Improved Rays Ready to Defend In East

This addition of the Tampa Bay Rays won’t surprise anyone unless the surprise is the team is even better.  That may seem a bold statement. The 2008 squad went to the World Series but that squad was plagued with injuries.

First this years starting pitching may be better.

The Rays have a healthy Scott Kazmir.  Last year when the diminutive lefty went down many thought there goes the season but the Rays hung in. Some scribes have called Kazmir’s season inconsistent. I think the Kid learned to pitch after starting the year with a bum elbow.

Next up is rookie phenom David Price.  The No. 1 prospect in all of baseball was 12-1 with a 2.30 ERA in 3 minor league stops last year.  He topped that with a solid five appearances in Tampa (1.59 ERA) and very good stints in the LCS and World Series. 

Sandwich those guys in with righties James Shields, Matt Garza and Andy Sonnenstine and the Rays are faced with the question of which kid do we pitch opening day?

The bullpen may be better too.

Edwin Jackson looked like a closer in the playoffs but when he balked at closing the Rays had the depth to move the righty with the electric arm.

Troy Percival’s leadership will be welcomed back and he may have even less duty to strain his arm. 

Dan Wheeler, who put up 13 saves, joins Percival.  Wheeler may be shaky as a closer but did a fine job in a set up role with fellow righty Grant Balfour and lefty J.P. Howell.

Howell showed closer stuff with 92 K’s in 89 innings, a 6-1 record and clutch performances all season.

Throw in Righty Joe Nelson who looked like a closer with the Marlins last year. At 34 Nelson threw like he had nothing to lose and everything to gain resulting in a 3-1, 2.00 ERA with 60 K’s in 54 innings. 

Chad Bradford gives the team a righty-righty specialist with his submarine delivery.

He’s joined by lefty Brian Shouse. Shouse performance last year may indicate he’s stronger as the designated Lefty role than departed Trever Miller.

Young guns Jeff Niemann and Jason Hammel have both waited patiently for opportunities but this crowded staff may not offer many.

The Line Up looks better than last years too.

Crawford, Pena, Bartlett, Navarro, Longoria, and Floyd all spent time on the DL and BJ Upton played with a through a separated shoulder.   They should be healthier.

Pat Burrell replaces Cliff Floyd at DH. Burrell is younger and more powerful.

Dioner Navarro showed himself to be the best catcher in the East and maybe in the American League. Back-up Shawn Riggans looked pretty darn solid too.

BJ Upton can recuperate and know CF is in the capable hands of young speedster Fernando Perez.

Carl Crawford worked through injuries to bring in a another season of 25 or more steals.  Veteran Gabe Kapler and young-ish Justin Ruggiano can both fill in.

Local boy Matt Joyce may challenge Gabe Gross in RF. Joyce is a future Left-handed power bat.  Gross was clutch last year with 14 of his 38 RBI being game winners.

The infield reminds me of Old Time baseball. 

Longoria provides power at 3B and defense like a Mike Schmidt or Ron Santo.

Bartlett is a spark plug at SS. A great defensive player, his presence saves runs. His speed makes runs.

Iwamura is fundamentally sound at 2B and adept at situational hitting. His slap hitting allows him to take his share of pitches. 

Carlos Pena has improved defensively and become a power threat.  Throw out batting average and Pena has stacked up with any 1B in the game the past two years.  He’s hurt but expected back.  The Rays can play DH Burrell at 1B or go with Wily Aybar who filled in solidly while Pena was out last year.

Behind all this talent is super-sub Ben Zobrist. Zobrist played 2B, 3B, SS, DH, and the outfield.  He showed some pop with 12 home runs in 198 at bats.  That’s one home run every 16.5 at bats.  Alex Rodriguez had 1 home run every 14.5 at bats. 

The switch-hitting Zobrist never batted below .300 in 4 minor league seasons featuring stops in 5 cities.  Most kids would develop an ego and feel they had to start but Zobrist fits in where needed. 

That’s where manager Joe Maddon comes in mixing this all together and controlling the egos.

Young, Old, Lefty, Righty, Speed, Power and all for a low, low price. The Rays have become a model team and a model organization while Boston and New York try to buy their way back to the top the Rays should keep getting better.  Are they too deep?