Unfortunately the most likeable team in the AL East will be lucky to finish higher than third in the baseball’s best division in 2011. The departure of Carl Crawford and the lack of a dominant rotation will hurt the Rays the most and although Joe Maddon’s club will undoubtedly be competitive, I would be surprised to see them reclaim the AL East Division crown.
No. 8 Tampa Bay Rays
Projected Rotation
- David Price-LHP
- James Shields-RHP
- Jeff Niemann-RHP
- Wade Davis-RHP
Evan Longoria // Photo: beat.bodog.com
- Jeremy Hellickson-RHP
Projected Bullpen
- Kyle Farnsworth-RHP
- Joel Peralta-RHP
- Adam Russell-RHP
- Andy Sonnanstine-RHP
- Cory Wade-RHP
- Jake McGee-LHP
- Juan Cruz-RHP
Projected Lineup
- C John Jaso
- LF Johnny Damon
- 3B Evan Longoria
- DH Manny Ramirez
- RF Matt Joyce
- 2B Ben Zobrist
- 1B Dan Johnson
- CF BJ Upton
- SS Redi Brignac
Analysis
Joe Maddon is one of baseball’s best adjustment managers and because of that the Rays’ lineup could drastically change between now and opening day. However, this is the most practical I could put together at the moment.
One of the few sure things is that Manny will undoubtedly be the club’s designated hitter, and Longoria will bat 3rd. It’s yet to be known how much is left in the tank for Manny and Johnny Damon alike but there is no doubt that they help complement a very solid group of Rays hitters.
Jaso, Joyce, and Zobrist were all very effective for Tampa last season and will only get better in 2011. BJ Upton is yet to live up to all of his expectations but he’s made steady progress in each of his major league seasons. Upton has some big shoes to fill as the heir apparent to Carl Crawford, who was the glue that held this Rays lineup together for so many years. Upton will be the make or break player for the Rays offensively, if he can grow into the all-star center fielder they drafted him to be then the Rays may have a shot at this thing. If not, then it will be a disappointing third place finish, as the Rays don’t have the bats to slug with the Red Sox and Yankees for a full season.
David Price // Photo: eworldpost.com
Where the Rays continue to fall short against their division rivals in their rotation. Don’t get me wrong David Price will again compete for a Cy Young, and Jeremy Hellickson was named the minor league pitcher of the year by a lot of publications, but everyone else had ERAs above four last season. For the Rays to remain in the thick of things Hellickson will have to be the real deal, as well as Niemann, Shields, and Davis stepping up and taking it to the next level. Those were the arms that lost it for the Rays in the playoffs against Texas last year, and if they want to even think about getting back there those guys will have to put it together for a full season first.
The questions continue with the bullpen where seven of eight of the most used relievers from last season are now with different clubs. The Rays are a team that knows how to improve from within and the organization is pleased with the new guys they brought in.
Farnsworth and his 27 saves over the past five years will be the Rays closer, for now. The closer by committee approach will probably be employed several times throughout the summer, and the final four spots in the bullpen are yet to be determined with a few weeks left in spring training.
Like every other team in the last few rankings the Rays have the potential to make me look terrible, and like every other small-market fan I hope they do. It sickens me that in my own countdown I have the two evil empires of the Yankees and Red Sox ranked higher than a likeable bunch of guys like the Tampa Bay Rays.
Joe Maddon’s boys have the chance to repeat in the east and fight the evil of New York and Boston but the odds are against them to do so. Ranking them here at number eight, as painful of a pill as it is for me to swallow.
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