sportsfanatic

The Tampa Bay Rays have made it evident that they are serious about the 2009 season. In the off season, they have raised their payroll for 2009 to $60 million. Though this number pales in comparison to that of the Boston Red Sox who will be at $135 million or the New York Yankees who will be at $205 million, I think that the Rays have ensured their place in the top 3 for 2009.

In 2008, the opening day salary of the Rays was at $24 million, so this increase is going to be 2.5 times higher. With that said, I do not think that they will be 2.5 times better. However, I do think that they will be better. The addition of Pat Burrell alone betters the team, but that is just a drop in the bucket. Players like B.J. Upton and Ryan Longoria now having a year under their belt and having the playoff experience makes them better players. The emergance of David Price gives the Rays a pitcher that they did not know that they had. The maturity of James Shields is going to be huge.

All in all, if the Yankees and Red Sox do not think that the Florida team is for real, they need to think again.

Bobby Bowden did not have to “Ponder” long to know that he wanted to patrol the sidelines. He has signed to return to the sidelines for his 34th season. This is exciting news for the Florida State University Seminoles and their fans and alumni. The 2009 season has much promise as it stands.

Even though there have been issues over the last few years, I am glad to see the return of Bobby Bowden. I would like to see him be able to go out a winner and this upcoming season might just be able to bring that to Bowden. For the first time in some time, I am excited about our quarterback.

With names like Manny Ramirez, Garret Anderson, Orlando Hudson, Adam Dunn, Jason Varitek, Frank Thomas, Ivan Rodriguez, Nomar Garciaparra, Bobby Abreu, and Ken Griffey Jr. still without a team, the market is rich. Many teams would love to have these players, even if it were for but a year. The problem that I see so far is that many teams are just not willing to pay the price for these players. With that being the case, what happens to them?

Well, personally, I think that some of these guys have some good years left in them. Some can anchor a bench and be an opposing stick when called upon. Then there are some that it is just time to go out to pasture. With that said, the last thought is the one that none of the players what to hear or consider. Ultimately, they either fade away or they take lower income. The time has come to decide if you still want to play ball and make some money or sit and wait till someone will pay you the big money.

I have been associated with sports for as long as I can remember. However, for that span of 35+ years, I do not believe that I have ever witnessed a story like the one that is presented in this video. This video goes to show you that just because a person is not considered “normal” or is tagged a “special needs” person does not mean that they can not contribute. After watching this video, I am wondering if this coach would have loved to have this player on the floor the entire season as opposed to on the bench. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

When the Atlanta Braves have their first full team workout in three weeks, the outfield will still be on the drawing board. With Josh Anderson, Gregor Blanco, Matt Diaz, Jeff Francoeur, Greg Norton, and Brandon Jones all set to attend spring training, it makes for a packed house already. Then add in the non-roster invitees of Jason Heyward and Jordan Schafer, and crowded just does not explain the issue. Then again, do not forget about the versitle Omar Infante who weilded a strong bat and played in the outfiled some in 2008. As for Heyward, I personally think he is only here to see how the big league boys of summer do it. With that said, Scafer could actually be another story. He actually has an outside chance to make the team out of spring training.

Now, let’s throw a monkey wrench into this whole situation. Frank Wren is not done spending and their are some great names out there that can help the Braves. The Yankess have Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady and have stated that both are expendable. Swisher might be the better choice due to the fact that Nady goes free agent after the season. Then there is the case of Adam Dunn. Not great in the outfield, but what a bat. Forty plus home runs in the last 5 seasons will keep the price tag up there, but not out of reach. This could really give the Braves the fearful bat that they need to protect Chipper and get McCann some better pitches to see. Let’s not forget about Bobby Abreu either. he has yet to sign with a team and though he does not have the Dunn power, he is a better defensive player.

Then there is the option to put Matin Prado at second and move Kelly Johnson to left field. Personally, I do not think that this is a bad choice. Martin sure has proved himself and he is already on the payroll. Kelly can bring 20 pops a year with his bat, so it would be viable. Then, there is still another option that has been lingering around. That would be that of Anruw Jones. As much as the fan in me says yes, the cynic in me says no. Schafer, Anderson, and Blanco are great defensively and actually have a better upsign on the offensive production that Jones does. But, nonetheless, it is an interesting thought.

