The “We can’t figure out the Rangers” Rays fan.

                Refer back to my post on Dec. 16^th, and you will find a sorrowful description of the Rangers prison like conditions they experienced over the last two years.  The Rays have been subjected to imprisonment of their own, and their “division series” sized cell is engulfed in the corner of the much larger “World Series” sized cell inhabited by the Rangers.  And with the Rangers bullishly flaunting their recent bid approval for the international Japanese phenomenon, Yu Darvish; Rays fans could be looking at another year of divisional imprisonment.  

                It’s a shame the Rays couldn’t exercise the same wildcard attitude and mentality the Cardinals were able to implement during the post-season.  By the gut wrenching way the Rays closed out the regular season, in what proved to be yet another thrilling A.L. East glorified wildcard battle, where only a self-destruction could have hindered the Red Sox;  it certainly appeared as if the Rays were going to cause some serious damage in the post-season.  But the Rangers, particularly Adrian Beltre and Mike Napoli, had different plans for the culmination of the Rays season.

                The Rays have been among the quietest of teams this off-season in player acquisition.  Their mix of players both young and experienced has proved as a formula for turning the team into a regular season winner over the last four seasons.  Can’t leave out credit where credit is due, and a good deal of credit needs to go to Joe ‘turn around” Maddon for getting the team to the A.L. playoff picture three out of the last four years.

                 So what’s the problem, Rays fans?  Damon, Joyce, Kotchman, Zobrist, Upton, and Longoria are all competent hitters.  Throw in some proficient pitching in Shields, Hellickson, and Price, what’s not to like?  The Rays have the tools to be in contention in the A.L. this year, but unfortunately a 162 game season doesn’t reward teams for being just a contender.  Subtle moves, like signing Peralta to a one-year deal, are not going to assist the Rays in breaking out of their divisional prison.  It’s certainly not impossible for the Rays to make a run in 2012, but with the noise the rest of the A.L. is making in free agency, their hopes of hunting further into October becomes more and more difficult if they don’t consider upgrading their armory.