GM Friedman Signs Longoria, Shows Rays Want to Win

One thing is for certain, these are not the "Devil" Rays of old, these are the Rays, and they are trying something new.

It's called spending.

The Rays took a big step toward securing their future when they inked third baseman and uber-prospect Evan Longoria to a five year, 17.5 million dollar contract despite the fact Longoria has only played in six big league games.

Since January, the Rays have signed left-fielder Carl Crawford, staff ace James Shields, and now Longoria to long-term deals in what appears to be an effort to continue to improve and become perennially competitive.

It finally seems like the Rays have found themselves someone in the front office competent enough to turn the wealth of young talent into higher numbers in the win column.

General Manager Andrew Friedman is handicapped by the fact that he is not in control of the Yankees or the Red Sox. He does not have unlimited resources and funds at his disposal to sign marquee free agents. But he is making due with what he has.

When Theo Epstein signs Julio Lugo and Lugo proceeds to flirt with the Mendoza line, it's a bad signing, but its not a franchise-crippler.

But when Chuck LaMar, the former Rays GM, signs Rocco Baldelli to a long-term deal and the center-fielder struggles to stay healthy, it sets the franchise back.

Friedman has turned the Rays into a competitor, and through these signings he has turned the Rays into the trendy new pick for a playoff team.

The dearth of pitching that used to characterize the Rays has been turned into an excess thanks to subtle signings and trades.

Edwin Jackson was brought over in 2006 in a trade for relievers Danys Baez and Lance Carter.

Matt Garza came from Minnesota this offseason in a trade that sent troubled yet talented outfielder Delmon Young to the Twins. 

Jeff Niemann, James Shields and Andy Sonnanstine are all products of the deep minor league of the team.

As well, Carlos Pena was signed in the off-season last year and turned into the silver slugger at first base in the AL. Jason Bartlett, another part of the trade with Minnesota has filled in ably with slick defense and speed.

But even more important than these trades are the new signs that Friedman is willing to spend to keep these players.

Five years ago, Longoria would be with Rays just long enough to have some productive seasons before he was traded at the deadline to the Dodgers because the Rays wouldn't have been able to afford his offseason asking price.

Now the Rays are taking a calculated gamble that Longoria will be a cornerstone for the franchise and he will be in Tampa Bay for a long time.