Why The Young Should Get Younger.

This is what I hope the position players on the Rays 25man team look like opening day. I am well aware that this is highly unlikely but here goes anyhow.

Catcher: Shoppach, Navarro

1st base: Pena

2nd base: S. Rodriguez, E. Johnson

Shortstop: Bartlett, Brignac

3rd base: Longoria

Left field: Crawford

Center field: Upton, J.Ruggiano

Right field: Zobrist, Joyce

      Put Aybar on the DL(wrist) to start the season and trade or release Pat Burrell and Gabe Kapler. These players are virtually assured a spot on the 25 man roster while Johnson and Ruggiano are likely to be sent down or released depending on their options. If that's the unfortunate case they and I will be left scratching our heads as to how to make a big league team.

    Over the last 3 spring trainings E.Johnson has 41 hits in 111 at bats. That's a .370 clip, he also has 18 rbi's and 10 sb's and plays multiple positions on defense. Not to mention it was Johnson who trucked Yanks backup catcher Cervelli in spring of 08 setting the tone for the season. He is out of options and I will be sad to see him go if he goes.

    Ruggiano is having a whale of a spring but getting lost in what Sean Rodriguez is doing. Check this stat line. .478 avg, .520 obp, . 913 slg, 3 hr, 3 sb, and only 3 k's in 25 ab's. Ruggiano has had a history of striking out to much and 25 at bats does not make a season but what else can the kid do? I think he has thrown at least to runners out at the plate this spring as well.

lineup: Bartlett, Crawford, Longoria, Pena, Zobrist, Upton, Rodriguez, Shoppach, Joyce