Introducing Florida Baseball

Florida low payroll baseball is the way to go these days. Lets start with the Tampa Bay Rays. Yes folks, get it right, it is no longer the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. They have shed a new coat and losing is not a part of their new look. As you notice the highly competitive AL East standings after tonight's action you don't see a familiar sight. Its not the Yankees or the Red Sox in first. It is not the surging Blue Jays with maybe the best pitching staff in baseball thats #1. Your first place team is none other than your Rays. Let's talk about why this team has restored order to those who attend their games at Tropicana Field. And yes this OJ is fresh. This Rays team has depth at every position. The outfield consists of a consistent Carl Crawford, an up and coming BJ Upton and a veteran in Eric Hinske in right. Even their backups are legit. They have Cliff Floyd to come in and turn on pitches and send them over the right field wall. Then we have Johnny Gomes and Rocco Baldelli riding the pine ready to contribute. Their infield is really turning into something special as well. Along with one of my potential Rookie of the Year candidates Evan Longoria-Parker making a move, the infield is holding strong. The real difference as usual in baseball is pitching. More importantly a ferocious player and Fontana, CA local you know as Troy Percival. As a member of the Orange County Angels he brought fear to hitters when they approached the plate. Percival has inspired these young Ray's pitchers to become major leaguers. We at the sportstoilet know some growing pains will come down the road in the season but for once its nice to see those Tampa kids atop those standings...More to come from JAR live at the game tomorrow.





Over in what we know as the National League/Pitchers bat division the Florida Marlins are quietly standing atop the NL East. Lets start by saying the Fish made one of the best moves in baseball over the last 6 months by re-signing Hanley Ramirez for a 7 year deal at 70 million. Mark it down SportsToilet readers, this move was brilliant.The Florida Marlins always seem to bring in the right veterans to play with their always abundant group of youngsters. Chemistry is everything in sports and the Marlins seem to always have the right medication. Dan Uggla for instance. This guy was part of the Rule 5 draft and taken by the Arizona Diamondbacks in round 400. The Marlins loved the kid so they offered Arizona 50 grand for his rights and signed him. Good move to say the least.With young pitchers like Anibal Snachez, Sergio Mitre, Scott Olsen and two sport athlete Mark Hendrickson, this team will be in the race come October. We also seem to forget how the Fish traded their superstars Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis just this past December. I think the Marlins won that trade with these youngsters that they acquired building a foundation for Marlin baseball for years to come. Look for Cameron Maybin to be called up in the near future and really make an impact when they call his number. Also look for the Fish to add a veteran power hitter come trade deadline to make a push for the pennant or the wildcard.