in
motion for us. It should really pay off now and down the road!

[thebigUNIT]

TAMPA BAY TRIBUNE
McCRACKEN INJURED, OUT 2-3 MONTHS
Tampa Bay, FL - The Devil Rays will be without one of their brightest,
young, rising stars, as he is expected to miss the next two to three months.

Center fielder Quinton McCracken, injured himself diving for a ball driven into
the gap off the bat of his Baltimore counterpart, Brady Anderson. McCracken
just missed making the catch, but could not recover and finish the play. He
layed in serious pain for several minutes before being helped up and carted
off the field.

"It's a huge blow to the team," said one team official. "It just goes to show
the passion Quinton has for the game, when he dives for a ball in a
meaningless game, down 6-0. He sacrificed his body and payed for it."

McCracken had been batting .265 with 23 runs scored as the Devil Ray's
leadoff man. 23 year old 4th outfielder, Randy Winn will fill in for the time
being.

[thebigUNIT]

AMATUER DRAFT DIARY
We hold the first overall pick in the draft and a few players we're targeting
right now. I don't think there's a "sure" 1st pick, there's a couple worthy
canidates.
...
The draft is starting soon and we really like two guys, one shortstop, one
outfielder: Chattahoochee (GA) HS shortstop, Markus Carner. He looks like
he could be a really good hitter - good power and a good eye - but doesn't
field his position well, which is the biggest knock on him. The other guy
we're eyeing is Central Michigan left fielder, Bill "Country Boy" Adams. He's
got good power potential and an uncanny eye at the plate. He had a good
sophomore campaign for C. Michigan, batting .327-15-55, not to mention the
always lovely .447 OBP!
...
The best pitcher available at this point is probably Lincoln-Stockton HS ace,
Michael Austin. He's a big kid, 6'5", 210 lbs. He can light it up on the gun,
hitting 97 on the radar gun, and also has a nasty curve. He's got great stuff
and his size is definately a plus - he's built like an NFL QB. He'd probably be
a bit of a reach at this point but he sure has some talent.
...
Two last minute notes: there's two more shortstops besides Carner that will
probably go in the top 10: Williamson (KY) Prep star, James McIver and
Michigan's James Kinne. McIver should be a good hitter and it's been agreed
upon scouts that he's got the best batting eye in the draft, even better than
Country Boy Adams! Kinne, on the other hand, would make a great leadoff
hitter. He's got great speed, he's a good fielder, makes good contact, has a
good eye and even has some power. Despite being the best five tool option
out there, he might be a reach..but is that possible, a five-tool player being
a reach?

Now, you see the dilemna we're dealing with! We'll see you there!

(NOTE: I'll most likely draft tomorrow as I have to get ready for work
shortly, so feel free to voice your opinion on who you'd like the Devil Rays to
select!)

[jaykno14]

If Carner isn't a good fielder don't take him because you always want your shortstop to have good fielding. Adams might not be a bad choice considering his year at Central Michigan. As for the high school pitcher, I wouldn't take the chance. Too many arm problems possible. And the only other guy I would look at taking is the five tool guy, Kinne. Looking foward to it.