We think that Cork Gaines' "Rays Index" is a terrific blog. We check it out every day. He keeps an eye on the minor league franchises, so we weren't too surprised to see Charlie Montoya's image in a post today.
What surprised us was why. Apparently Cork thinks it would be a good idea for the Rays to have a AAA franchise at the old Al Lang field in St. Petersburg. That would be ... the Bulls???
It's not clear if the idea is to bulldoze the Trop and offer the Bulls in compensation as the Rays move to ... Charlotte? Nashville? Memphis? San Antonio? Raleigh? Or to just have the teams close together.
But what about a swap? The Bulls move to Al Lang and the Rays move to the DBAP. At least we could probably fill the DBAP for them, for a while.
I guess I'll wait until it happens. If Sidd Finch is in the lineup as the starting pitcher for opening day, then I'll know we Bulls fans have been had.
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As I read it, his plan didn't really involve the Bulls. It looked like he was proposing the Rays sign a deal with another minor league team in the area to be the AAA team and move them to whatever spot would be appropriate there and leave the Bulls to up with someone else.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't make a ton of sense to me, but I can't say I would be too worked up. I like that the Bulls feed a team that develops young talent and lets them play in AAA, but I wouldn't mind too much if they ended up signing a deal with a different team.
Things have been slow this off-season. Thought I'd have a little fun. Used the Bulls hook because he used Montoya in a Bulls uniform as a picture. Like you, I'm becoming a Rays fan if only to keep on watching the guys who came through here. And they are a very well-run, fun team to watch when the Bulls aren't playing.
ReplyDeleteNot the first time Cork has brought this up. Part of the reason is because Durham to St. Pete is one of the longest trips in the AL.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the Rays can draw big enough in Raleigh. Maybe Charlotte.
Unrelated, but it looks like Patrick Kinas is the new voice of the Bulls...
ReplyDeleteI hadn't seen the Patrick Kinas thing, but if so, his highlight reel is here:
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7bbMyQNm6Q
For some reason, it looks like the Bulls just made it official today (or, at least announcing it on their facebook/twitter pages). Kinas was talking about it on his own twitter pages last week.
DeleteI don't know anything about him. The youtube video there isn't great, it isn't terrible either.
I think Bulls fans will enjoy Patrick's style and knowledge of the game. I've been familiar with his work since the 1990's when he was on local radio in Chicago. It was very entertaining to hear him and Neil S. broadcast a State men's basketball game together last November (the regular State team was busy with football). He also runs an annual camp for aspiring sportscasters (teens and up). You can catch him the rest of this winter on NC State women's basketball radio broadcasts.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear, I am definitely willing to give him a shot. He has big shoes to fill, though...
DeleteI do link this note from Stacy Long's blog:
Delete"In October 2001, [Kinas] also set a world record with 34 hours and 23 minutes of consecutive bowling."
Justin Ruggiano has been designated for assignment. Now we wait and see if he clears waivers (likely) and takes the assignment to Durham (less likely, but still a decent chance, in my opinion).
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the info on Kinas, will slip it into my next update.
ReplyDeleteLikewise on Rugg. Had not seen the DFA move. At this stage, I assume he can refuse the assignment and take free agency. I'd think he would. He was clearly not happy to be in Durham at the beginning of last year and (from a very great distance) didn't see all that happy when he came through on "rehab" late in the year. Too bad. I've always liked what he brought to the Bulls, but he never seemed to get a chance with the Rays.