This is a tale about two baseball teams. Two teams that are quietly being the most intent on winding up in the World Series by the end of the season. Two teams that follow two totally different paths in two totally different leagues but contain the same exact drive in 2014 to go all-in and truly be the last team standing. These are their stories:
Tampa Bay Rays
Once upon a time this was the worst franchise in baseball, the least attended franchise in baseball, and the biggest joke in the league. Nowadays, they are just one of these three things, with the stadium situation still in dire straits. Nonetheless, the second the organization changed its colors, attitude, and method of competing it’s been nothing but resounding success especially considering the budget and being in the nastiest division in all of sports (I am sure the SEC will make a case but unlike the SEC the AL East has no terrible-looking team this season).
Since 2008 they have had one of the top 5 records in all of baseball, and remain one of only three franchises right now with a streak of at least six straight winning seasons. But they never get to keep their stars. When the younglings produce well, they sign bigger contracts elsewhere. When the unexpected players emerge as essential pieces, they also move. With the limited payroll, Tampa needs to pull miracles to hang on to their better players.
Before 2013 though, a change started emerging. The Rays were able to nab Evan Longoria for an extra 10 years, making him easily the first long-lasting player in the entire history of the franchise---as long as the Rays don’t trade him early in the contract. While it might seem absolutely insane to trade Longoria, the Rays have started becoming far more fearless in their wheeling and dealing.
Even if you produced, you are not safe. Alex Torres got moved to the Padres, Jose Lobaton got moved to the Nationals, and the Rays dropped fan favorites Sam Fuld, Fernando Rodney, Jeff Niemann, and Luke Scott. And what did they receive in return this off-season? Heath Bell, who once upon a time was among the best closers in the game, Ryan Hanigan, one of the more underrated catching talents in baseball, and Grant Balfour, the angry Aussie closer with lots of heart.
But its more than just the trading, it’s the fact that they kept nearly the entire team intact. David Price was not traded, James Loney got a nice deal, David Dejesus got to stay, they hung on to Jose Molina, and the entire coaching staff has been kept intact. The 2013 Rays team despite the injuries and inconsistency survived four straight elimination games and gave the Red Sox a very good fight in the ALDS. So keeping the same team, getting rid of the weaker pieces, and upgrading the lineup and the catcher position? This could be interesting.
The Rays in 2013 finally got rid of their personal demon (The Texas Rangers) and have proven time and time again that they can hang with the more popular Red Sox. Could this be the year that they finally get over the hump and return back to the World Series? Honestly, why not? They always survive the nastiest division, have knocked out the Sox several times before, and this time have an approach so aggressive that baseball expert circles are saying that the Rays are going “All in.” The GM, owner, and legendary manager Joe Maddon routinely deny this.
However: increased payroll, mostly-intact team, new stadium renovations, far more aggressive dealing, harsher releasing of players not producing, and a new wave of optimism coming from the rookie/sophomore class within the organization. Deny all you want, but the Rays are doing the Moneyball version of “All in,” as they have taken the low-budget approach and added some more budget to it.
This might be it. Arguably the best lineup in the history of the Rays is upon us and if all the pieces fit and all the wheels turn, who could possibly stop them?
Los Angeles Dodgers
Once upon a time, the Dodgers were a forgettable franchise that was a mere shadow of the past. The attendance was certainly still there, but the fanfare wasn’t as heavy, the anticipation wasn’t as rampant, and the name didn’t strike fear into the opponent like it did back in the 80s. And there was a horrible, horrible divorce happening in the upper office confides that was threatening to damage the team. In came Magic Johnson and a slew of his comrades and together they took the team and were taking in a new direction.
The New York Yankees direction. Spend heavy money, make heavy money, repeat process.
Say what you will about the Yankees, every once in a while you wish the ownership of your team has the passion of a Steinbrenner or a Magic Johnson. The Dodgers payroll essentially exploded, picking up huge contracts left and right. They practically bailed out the Boston Red Sox, the Miami Marlins, amongst other teams. Their spending has increased in the past couple years by over $400 million. This is a franchise under a mission to conquer the entire year.
With the free spending, they have assembled the best-looking team on paper. Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez, Zack Grienkie, Clayton Kershaw, and many other known figures scatter the lineup. Then there was the heavy bidding for Yasiel Puig from Cuba, which has paid off magnificently, and Hyun-Jin Ryu from South Korea---both of them ultimately increasing exposure of baseball in their native countries. The Dodgers are emerging once again as one of the most popular teams in baseball.
But this season, the spending continues with smaller pieces. They took in several veterans to one-year deals to add even more depth to a team that has 4 quality outfielders. The Yankees can barely hold one decent outfielder. Their starting rotation is not just among the richest in baseball, it’s one of the deepest in the entire league. If baseball was a world war, then Dodger Nation would be the one with the deadliest arsenal by far…and the one other nations would fear when the dust settles.
The Dodgers bring more to the table than anybody else. More spending than the Phillies and Nationals, more depth than the Pirates and Cardinals, and an edge of competitive determination that separates those that win from those that just compete. 2014 Los Angeles Dodgers look legit.
And this is why this season will be giving us a Tampa Bay Rays/Los Angeles Dodgers World Series.
Only time will tell how these two tales will conclude.
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