Rays Extend Wade Davis

Again, check the facts, not the theory. The Rays won with only 2 first round picks making significant contributions in 2008. Of course it was important to have those picks, but hardly the single important factor. Their starters at catcher, shortstop and RF came via trade. Their second baseman and DH were acquired as free agents. Their left fielder was a second round draft pick and the first baseman was picked up off the scrapheap. The bench was also entirely acquired the same way, most importantly Hinske, Aybar and Zobrist, none of whom started in the Rays’ organization.

The same is true of the pitching staff. In the rotation, 3 were received in trades and the other two were a 13th and 16th round pick. The bullpen, until Price arrived in mid-September, was entirely made up from trades and free agent signings.

2010 relied more on first round picks with 2 pitchers and 2 regulars acquired that way. But again, it was a combination of intelligent deals and a creative development structure that led to success. And all that had to be developed in a system built to contend, not just to acquire the talent, and then organized by a staff that knew how to use them. I suggest you read Keri’s book, “The Extra 2%” to get a more realistic understanding of how the Rays emerged as a contending ball club.

I give all the credit in the world to Boston and NY for using their financial muscle so effectively. But it is beyond naive to claim that TB is starting play on a level playing field or that the success of Boston and NY is entirely due to their extraordinary ability to find and develop talent despite low picks. They have done the job in different circumstances, and in circumstances that dramatically favor the behemoths, not TB. Even the fact that TB has so many picks this year is due to advanced planning, not to luck or having lost in years before, so if they amass great talent it will be to their credit to have prepared so well.