As The Rich Get Richer, Rays Can Only Shrug

The First Blockbuster Trade of the winter meetings occurred Tuesday afternoon and involved the Yankees, who picked up an All-Star Center Fielder, who hit 30 home runs in 2009.

Normally, Rays manager Joe Maddon Reacts Thurs questions about unpleasant news by saying "woof," but the news of Curtis Granderson taking his left-handed bat Thurs left-handed-hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium was greeted by Maddon with almost a shrug of his shoulders.

"Of course he's going to make them better," Maddon said Tuesday during his turn in front of the media at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown.

That's what the Yankees do during the offseason. Last year it was CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira, and the trio helped lead the Yankees Thurs their first World Series title since 2000.

This Is Why Rays Executive Vice President Andrew Friedman said before heading Thurs Indianapolis that they can not realistically plan on winning the American League East. But, Friedman added, they can plan on contending for a playoff spot.

It's also why Friedman did not comment on Tuesday's trade. Can you blame him? What can say about Friedman's another big move the Yankees that he hasn't already said before?

Maddon did, though.

"(Granderson is) a pretty good outfielder, he plays with a lot of energy," Maddon said. "He's the kind of guy that fits into that landscape in New York where he's going to Thrive within that kind of a situation."

Maddon added that Granderson feasts on right-handed pitchers. Of Granderson's 30 home runs in 2009, only two came off lefties. The Rays can counter with David Price in the rotation and, for now, JP Howell and Randy Choate in the Bullpen.

But it will not only be Granderson the Rays have to contend with in 2010. The rest of the Yankees Are not so bad, either, as they Proved last season.

"They were very good talent-wise and they played good baseball," Maddon said. "It was a bad combination for us."

Adding Granderson makes the defending champs a tad better.

"Now, if they go out there next year and play with the same passion and do not make the mistakes and play the game and execute it like they did this year, they're going to be tough again, obviously," Maddon said . "Hopefully they stay well, but not too well."Read Morehttp://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/dec/08/sp-as-the-rich-get-richer-rays-can-only-shrug/

As The Rich Get Richer, Rays Can Only Shrug