The first real surprise of the balloting as Tampa Bay takes another position, LF. But who has the 2008 AL East's top CF situation?
| BAL (Payton) |  0 (0.00%) |
| BOS (Ellsbury/Crisp) | 3 (2.83%) |
| NYY (Cabrera/Damon) | 1 (0.94%) |
| TB (Upton/Gomes) | 5 (4.72%) |
| TOR (Wells) | 97 (91.51%) |
Seriously, I think Vernon's the man.
Upton's .386 OBP/.508 SLG last season was great. In another season he could be a giant among CFs.
Does Gomes ever really play CF? I think Baldelli is actually the Rays' other CF option.
Does Gomes ever really play CF?
Well, according to BBRef, he never has, so you're probably right. But he is listed behind Upton and ahead of Baldelli in CF at the ESPN.com Ray depth chart. That's the source being used to build these polls.
Whoops?
Upton will roar by Wells, but not this year.
This is the year we NEED Wells - if he does not play - both offensively and defensively like a star we're done for. I've been doing line-ups and I have Wells hitting 7th or 8th to start the season. While his operation fixed his shoulder the Doctor had to leave the cysts, as they were too near a nerve - I've got a horrible feeling we may be holding a very expensive, long term contract on a number 8 or 9 hitter. My fears HAVE TO be unfounded or - shudder.
Wells has my vote by a long shot. The first Jay I've voted for so I'm not being a homer!
MyLegacy, based on comments by Gibbons, I think you'll see Wells near the top of the order. Gibbons has said he doesn't want Rios' or Wells' speed blocked by batting behind Thomas or Glaus. My prediction is Eckstein, Wells, Rios, Thomas, Glaus, Overbay, Hill, Stairs, and Zaun against righties. I personally would like to see Overbay hit 2nd or 3rd to get a left-handed hitter in there to break up the righties, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen.
I'm not worried about the cyst. According to reports the cyst has always been there and hasn't affected Wells. It's the torn labrum that was the problem, and it has been fixed. A career average .809 OPS is in the cards for Wells this year as he regains his strength and stroke, followed by a couple of 2003/2006 .900-ish OPS seasons during his prime power years. You heard it here first.
Jacoby is a lame first name though.