Video: Matt Moore Makes His Major-League Debut

The Beach Bucket

VIDEO: Matt Moore, Andrew Friedman Talk To Media About Moore's Contract

In case you missed it, the Tampa Bay Rays signed their top prospect, Matt Moore, to an amazing and likely team-friendly contract that makes the young pitcher an early millionaire, while also securing a potential star for the Rays for years to come.

Marc Topkin of the St. Pete Times has video from Friday's press conference:

Also, in a separate article, Topkin relates this dandy little infobox:

Signed up

Matt Moore is the fifth current Ray signed to a long-term deal:

3B Evan Longoria:
Guaranteed: $17.5 million, 6 years.
Max: $44 million, 9 years

RHP James Shields:
Guaranteed: $11.25 million, 4 years.
Max: $38 million, 7 years

LHP Matt Moore:
Guaranteed: $14 million, 5 years.
Max: $40 million, 8 years

RHP Wade Davis:
Guaranteed: $12.6 million, 4 years.
Max: $35.1 million, 7 years

2B Ben Zobrist:
Guaranteed: $18 million, 4 years.
Max: $30 million, 6 years

Those are the team-friendly extensions and contracts the team has finagled over the last few years. Few other teams have been able to muster such contract mastery.

Kudos to the Rays for securing a player Yankees and Red Sox fans will hate for years to come.

Dec 12 7:37a

Article

Video: Matt Moore Makes His Debut, Rays Lose To Orioles 6-2

Well, that series didn't go quite as planned for the Rays. After coming off a sweep of the Boston Red Sox last weekend that moved them as close as 3 games back in the Wild Card, the Rays (82-66) faltered against the Orioles (60-88), dropping the final two games of the series.

Last night's loss was particularly disappointing, as the Rays simply couldn't hit Jeremy Guthrie. After taking a 2-1 lead in the top of the third off a Matt Joyce double, the Rays handed the lead right back to the Orioles in the bottom of the inning. Wade Davis wasn't his sharpest, and in the third, he allowed a three-run home run to first baseman Chris Davis. The Rays wouldn't score again for the rest of the night.

But in the disappointing mess that was last night's game, there was a glimmer of something special: pitching prospect Matt Moore made his major league debut. His final line may not look pretty -- 1.1 innings pitched, three hits, two runs, one homer -- but watching him throw was a treat. Moore is the best pitching prospect in baseball right now -- #3 prospect overall -- and he was hitting 96-98 MPH last night with a windup that looked like he was playing catch. His changeup was nasty and he spotted his fastball well for the most part, but his mistake came on leaving a fastball over the plate to hotter-than-hot, "I eat lefties for lunch" Matt Wieters.

Here's a postgame interview with Moore, courtesy of Marc Topkin from the St. Petersburg Times:

And here's a video of his debut:

The Rays now face an uphill battle, as they must at least take 3 of 4 from the Red Sox this weekend in order to stay somewhat alive in the Wild Card race. Although the Red Sox do have to face the Orioles seven more times this season, and if they're as tough on them as they were on the Rays, it may give the Rays a fighting chance.

Sep 15 8:08a by Steve Slowinski

Original Story

David Price, J.P. Howell Face One Batter Too Many; Rays Lose 4-2

The Rays (82-65) led late, but could not hold their tenuous 2-1 lead, falling to the Baltimore Orioles (59-88) and falling to 4.0 games back in the Wild Card race. Unfortunately, the Rays starter David Price and reliever J.P. Howell (L, 2-3) each saw just one batter too many.

The Rays took a 2-1 lead in the sixth when Evan Longoria smacked a homer to left. And though David Price was looking strong, it felt obvious the Rays needed more offense to secure a win.

Price started the day well, allowing only 1 unearned run through 6 and 2/3 innings, striking out 6 and walking 3. But with Nolan Reimold on second base, pinch hitter Jake Fox powered a cutter to the left field gap, tying the game at 2-2 with a double.

Then, in the 7th, J.P. Howell came into the game in relief of Juan Cruz. Howell got two deep fly outs to start the inning, but then walked Vladimir Guerrero. This brought up the switch-hitting catcher Matt Wieters, who was sporting a 1.071 OPS against left-handed pitcher in 2011. Wieters then smacked a crushing homer to left, giving the Orioles the crucial 4-2 lead. Brandon Gomes then came in to close out the inning for Howell.

Just like that, the Rays had essentially lost the game. After a short top of the 9th, the Rays were back to 4 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card race.

Notes:

In the bottom of the 5th, Desmond Jennings made a stand-up-and-shout-at-your-television catch, sprinting into the left field wall as he snagged a liner from Robert Andino.
B.J. Upton continues to play well, going 1 for 4 with a walk and 2 steals. Evan Longoria also hit well, knocking the aforementioned homer as well as an early-game double. Altogether, though, the offense combined for 11 Ks and just 2 BBs.
J.P. Howell now has an ERA over 6.00 this year and seems to be struggling mightily with his command. Having missed over a year with his recent injury, he is basically getting undergoing on-the-job Spring Training. Hopefully he can sort out his issues quickly and return to his previous late-inning dominance.

Sep 13 11:46p by Bradley Woodrum