Offseason Forecaster: Tampa Bay Rays

I continue my AL East offseason pre-show with the Rays, after giving some ideas for the O's front office to deal with.

Let's just hope that no-one actually reads this that is important then.

Ok, So onto the show.

Last season, Tampa had a $45 M payroll. They already have almost $60 M tied up in next years team, with only 1 or 2 not-good contracts in Troy Percival & Chad Bradford.

Their money is well-spent. None of it wasted on injury-cases or really over-paid veterans. That is a compliment to their front office.

Catcher
To start, their catching situation is solid, with Dioner Navarro a rising star behind the plate. Shawn Riggans and John Jaso should battle for the back-up job. No need for any outside player at this spot.

1B
First base is set for years with Carlos Pena, who was finally given a chance to be a regular after a few seasons of toiling around baseball after displaying serious skills with Oakland/Detroit. No need to look outside the organization for any help here.

2B
Akinori Iwamura has looked like a really good signing by Tampa since his importation 2 seasons ago. Coming over as a 3B, last season was his first as a 2B, and he improved the team by playing well on both sides last year. He is a lock to be either the lead-off hitter or number 2 hitter next season.

3B
Evan Longoria broke-out last year. He burst through AAA like a monster cock through a hyman and exploded all over the league like a Peter North money shot. This kid is a star, with less than a full season under his belt.

SS
Jason Bartlett came over in the Young-Garza swap last off-season as kind of a throw in it appeared. He was named by some (albeit, retards) as the team MVP last season. He wasn't, but he is still a very valuable player on this team.

OF
B.J. Upton broke out in the post-season, showing impressive power. Carl Crawford, when healthy (which is getting to be a broken record almost), is the teams best player. RF is wide open. Internal candidates include Jonny Gomes & Gabe Gross. They could form a solid platoon, or an outside play could be acquired. A righty hitter would be the smart way to go.

DH
Wide open. Jonny Gomes could DH. Dan Johnson could DH. I would like to see them get a serious bat to put here. The way I see it, 1 hitter will be added, either as a DH or RF.

SP
Their starting is set for next season without paying big money for it. Scott Kazmir, James Shields, Matt Garza, Andy Sonnenstine, and Edwin Jackson (last years main starting 5) will all be back. Jackson could be dealt for a bat, meaing phenom David Price would be starting next season. Other depth guys include Jeff Niemann, Wade Davis, Mitch Talbot, and Jae-Kuk Ryu.

Bullpen
This is where their money is poorly spent. Their best relievers are Grant Balfour & JP Howell. Chad Bradford will be theirs all season, and Troy Percival will at least start the season healthy. Dan Wheeler is solid. Other options include Juan Salas, Chad Orvella and Jason Hammel. They will need to add a couple arms for mid-relief depth.

Free Agent Signings I See As Likely
Pat Burrell. DH 3 years/$12M per season.

Trades I see as Likely
Edwin Jackson to Cardinals for Rick Ankiel/Ryan Ludwick.

If you non-tender Jonny Gomes (who would then be a bargain bin candidate for whoever signs him), that gives the Rays about a $10 Million spike in payroll up to about $70 Million. With the season that TB just had, that could happen.

Roster Construction
C: Dioner Navarro
1B: Carlos Pena
2B: Aki Iwamura
3B: Evan Lorgoria
SS: Jason Bartlett
LF: Carl Crawford
CF: BJ Upton
RF: Ankiel/Ludwick
DH: Pat Burrell
Bench:
C: Riggans/Jaso
UTL: Ben Zobrist
OF: Gabe Gross
OF: Fernando Perez
IF: Willy Aybar

SP:
1. Kazmir, 2. Garza, 3. Shields, 4. Price, 5. Sonnanstine

Pen:
Closer: Percival
Set-Up: Balfour/Howell
Mid: Bradfor/Wheeler
Last Man Candidates: Salas, Hammel, Orvella, Niemann

That would be a scary team if they add at least 1 bat to DH/RF. They will contend for years unless payroll is restriced to about $50 M. If that is the case, all bets are off and this team gets dismantled with no additions.

Next up, is Toronto/Boston/New York whenever John Sickels over at MinorLeagueBall gets their top 20s done.