As compared to 2012 stats. That's why it's potential...

Jennings---.246
Escobar----.253
Zobrist-----.270
Longoria---.289
Joyce-------.241
Loney-------.249
Molina------.223
Roberts-----.235
Fuld---------.255

Average----.251

In 2012, the team batted .240. Good for 27th place.

A potential .251 BA would have placed the Rays last year in 17th place.

Sure, there are a bunch of variables in those calculations but it seems that right now, the Rays are in a slightly better position than last year.

Probably, the DH will make or break the stats.

I don't see an improved team with that line-up..Unless our pitching staff pitches a lot of shut outs...

If anything else, I believe this new year's team will be a lot more consistent......whether that's consistently good or bad, we'll have to see.

I personally think we have imrpoved. We might have lost some power, but we gained some contact, and a little more baseball knowledge from the guys we picked up.

It WOULD be nice to pick up one more bat....One that will DEFINITELY break camp with the team and be in the opening day lineup.....preferably at DH and batting right after Longo in the 4 spot.

The amazing thing is that most of those players had an off-year in 2012. As compared to their career averages.

So if they come close to what they can do, we might get by with a .240 hitting DH.

OK, who are we kidding...Rays have never had a .240 DH.

Again, pitching and defense seems to be the key. Regardless, it should be an interesting season. Could go both ways. Either, wowthat'saninterestingseason or darnthat'saninterestingseason.

I'm wondering also how the pitching will be just as good as last year..Does anyone think that Moore Helli and Archer or Niemann will take up a lot of inning slack?

Fausto. Don't forget about Fausto.

It worked for Goethe's kindred spirit.

Looks thin at pitching, doesn't it? Somehow, I tend to think that they will pick-up the slack. Here's why. Last season probably was one of the most infuriating season for any pitcher in the Rays rotation. Starters or relievers. How many times did we lose because a hitter could not do anything but strikeout. Or pop fly.

If they managed to retain their composure through all those frustrating games where they lost by one or two runs and lots of missed opportunities, knowing that they survived that inferno---they should be a lot more comfortable knowing that the team should hit better. That they would not need to carry the team for naught. For that, they are stronger this year. And I think their numbers will reflect that.

I think you're low on Escobar and Loney ... and I'm hoping that Jennings and Joyce will improve some over your numbers ... BUT ... going from .240 to .251 will be a B-I-G improvement.

(I think you're probably a little high on Molina ... and if they bring back Scott and Roberts to play everyday ... the offense will be back down to .240 or worse.)

You're shortchanging the potential offensive benefits that two solid .285 singles and doubles hitters ... Escobar and Loney ... and the elimination of 500 team strikeouts ... can bring!

The team needs what it hasn't had much of over the last four or five seasons ... SOLID MIDDLE-RELIEF ... guys that can go two ... or maybe even three ... innings when necessary ... and Hernandez should be able to do that ... AND ... Ramos (especially) and Gomes should be at the point where they can do it handily AND regularly.

If there's no good and consistent long-relief ... there could be a "pitching problem" ... and maybe a disappointing season.

I expect the middle relief to shape up, the Rays have had enormous success in rebuilding the bullpen every year and they will again, there are enough arms to find the right mix before it gets turned over to McGee, Peralta and Rodney.......I also see the offense being much more productive in 2013 with a healthy Longo leading the charge.....The additions of Escobar and Loney are going to surprise a lot of people, Fontenot will be a sleeper to watch and after Myers gets his feet wet in Durham in April he will be a major addition to the offense......Zobrist I am not worried about he will be fine....Jennings needs to come out of the gate strong and Joyce needs to learn to go to the opposite field....Put that all together and the Rays can have a very good offense.

I agree. And I definitely believe a lot of people are discounting the significant offensive effect that Escobar and Loney wil have ... and aren't even considering the possibilities that Myers might provide! My only real gripe at this point is Molina ... and the prospect that they might re-sign Roberts and Scott ... and ... if so ... that threesome will negate the immediate offensive benefits brought by Escobar and Loney ... and what Myers might bring down the road.

