"Call your boy, oh what's his name?"
I seem to get these calls everyday. Since off season had begun, my life really goes into a turmoil of boredom and occupying time with obscure activities.
"Oh yeah, that dude, I will hit him up," he cried and hung up.
Typical. Hunger set in and we went down to La Tropicana in Ybor to get a Palomilla sandwich. They were fire and I liked the interior of the joint. Strawberry swore up and down it was a mafia's family place, which I never protested about nor ever asked. You learn some questions are best kept between the person you trust the most...yourself.
We sat down with our sandwiches and I saw Bay News Nine talk about something the Rays were doing. Amazing to think they even acknowledged their existence.
"This sandwich is so good," Strawberry moaned with delight.
The Rays had been busy at the winter meetings in Orlando. They already snagged an IF utility guy in Joey Wendle from The Oakland A's. I'd never heard of the guy until the trade. They'll give them a player to be named or a bucket of ice. Perhaps he could surge in a Rays uniform? They say this is a "small move" but I entirely disagree. This signals something a lot greater than that, it clearly marks the end of the Brad Miller era. No disrespect towards Brad but the dude cannot play the IF worth a damn, has no range and is being overpaid (4.4 million or something along those lines). Ironically, if you look at Wendle, he is almost a Brad Miller prototype. Hits from the left side of the plate and has little range at 2B. Remember when they demoted Brad Miller from SS to 2B in 16' then went on to crush a bunch of homers? Hopefully that won't be necessary for ole' Wendle to be a doubles machine at Tropicana Field. I'd take a Dickerson and Wendle combo for doubles then sprinkle in the speed of KK and Mallex. Can you imagine if the front office targets more speed on the bases? I like that move actually because I've lost all faith in Brad Miller. Trade bait?
"Do you want me to get a coffee baby?" I asked Strawberry.
"Do I?!" she laughed.
Rumors were all over the place of an imminent trade of Alex Colome, Chris Archer or Evan Longoria. I cannot even fathom the idea of the Rays without Longo. Needless to say, the front office got more inclined and snagged Ryan Schimpf from The San Diego Padres. Actually, this move makes a lot of sense. The Rays gave up minor leaguer Deion Tansel. Being the queer I am, I've always liked Schimpf. I saw him when the Rays hosted San Diego back in 16' and saw a nice little core they had and felt he had something special about him. Apparently 67.4% of his hits goes for extra bases and he is power from the left side of the plate. Again signalling they are giving up on some people on the roster thus far. Schimpf could be a nice addition to the IF that looks like it'll be evenly balanced...let's project Longo/Hech/Ramos/Sucre from the right side of the plate and Bauers/Schimpf/Wendle from the left side. Again, I'm an advocate of keeping Lomo long term (cannot believe I'm saying it but he really has a home with The Rays). Bauers and that sexy smooth swing is coming this year no doubt but then there's also Willy in the wings. I read something that if Longo were to be traded, Matt Duffy will be our starting 3B. MATT WHO?? Chico PLEASE!!!! Front office is really going out there for insurance. Back to the IF though...let's go with Longo, Hech, Willy, Bauers, D-Rob and Ramos anchoring home plate. I like the sound of that! Brad Miller trade is imminent...
"Those sandwiches are fire!" Strawberry declared.
"Yes they were my love, yes they were..."
We went home and made love.
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