Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon and Tampa Bay Rays' 2011 Projected Starting Lineup

Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon are going to be reunited as members of the 2011 Tampa Bay Rays. The former Boston Red Sox stars are aging, yet will be called on to be productive for the 2010 AL East champion Rays, who will take on a new look.

Gone from the roster are plenty of fan favorites. Tropicana Field's seats will probably still be filled with Carl Crawford, Matt Garza, Carlos Pena, Rocco Baldelli, Jason Bartlett and Carlos Pena jerseys. However, none of those players will be wearing a Rays uniform.

Here is a look at how I see the Rays' starting lineup on Opening Day.

1. Johnny Damon, Left Field

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NEW YORK - AUGUST 16: Johnny Damon #18 of the Detroit Tigers salutes the crowd prior to his first at bat against the New York Yankees on August 16, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Johnny Damon will have the responsibility of replacing Carl Crawford in left field. Damon will also most likely assume duties as the Rays' leadoff hitter in 2011.

2. John Jaso, Catcher

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 09: Catcher John Jaso #28 of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a RBI single against the Texas Rangers in the 8th inning during game 3 of the ALDS at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 9, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Mar

John Jaso will most likely be the Rays' starting catcher over Kelly Shoppach.

He hit .263 with 44 RBI in 103 games in 2010. He is a good young player that should show even more production in 2011.

3. Evan Longoria, Third Base

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 10: Evan Longoria #3 of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a two run homerun against the Texas Rangers in the 5th inning during game 4 of the ALDS at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 10, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Ma

Evan Longoria starting at third base is one of the only pieces of consistency returning to the Rays in 2011.

Longoria had a great 2010, hitting .294 with 22 home runs and 104 RBI. He will be a little better protected at the plate with the additions of Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon.

The field will look different for him without Jason Bartlett to his side and Carl Crawford behind him in left field.

4. Manny Ramirez, Designated Hitter

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BOSTON - SEPTEMBER 05: Manny Ramirez #99 of the Chicago White Sox heads to first base after he was hit by a pitch in the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox on September 5, 2010 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Manny Ramirez makes his return to the American League East. Will he be the power hitter that the Rays have been missing, or will it be another case of "Manny being Manny?"

Only time will tell how his stint with the Rays will turn out. However, it can be expected that he will hit better than Carlos Pena's .197 batting average from 2010.

5. Ben Zobrist, First Base

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ST PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 07: Elvis Andrus #1 of the Texas Rangers dives back to first as first baseman Ben Zobrist #18 applies the tag during Game 2 of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on October 7, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Florid

With the addition of Johnny Damon, it is likely that Ben Zobrist will have to get used to playing first base. Desmond Jennings will most likely start the season off in the minor leagues with Zobrist moving to the infield.

However, depending on how Joe Maddon feels about Dan Johnson, it is still possible that Zobrist could be patrolling right field for the Rays in 2011.

6. Matt Joyce, Right Field

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ST. PETERSBURG, FL - SEPTEMBER 28: Outfielder Matt Joyce #20 of the Tampa Bay Rays catches a fly ball against the Baltimore Orioles during the game at Tropicana Field on September 28, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Matt Joyce may get the nod to start the season in right field for the Rays. The only way this is likely to occur would be if Zobrist gets moved to first base. If Zobrist remains in the outfield, expect Joyce to continue to be a contributing role player for the Rays.

He played in 77 games in 2010, hitting .241 in 216 at-bats for the Rays.

7. B.J. Upton, Center Field

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ST PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 12: BJ Upton #2 of the Tampa Bay Rays waits on second base during Game 5 of the ALDS against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field on October 12, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

B.J. Upton will continue to cover center field for the Rays in 2011. Although his name continues to appear in trade rumors, he is still on the Tampa Bay roster and will be needed more than ever in 2011.

Upton had his lowest career batting average in 2010, hitting .237. However, he did compile his third consecutive season stealing more than 40 bases. If Upton can reduce his 164 strikeouts, he could reach the potential Rays fans have been hoping to see from him.

8. Sean Rodriguez, Second Base

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ST. PETERSBURG - SEPTEMBER 27: Infielder Sean Rodriguez #1 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws to first base for an out against the Baltimore Orioles during the game at Tropicana Field on September 27, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty

Sean Rodriguez had a decent first season with the Rays in 2010. He had a .241 batting average with nine home runs and 40 RBI.

He was a consistent player for the Rays and will most likely remain the starter at second base going into the 2011 season.

9. Reid Brignac, Shortstop

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ST. PETERSBURG - JULY 11: Shortstop Reid Brignac #15 of the Tampa Bay Rays fields a ground ball against the Cleveland Indians at Tropicana Field on July 11, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Reid Brignac will be filling the shoes of Jason Bartlett at shortstop in 2011.

In 2010 he had a .256 batting average with eight home runs and 45 RBI. Entering his second full season in the majors, it can be expected that his production will continue to grow, which should make the transition from Bartlett seamless.

Brignac will probably also be a fan favorite for the Rays through his interaction with fans on Twitter.