[kickenchicken]

maybe they are trying to get some bigger names in to try and improve ticket sales... sad when you have good teams that nobody comes to see play although alot of people in that area watch them on tv

[venice2222]

These guys will miss a combined 80 games.

[stevek173]

Wow

[hostile takeover]

seems to go against what Tampa has done the past few years.

Bad moves!

[newjerseydevils]

pretty ok pickups, not that great

[Jackson Hole]

I really dont see a downsize to these moves, they are both signed for relative cheap money. If the Rays are not in contention, they may be able to spin both players to a contender for prospects. I rather have both Damon and Ramirez for less money than Pena is going to make this year. The Rays weren't going to be able replace Crawford, no matter who they signed.

The Rays had a nice run over the past 3 years, but baseball economics has affected them. They really need to get a new ballpark if they are going to be able to compete with the Red Sox and Yankees.

[tcmoody99]

too bad they didnt ******* get em 3 years ago

[Stallion]

Manny is the DH, Damon plays left bench.

[jnickell100]

Manny still cant play......If he wants to. He has showed that, but thats the thing he is not really motivated to play for some reason. I think he will be a good pickup for the Rays, what are their other options??

[DwightShrute]

looks like Tampa is rebuilding. what an awful move

[d2bets]

Manny at 1 yr, 2 mil seems worth the gamble.

[tdog152]

both just a few years past their prime!!!

[OmgUrMom]

Manny still cant play......If he wants to. He has showed that, but thats the thing he is not really motivated to play for some reason. I think he will be a good pickup for the Rays, what are their other options??

manny may be well motivated, clearly he has lost a lot of respect around the league for his bat if he only got $2 mil. Now he has a chance to hurt the red sox and doesn't have to worry about playing the field.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if Manny had a good year, and at $2 mil you'd have to be crazy to say this is a bad pick-up, if they didn't get manny who was gonna be tampas DH with Pena gone? I'm sure he is a solid upgrade

[stevenash]

Just reported Tampa Bay Rays signed Manny and Johnny Damon.

Noodle arm and block head.

[815Sox]

Manny is done, didn't do shit for the White Sox last year. We have top 3 hitters park this year.

[Terrapin Station]

maybe they are trying to get some bigger names in to try and improve ticket sales... sad when you have good teams that nobody comes to see play although alot of people in that area watch them on tv

Exactly what I was thinking too...

[PokerJ]

get manny on the juice and its all good

[JMobile]

Damn, it's true.

Plus upton, zobrist, pena, etc...

Their whole pitching staff...

This should be a good team.

Pena and Garza are gone, both went to the Cubs.

Everybody should know that the Rays did not pick up Manny and Damon for a chance at the Playoffs.
This is pretty much a bullet hole patch for giving up Crawford, Pena, Garza. Manny and Damon are just popular players to the public where fans would PAY to see them. By July, fans will stop buying tickets and Damon will probably be trade bait for the remainder of his 1yr contract.
After Manny came back from the roids suspension, his numbers went to the norm. Manny will probably get 15hrs, if healthy.

[EXhoosier10]

I'm not sure why you all are hating on these signings. Manny cost only $2 mil and Damon $5mil. Do you really think that manny can't hit .270 with 15 HR's? I'm pretty sure that's worth well more than a $2mil salary. He's hit .300 against RHP the past two years and all his periphs have stayed above average since being suspended for PEDs. Maybe he's not worth those big contracts anymore, and he is probably nothing more than a DH, but he is well worth 2 million.

Damon might have a little more downside, but assuming he can hit a little better in the Trop instead of spacious Comerica, his numbers shouldn't decrease all that much.

Both these signings may seem like a stupid move because they are way past their prime, but that doesn't mean they aren't better than some minor leaguer who is going to hit .260 over a full season. I'd much rather have a relatively known commodity with such a young team than relying on another rookie to step in and produce.

[JMobile]

Manny is done. The only thing he has going for him is his "Manny just being Manny" gimmick which is worth $2 million.

[pimike]

I think this is what Rays need. Great deal.

[BigOrangeBrother]

The price was right for these two signings. Even if Manny & Damon are not able to produce the numbers the Rays need they can at least provide the maturity and leadership the team needs. Manny providing maturity!! What the hell am I thinking? LOL

[LChruscial85]

Definitely tryin to improve ticket sales...they're gonna need some more quality pitchers though with there offseason losses...you need to win to have fans too...even though the Rays were winning and still didn't......lol

[EXhoosier10]

Definitely tryin to improve ticket sales...they're gonna need some more quality pitchers though with there offseason losses...you need to win to have fans too...even though the Rays were winning and still didn't......lol

Johnny Damon has a clause in his contract for an extra $150,000 every time TB passes the following attendance marks (in millions): 1.75, 1.85. 1.95, 2.05, 2.15... (Courtesy of "Cot's Baseball Contracts"... mlbcontracts.blogspot)

I think these moves are all about getting more fans.

[biggamer3]

haha this is what they replaced Crawford with!

[scarp]

manny is a good player..... when his contract is about up

[pimike]

haha this is what they replaced Crawford with!

Crawford was leaving regardless. Two for one is fine with me. Rays will have a threat off the bench now.

Crawford was great however

[JMobile]

I think these moves are all about getting more fans.

That's what I've been saying....

[BigOrangeBrother]

They will definitely improve ticket sales!!

[Fishhead]

They will definitely improve ticket sales!!

The Trop will be soldout every game, for sure.

[EXhoosier10]

I'm wondering if they will go over the 2 1/4 million mark this year. That's only 27,000 a game and the Yankees and Red Sox will come close to selling out for 10 of them. It's gotta happen this year

[Snowball]

I think this is what Rays need. Great deal.

i couldn't agree more. buncha jokers in this thread.
i will add that having both Damon and Ramirez together is worth
double ++ what they are worth alone.. because they will feed off each other
mentally.. this is just what Manny needs, some inspiration to finish his career
on a high note. He still has a chance at the Hall. Don't blow it, Manny.

[EXhoosier10]

He still has a chance at the Hall. Don't blow it, Manny.

After his positive PED test, it will be interesting if he gets anywhere close to enough votes. ALthough I think manny is better than raffy, Palmeiro only got 11% on his first attempt. I'd guess there won't be too much love for Manny either

[Milanboy]

as a die hard tigers fan I would warn rays fans against getting their hopes up for damon. he's not what he used to be.

[815Sox]

meh