The Dismanting of the 2008 AL Champion Rays Continues: Akinori Iwamura Traded

As Tampa Bay Rays followers, we knew it wouldn't be long. As the Yankees close in our their latest purchase of another World Series, there's a stark realization that Tampa Bay fans must face. For the Rays to be able to compete in the high priced American League East and remain financially viable, the Rays must be smarter than the Yankees and Red Sox brass. Brian Cashman, GM for the Yankees, may win Executive of the Year, but folks, give me $500 million to spend on three players, I could win the award. True skill is being able to identify which assets of your team you can do without and projecting where young players may be in a year or two. Rays Vice President Andrew Friedman displayed that skill when he traded Delmon Young and another prospect for Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett, the final two pieces that got the Rays over the proverbial hump and pushed them into contention. As the team matures, it's to be expected that the Rays won't be able to retain some of the players that brought the AL ... (link)