2009 Rays Should Be Careful Not To Become 2007 Tigers

Congratulations to the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays for shocking the world, but excuse me when I say we've seen this one before.

A team sits in the basement for years upon years. They become a laughing stock, all the while quietly compiling draft picks. Every year, they sit last or next to last in their division as they wait for a young core to develop.

Suddenly, that team starts the season with a hot start.

After 20-30 games, people start talking about when they'll fade out.

After 50-60 games, people start asking if they're for real, under the guidance of their lovable old ball coach.

By the All-Star break, they're front-runners and buyers at the trade deadline.

In September, they have a magic number.

In the playoffs, they are underdogs against a perennial powerhouse.

In the World Series, they get smothered in 5 games

Sounds about like the Rays' run to glory this year, doesn't it? Well, it also sounds a lot like the story of the 2006 Detroit Tigers, who had a magical year before deciding to forget how to pitch, hit, throw and catch in the World Series and beyond.

In 2007, the Tigers missed the playoffs, shouldering high expectations for the first time in years. In 2008, they ignored pitching and fundamentals, the elements that made them American League Champions in 2006

As the Rays move forward, there will be a temptation to make them more flashy. More hitting (Miguel Cabrera)! Big names (Gary Sheffield)! Established veterans (Edgar Renteria)!

In other words, a temptation to go directly against their current team composition.

Because of the World Series loss, there will be a temptation to over-correct what few issues the Rays have and start spending more money, now that the team is winning and Tropicana Field is pulling some revenue.

As someone who watched the Detroit Tigers go from laughing stock to relevant to disappointment back to a laughing stock, I urge Tampa Bay GM Andrew Friedman and Manager Joe Maddon to take a deep breath before making any moves this off-season, and listen to this helpful advice.

First and foremost, don't turn your backs on the pitching staff.

Like the 2006 Tigers, the Rays' rotation is very young, and while talented, there are a number of question marks. Just because they performed well one year does not mean they're done developing. Let Jeremy Bonderman, Joel Zumaya, Fernando Rodney, Nate Robertson and Justin Verlander serve as proof. The pitching staff is never "set."

Second, resist the temptation to overspend.

Let the Red Sox, Tigers, and Yankees concern themselves with spending exorbitant amounts of money on players with big names and small skills. You got this far without them, right?

Third, don't sell the farm.

The Tigers are now in a very difficult position, because they gave up most of their highly-valued minor league prospects for Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis. While Cabrera has been solid, the team now faces a slew of other problems that would likely have been resolved with Andrew Miller, Cameron Maybin, Mike Rabelo, and three other prospects growing into the roles. The Rays will have growing pains, make no mistake. The question is whether the office is prepared to meet them when they happen.

Finally, stay gritty.

Keep that underdog's spirit. It's true that after winning the American League, the Rays have a target on their backs. Much of the mistake the Tigers made, however, is playing with a little too much swagger. By expecting to win, they stopped fighting to win. Now they're back where they started.

Take note, Rays. This could be you in 2010.

Don't screw it up.