2011 ALDS: 10 Things Tampa Bay Rays Can Build on from 2011 for 2012

The Tampa Bay Rays are in a great position to return to the postseason in 2012.

Their wonderfully improbable 2011 season resulted in them exceeding the most optimistic of expectations by making the postseason as the AL Wild Card team. The epic finale to the season where they came back from being behind nine games to the Boston Red Sox will be talked about for years.

Now that the final chapter has been written on 2011 it is time simultaneously reflect on this season as well as look ahead to 2012.

Here are 10 things the Rays can build on as they prepare for next season.

10. Joe Maddon's Decisions

Joe Maddon has often been criticized for the number of lineups he sends out, believing the team still had a chance when nine games out and putting struggling players like J.P. Howell on the field continually.

After sending Dan Johnson to the plate in the ninth inning with two outs and the season on the line and having the decision work in the Tampa Bay Rays' favor, there will be more latitude for his style of managing.

9. Shortstop Position

The Tampa Bay Rays made the playoffs in spite of rather than because of the play they received from the catcher and shortstop positions.

The Rays shortstops finished dead last out of all 30 teams in baseball in batting average (.193), on-base percentage (.256) and slugging percentage (.282).

Reid Brignac, Elliot Johnson and Sean Rodriguez are not the full-time solutions at shortstop in order for the team to improve next year.

They need to either find a way to trade for a shortstop who can hit or prepare to continue to average 0.6 hits per game from this position.

8. Bullpen

Wade Davis might be the odd man out of the Tampa Bay Rays rotation in 2012.

Assuming there are no offseason trades, the rotation could easily exclude Davis. It's not too crazy to envision a rotation including James Shields, David Price, Jeremy Hellickson, Jeff Niemann and the anticipated return of Alex Cobb. This doesn't even account for what to do with Matt Moore which shall be addressed later.

Davis could find a new role in the very vulnerable bullpen.

The Rays don't have a reliever on this current roster who can eat up innings if a starter struggles and take the occasional start after a doubleheader or in the event of an injury. They have tried to utilize Andy Sonnanstine but it is unlikely he will have a full-time return to the major league roster from Durham.

7. The Legend of Sam Fuld

Sam Fuld isn't an everyday major league player. However, he is one heck of a spark plug.

Fuld provides another outfielder with an above-average glove, and his offense is more than acceptable for the Tampa Bay Rays with his .240 batting average and .313 on-base percentage.

His skills allow the team to prepare for 2012 knowing they have quality depth on the roster in the event B.J. Upton, Desmond Jennings or Matt Joyce require a day off or injury replacement.

6. B.J. Upton Still Has Enough Value to Be Retained

B.J. Upton can still be as productive as he is frustrating.

If he can find a way to harness the momentum that he finished 2011 with into 2012, he can be an All-Star center fielder. Upton bat .333 in the month of September and then went on to bat .286 in the ALDS.

Those are more than adequate numbers to justify keeping the often criticized outfielder with the team. If he can maintain a level of performance in that range, coupled with his speed and defense, he would be a true asset to the team.

He would also increase his trade value.

5. James Shields Can Be an Ace

James Shields rebounded in 2011 from a 2010 season that was less than stellar.

He finished the season with 11 complete games including four shutouts while maintaining a 2.82 ERA. Even if his numbers take a slight dip in 2011, he will still put up All-Star caliber numbers.

Aside from what this can bring the team in 2012 from an individual standpoint, it can enhance the rotation as a whole. David Price had some setbacks in 2011 that could have been due to the added pressure of being the team's "ace."

If Shields can take some of that pressure off of Price it could lead to a more potent pitching combination at the top of the rotation.

4. Desmond Jennings Is Ready to Start in Tampa Bay

Desmond Jennings is ready to start his first full season on a major league roster.

There has been some speculation that he was left in Durham too long but the counter argument can be made that his performance in Tampa Bay in 2011 can be attributed to the extra time he had to develop.

The time for him to develop has expired.

Now that the Rays are a full season removed from having Carl Crawford, left field is now Jennings' territory to own. In addition to his fielding abilities he brought a much needed offensive spark to the team that if applied over the course of a whole season could easily add wins.

Especially, when you consider all of the games the Rays stranded runners or couldn't get hits.

3. Successful Introduction of Matt Moore

Matt Moore had a phenomenal introduction to the majors in 2011. With that said it is probably in the team's best interest to have him begin 2012 back in Durham.

Barring any trades of starting pitchers in the offseason what is the value of having Moore on the major league roster opening day?

There is no need to rush him to the majors in the same manner the Washington Nationals rushed Stephen Strasburg and risk injury. Instead, you can keep him in Durham and manage his pitch count until the All-Star break or trade deadline when another pitcher can be moved making room for him to be called up to finish 2012.

It will take some of the pressure off of him after his successful two starts including his postseason start in the ALDS.

2. Evan Longoria as a Star Player

Evan Longoria was thrust in the role of a star player very early in his career, perhaps too early. He was still finding his way in the majors and was in the spotlight on an upstart team in the World Series.

Now the team has made the postseason three out of four seasons and Longoria was at the plate for some of the most crucial moments. His clutch hitting, especially his two home runs against the New York Yankees in the final game of the season, will be what is remembered the most about his 2011 season.

If he can stay healthy for 2012, there is no reason he cannot continue to develop as a leader on the field and in the clubhouse for this team that will be fighting to continue to prove that they belong with the elite teams.

1. The Tampa Bay Rays Can Win the AL East

If there is one thing the Tampa Bay Rays can build on from 2011 going into 2012 its success.

This team defied all the odds to make it to the postseason and win over 90 games for the third time in four seasons. Conventional logic would suggest that after the drastic cuts made to payroll that the 2012 team will likely be better than this season's team.

The team is young but now has an additional year of experience under their belt. They also have the confidence that they can go head-to-head with the juggernauts of their division and league.

Following the collapse of the Red Sox and change at manager, there are sure to be other changes in Boston. If the Yankees season falls short of perceived expectations there is a very real possibility that on Opening Day 2012 the Rays could be the best positioned team to make a run at the AL East crown.

Jamal Wilburg is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.

Follow his thoughts, insights, and ramblings on Twitter @JWilburg