Spring training site
Port Charlotte, Fla.
2009 record
84-78, third in AL East
Manager
Joe Maddon, fifth season
New faces
RHP Rafael Soriano (trade, Braves), C Kelly Shoppach (trade, Indians), RHP Mike Ekstrom (waivers, Padres), RHP Joaquin Benoit (free agent, Rangers), 1B Dan Johnson (free agent, Japan)
Biggest offseason acquisition
The Rays have gone through closers like paper towels over the last few years, and traded for one of the better ones in the National League in Soriano, 30, who went 1-6 last season, but has stellar WHIP and strikeout numbers.
Gone but not forgotten
2B Akinori Iwamura (trade, to Pirates), OF Gabe Gross (not tendered, to A's), LHP Brian Shouse (free agent, to Red Sox), RHP Chad Bradford (free agent, not signed), RHP Russ Springer (free agent, not signed), C Gregg Zaun (free agent, to Brewers), C Michel Hernandez (free agent, to Orioles)
Best spring training battle
Right field has had many occupants for the Rays in the past couple of years, and this year may be no exception. If prospect Matt Joyce is deemed ready, he'll likely play most of the time, with Gabe Kapler getting his share of at-bats as well. And second baseman Ben Zobrist can play in right field, which would get at-bats to Reid Brignac or Sean Rodriguez.
Projected lineup
- SS Jason Bartlett
- LF Carl Crawford
- 3B Evan Longoria
- 1B Carlos Pena
- 2B Ben Zobrist
- CF B.J. Upton
- DH Pat Burrell
- RF Matt Joyce
- C Kelly Shoppach or Dioner Navarro (platoon)
Projected starting rotation
- RHP James Shields
- RHP Matt Garza
- RHP Jeff Niemann
- LHP David Price
- RHP Wade Davis or RHP Andy Sonnanstine
Projected bullpen
- RHP Rafael Soriano (closer)
- RHP Dan Wheeler
- LHP J.P. Howell
- RHP Grant Balfour
- RHP Lance Cormier
- LHP Randy Choate
- RHP Davis or Sonnanstine
Biggest strength
Evan Longoria is rapidly becoming a superstar, and Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena protect him well in the batting order. At least this year, as both Crawford and Pena are in the final year of their contracts. It's doubtful the small-market Rays will be able to afford both in 2011.
Glaring weakness
The Rays might have to get lucky to strike gold in right field and in the fifth rotation spot, because there is little margin for error in the AL East with the Yankees and Red Sox. They had that magical 2008, when everything came together. But it didn't stay together in 2009, and the Rays didn't make any major moves, hoping that 2008 was the norm, not 2009. And their window of contention is closing fast. If the Rays underachieve or fall victim to injuries, a Cleveland Indians-type of sell-off could be coming.