AL East Round Up: Numbers Edition

Tamp Bay Rays

“Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?”- Queen

It’s hard to believe it, but Joe Maddon‘s Rays have come back down to Earth this season.

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

They’ve suffered through injuries and…wait…so has every team. They’re normal? Huh. Who would’ve guessed it? The Rays currently sit 14 games back of the Orioles with an elimination number of 7. They are 10 games back of the Wild Card with an elimination number of 11. So, it should come as no surprise that their playoff probability is 0.0%. That’s right all you small market hopefuls. they have no chance. The math says so.

Speaking of small market, here’s a number for you, the Rays are operating with a 2014 payroll of $77, 062, 891. Who is costing the that extra dollar? Anyway, this payroll is good for 28th in baseball. Only Miami and Houston have a smaller payroll. That just tells us Blue Jays fans that there is an argument to be made for NOT spending money to compete. Thanks a lot, Tampa Bay.

In case you are wondering, the most expensive player, Evan Longoria will be around for a while. His contract numbers: He signed a 15 (!) year $144.5M contract. There is a team option in the year 2023, if one can even think that far ahead. The possibility of him being a free agent doesn’t even come up for 9 more seasons. That is just cray cray…or genius.

Another number: since the beginning of 2008 (7 seasons), the Rays have accumulated 619 wins.