Rays Showing Some Fight Left In Them for the Last Go around

Last week I lambasted the Rays for not playing with much heart down the stretch. While I know my article had no impact on them whatsoever, I'd like to think that somewhere in the baseball universe, word got back to the team that they were going out like dogs.

Since their epic slump following the Scott Kazmir trade, the Rays have won four in a row and five of their last seven.

At this point, I think it's important to the team to finish 2009 strong. They know they're not going to be able to contend for a playoff spot this season, but this isn't about '09. Management made that abundantly clear when Kazmir was dumped to L.A.

It's about 2010. The Rays know they're not going to have the money to be able to compete with the Red Sox, Yankees, and other big market teams. It's important to see what they have in some of their young players while building some momentum going into next season.

Guys like pitcher Wade Davis could figure prominently in Tampa Bay's plans in 2010. Davis has put together two sensational starts sandwiched around a forgettable one.

Reid Brignac could be an option if the team can't afford Jason Bartlett anymore (man, would they miss Barlett, though).

Tough choices for Tampa Bay are ahead, but at least the team can go out swinging.

After the crushing slump, the Rays' players may be realizing that this could be the last go around with the team intact as it is. Baseball in the era of free agency is a transitional game. Teams are rarely the same as they were in the past.

New pieces come in, old ones are shipped out. Unless you're a high payroll club, you're not going to have the resources to keep all your players forever.

Perhaps I'm being a negative Nancy here, but this could be the last shot Tampa Bay has for a winning record for awhile. I know, Rays fans, you don't want to believe that, but the truth is in what management has been saying.

They can't live at their current payroll level, which means old favorites like Carl Crawford, Jason Bartlett, and Carlos Pena all could be wearing different colors next year in favor of younger (and cheaper) options like Desmond Jennings.

Translation: Getting younger and cheaper could be lead to more mistakes and less victories. Rebuilding may be coming again.

It's good to see that the team still has some fight left in it. Let's hope it can close out 2009 with force, secure this winning season, and get some positive momentum into what could be a very interesting hot stove league for the Rays.