Playing Pepper 2009: Tampa Bay Rays

As players start getting themselves ready for another MLB season, I thought it'd be a good idea to do the same.

I contacted a blogger for each Major League team and asked each of them five questions. 

The following is the result:

The Rays shocked the world last year, not only winning the very tough AL East but fighting all the way to the World Series before falling to the Phillies.

Most people knew that the Rays were starting to develop a young, dangerous team, but to pass the large payrolls of the Yankees and Red Sox was quite an accomplishment.

It also begs the question: Can they do it again?

I got in touch with Erik of DRaysBay and asked him about a repeat and if the "Price" is right.

C70: What do you do for an encore after 2008? Does the fan base now expect to regularly contend?

DRB: What do you do for an encore?  You go out and win the best division in baseball for a second year in a row. That's the hope at least. The Rays are going to have it much harder this season with no one taking them lightly and every team gunning for them.

I think this fan base has every reason to believe the team will contend for years to come. The team has a very good and savvy front office combined with a talented young nucleus that are under contract for many years.

C70: Is Scott Kazmir still considered the ace of the staff and, if so, who might surpass him by the end of the year?

DRB: I don't think there's any one answer to that question. After Kazmir's struggles last season, I think the title of "ace" has shifted to James Shields, but the Rays have so many talented starters that all of them, including the underrated Andy Sonnanstine, have the potential to be the staff ace in 2009.

C70: How excited are you to see David Price starting on a regular basis? What should fans expect out of him?

DRB: Personally I can't wait to see what David Price can bring in 2009. However, I'd like to see him start the season in AAA while he learns, and hopefully perfects, the changeup he needs to be a superstar at the major league level.

I think you can expect around 120-130 innings from him with a FIP of around 4.00. It should be a fun show.

C70: Can Evan Longoria avoid the sophomore jinx?

DRB: For players of Longoria's caliber, I don't think the sophomore jinx applies. He's built right in the David Wright mold, except maybe even better with the glove, and we've seen how well Wright has played in each of his seasons.

C70: What was the general feeling about the Pat Burrell signing?

DRB: The Burrell signing was well received. The team got him for $16 million [for two years] which was a steal even in this harsh economic climate.

The Rays badly needed a DH and Burrell slots in perfectly around Pena and Longoria for a nice R/L/R middle of the order. DH has been a gaping hole for this team since Jose Canseco's 1999 season.

Burrell's combination of power/patience should solidify a team that now looks to have an above-average player at every position.

Thanks to Erik for his insights. As a guy that loves to see young stars, the Rays are a fun team to keep an eye on. I'm not sure if they can overcome the payroll obstacle again this year, but there's no reason why they can't be in the thick of things all season long.

You can find the tentative schedule of teams here and today's main post is right here.