And, I'm looking for Gimenez to be a very pleasant surprise all around ... and I believe Odorizzi will be in the pitching mix somewhere!

Middle relief? I'm counting on Ramos and Gomes all the way ... with help from Hernandez if necessary (although I realize they signed him to be a starter).

(And ... I definitely wouldn't go bottom-fishing for some has-been or never-been DH ... including Scott.)

Strikeouts in 2012:

BJ Upton---169 in 573 AB
C Pena-----182 in 497 AB
D Jennings---120 in 505 AB
Matt Joyce---102 in 399 AB

So between Upton and Pena---351 SO in 1.070 AB. About a third of the ABs.

That's Rookie League stuff.

I agree about Giminez....I have touted him ever since Andrew got him from the Pirates......I can see him in the .270 range, plus the versatility hge brings being able tyo play 4 positions is part of how the Rays are built.

I won't get into the Roberts-Scott thing with you except to say, that from all reports, Scott is 100% healthy and he has been hitting the ball square to all fields and putting quite a few in the seats at the Trop during workouts.....If that does indeed turn out to be the case and they do bring Scott back, you just might have to admit you were wrong.....But let's see what develops this coming month first!

Scott could work. At a discount and incentives.

MLB average ISO in 2012 was .151.

With the year that he had, Scott's ISO was .210. For comparison, LaRoche .238.

Should be and Could be are just like "Maybe"...Heck I should win the Lottery this year..I could if the right numbers are drawn..I should if I play the darn thing..Maybe I will be rich this year...LOL

About Myers. Upon finding out that he was traded to the Rays, he went to celebrate with a girlfriend to The Varsity in Atlanta for burgers and most assuredly, fries and fried peach pie.

It's so comforting to know that this young man is a true believer in a healthy, natural, well-balanced diet.

Don't knock it....

But for the cow meat, he's practically a vegan.

If Scott is working out at Tropicana ... then the handwriting is on the wall ... they're going to re-sign him.

If he can have a whole season hitting like he hit last April ... then I'll admit that he surprised me offensively ... as a DH. HOWEVER ... aside from the 'damaged goods' element of his background that I think will have permanent after-effects ... the singular basis for my objection to him being on this team is that ... injuries aside ... he has NEVER demostrated any proficiency and effectiveness playing any position anywhere ... and I'm just opposed to a DH who can ONLY DH ... plus ... the guy is turning 35 in June! And ... like Molina ... age and diminished ability eliminates him as "a Rays' way" kind of player.

And ... I know his fans will say that he can play first base in a pinch ... BUT ... the guy has NEVER shown any real defensive ability at ANY position, first base or otherwise ... and ... over 798 games in which he's appeared ... he's only played first base in parts of 35 of them! Now ... if he was Mickey Mantle ... fine. DH only! But ... on this team ... with only 12 position players ... I wouldn't want to waste a roster spot on an older guy who can't play defense well ANYwhere on the field.

Plus ... overall ... in his eight seasons and 798 games ... he's hit only .260 ... with an average of something like 15 HRs and 48 RBIs per season. Definitely no great shakes!

Frankly, I'd prefer to take my chances with a DH-by-committee ... along with the belief that Gimenez ... who, as you've said, can defensively play multiple positions well ... will blossom into the kind of DH and VERSATILE player that EVERY team would want! A guy that can hit consistently ... AND ... play multiple positions ... well!

Having a guy like Scott around simply doesn't fit your "how the Rays are built" comment ... young players with excellent defensive skills, good foot-speed, good game know-how, and the talent and ability to play multiple roles and positions.

I'd ALWAYS prefer to take my chances with multi-talented, multi-faceted young guys ... and in this case ... I'd go with Gimenez at DH without any hesitation or second-thoughts whatsoever!

I too don't think another year of Scott will amount to any big change..And I'm not a fan of the DH in the first place..So getting a two way player with power by trade,FA or even from the farm to me is the way to go..If our young pitching is to get better they will need runs..Then watch their confidence soar if they don't have to feel its all on them to pitch shutouts or low run games to win..