Five Big Questions for the Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays had an incredible run in 2008. No one expected them to be that good that fast. Now that the 2009 season is approaching and a couple of the AL East teams improved immensely over the offseason, there are a few questions to be answered. Here are my five questions for the Tampa Bay Rays:

1. Will Evan Longoria continue on his speedy rise to stardom or suffer a sophmore slump?

Evan Longoria is a special player. Players like him do not come along that often. He is talented offensively and defensively. He may start off slow this season, but I don't envision a season long slump.

2. What impact will Pat Burrell have on his new team?

I think this was an underrated move by the Rays. Burrell is a guy who can provide protection to a lineup that already has Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria. Burrell will not hit .290 or above, but he will give the team some much needed power. The power game was lacking in 2008.

3. Do the Rays need a definite closer to be good again this year?

I do think the closer by committee will work for awhile, but they will need to get a definite closer eventually. I think Troy Percival is done. They need to try and develop one of their current guys to be the closer or look outside the organization. If the Rays make the playoffs, they need one main guy to shut the door.

4. Who will be the starting right fielder?

This is a tough one. This one will probably not be answered until late in Spring Training. If the season started today, I would say it would be Gabe Gross. He is not spectacular, but plays hard in the field and at bat. I really want to see what Matt Joyce is all about this Spring Training.

If Joyce has a good Spring Training, I think he should be given a legitimate shot at the job. He looks to have the most upside of any candidate.

5. Who is a guy that can have a breakout season or a comeback season?

Scott Kazmir is an established starter in the league. However, he has been somewhat inconsistent in his first four full seasons in the majors. I think this is the year Kazmir has his breakout season. 

The Rays need Kazmir to have a good season to take a little pressure off James Shields, Matt Garza, Andy Sonnanstine, and possibly David Price.

Carlos Pena had a fairly disappointing 2008 season. Pena seems ready to have a better 2009. With extra protection in the lineup, Pena is one to watch.