Is the economy affecting free agency?, On one hand, when you look at CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Mark Teixeira, Casey Blake, Milton Bradley, Ryan Dempster, Brian Fuentes, Rafael Furcal, Raul Ibanez, Kenshin Kawakami, Derek Lowe, Damaso Marte, Jamie Moyer, Edgar Renteria, Juan Rivera, Francisco Rodriguez, Koji Uehara, Kerry Wood, and Pat Burrell, you would think not. But, then again, on the other hand, if you were to look at the 93 players that are still listed as a free agent.

The first list of players signed double digit million dollar contracts. There are several other players that have signed, but their contracts are smaller. So, it presents the question again. is the economy affecting free agency?

In my opinion, I think that the economy is playing a role in the free agency market. I am wondering now how many of these free agents could have accepted arbitration and been able to rest easier?

Two weeks have past since the Tampa Bay Rays signed Pat Burrell away from the Philadelphia Phillies. The signing of Burrell now gives the Rays a true power bat in the middle of the lineup to compliment Evan Longoria and Carlos Pena. It appears that Burrell will take on the role of DH, but can play in the outfield if needed.

With the signing of Burrell, this also solidifies the Rays commitment to being a contender in the American League. Burrell will come in handy when the Rays face teams like the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees as both of them have beefed up their pitching staffs.

It is no surprise that Larry “Chipper” Jones wants to finish out his career as an Atlanta Brave. He really does not know anything else. Chipper was acquired by the Atlanta Braves in the 1990 First-Year Player Draft. Ultimately, it is not up to Chipper as to whether or not he will stay in Atlanta as a Brave or not. Those cards are held by Manager Bobby Cox and General Manager Frank Wren. At this point, I can not see a reason of why they would even consider getting rid of the All*Star 3rd baseman, especially after the bat he swung in 2008.

With that said, we can look back on the careers of Dale Murphy and Phil Niekro and see that what the player wants does not matter. I think that as long as Chipper is productive and can lead the team, then in my estimation he will remain an Atlanta Brave. I do not think that salary will get in the way of him continuing to be a brave either.

When the Atlanta Braves open their Spring Training Camp just outside Orlando, Florida in the spring, there will be a lot of young faces around. This will be going on in a lot of the camps as well. The thing is, does this help or hurt the team and does this help or hurt the players? Well, frankly, it can go either way. It is really based on the reason that they are doing this. So, let’s take a look at the Atlanta Braves.

The Braves will be inviting 5 non roster high prospects up this spring. While there will be more non roster invitees, these are the five that I want to talk about. They are Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman, Tommy Hanson, Jordan Schafer, and Kris Medlen. Now, with this list, there are only 2 that really have a shot at making the team. It is truly an outside shot, but still a shot nonetheless. Those 2 players are Jordan Schafer who will be competing for the center field position that is currently void for the Braves outfield and Tommy Hanson, who by far is the best pitching prospect in the Braves farm system.

Freddie Freeman is a 6′5″ 220 lb first baseman that possesses a ton of power. Jason Heyward is a 6′4″ 230 lb right fielder that also possesses a ton of power. Another thing that these 2 have in common is the fact that they are only 19 years old. It is thought that the only reason that they are seeing spring training with the big boys is to get a taste of how things are done on the major league level. Heyward is the #3 prospect overall in the MLB and it is thought that he will have a fast track to the majors. I think that Freeman will be right the with him.

As for Kris Medlan, I think that he is there to get the taste of things to come. Personally, I think that he is 2 or 3 years out before his time comes. However, I think that Hanson will see the majors this year. Whether it is right out of camp or not remains to be seem.

Lane Kiffin wasted no time getting to his duties as the University of Tennessee Volunteers head football coach. His first job was to recruit and that is just what he has been doing. Lane has been all over the place recruiting. The funny thing is, he is recruiting people that is older than he is. His first task in recruiting was to line up his coaches. Kiffin has brought in his father to head up the defense and that stands to bode well for the Vols.

On the player side of things, Lane has not been coming up short there yet either. Lane has proved that he can get out and recruit with the big boys of the SEC and it will be interesting to see what players actually sign the letter of intent for a chance to play for the Kiffin and Kiffin show.