03-22-2008, 03:51 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Pure Greatness
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 2,864
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Here is an update:
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A decision must be made on Evan Longoria in the near future. And all the Rays' top prospect has done this spring is play like a top prospect.
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Will he begin the season as the Rays' starting third baseman or will they send him to down to Triple-A Durham for seasoning?
From a business standpoint, if Longoria begins the season with the team, he'd likely be eligible for free agency following the 2013 season. Meanwhile, delaying his Major League debut until mid-April would delay his free agency until after the 2014 season.
It's a tough call for the Rays, particularly when they are trying to convince the world -- inside and outside of the clubhouse -- that winning is their primary goal.
"I don't know, man, that's just a sensitive topic right now," Rays left fielder Carl Crawford said. "So I don't really know the reaction that guys are going to have [if Longoria doesn't make the team] just yet.
"I know every day, every game he plays, we want him as a team, for sure. As the days go by, and every day we get to see him more, we want him on this team more and more. Certain situations, that's out of our control. We just have to wait and see what happens."
First baseman Carlos Pena conceded that "it's obvious how talented Longoria is" and "we all want him here, every single one of us."
"But we also understand that there is a process to his development, what is planned for him," Pena said. "... There also might be some business advantages that would go perfectly for him and his process. We understand that there are other things that are out of our control and Longoria's control.
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Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.
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