Rays Rotation. Not what anyone expected.

I can't speak on Hammel but with Dukes and Delmon Young gone, someone has to supply the club with the sticky, task must of fallen to E-Jack.

ArmchairGm: Where Being A Rays Fan Happens!

What kind of Rays fan are you... Oh, the kind that lives in the past I see...

Edwin Jackson has the proverbial "electric stuff". He has an overpowering fastball with movement and decent breaking pitches. His problem has been consistency. He has moments of brilliance - (trivia - who threw TB's only complete game shutout last year?)

Don't blame his record last year on his effort. Dude had severe bad luck. He's all of 24 years old and is still getting better

Sonnastine is not bad. He's a smart pitcher who relies on location and is a good fit with the rest of the staff. He got better as the season wore on last year and should provide many innings for a team that has traditionally had a weak 'pen. They've overhauled the whole unit. I think you'll see the 'pen as a strength this year - meaning: You won't turn your TV off after the 6th inning anymore.

Hammel is good enough to be a five and will no doubt go to the 'pen when Kaz returns.

But even without Kaz, Shields and Garza are two very, very good pitchers that could be 1's on other squads. Like Troy Percival's shirt says...

And it won't be long before it's Price, Kazmir, Shields, Garza and Jackson... and the Rays will have the most fearsome starting 5 in the game.

What are you fretting about? This isn't your older brother's Tampa Bay Rays anymore...

I still see the Rays doing very well, even with Edwin Jackson and Jason Hammel. Also, you can't focus on stats from just one year. That's not how you should judge a player. Why do you think there are a lot of busts when players are in their sophomore year in the Bigs? Vice versa happens as well. Sometimes, you don't do as well, but you end up bouncing back. Kinda like BJ Upton... and kinda like Dioner Navarro will do this year.

I protest all references to the Rays, they are and always will be the Devil Rays.

No Neimann?

The Rays and Maddon know what they are doing. I will not can not question their decision on this matter. With all the youngsters getting more seasoning in the minors it should allow the Rays to be better right now as opposed to in two/three months. It will all benefit both the franchise and the players in the long run. Beneficiality for all is the goal here (with the exception of Longoria's pockets)...

Edwin Jackson is in his 8th season of professional baseball and still only 24 like Manny mentioned so this could be his breakthrough season.

Jackson has had plenty of time to grow up and have the proverbial 'light bulb' turn on. Niemann deserves a shot and will probably get it after Nuke start 0-5 again. He's got good stuff. It seemed like every game I went to last season fell on his starts. It just seems like he gets rattled and mentally can't get it done.