2012 MLB Free Agency: How Tampa Bay Rays Can Become Top Dog In AL East

The Tampa Bay Rays are on the verge of overtaking the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox as kings of the American League East division.

A year ahead of schedule in what was supposed to be a transitional year in 2011, the Rays upset the Red Sox and eliminated them from the playoffs.  This earned them a trip of their own to the postseason.  

The late season emergence of top pitching prospect Matt Moore signifies good things to come for the upstart Rays.

With free agency looming, though, the Rays look to hold on to key players and not lose them to the alluring contracts of bigger market teams.  If the Rays management can find a way to finance and deliver an improved team in 2012, the ticket sale issue may fix itself.

Rome wasn't built in a day.

In this case, the Rays have had three winning seasons (and three playoff appearances) out of the past four years.  This is odd when considering the sharp (15 percent) decrease in ticket sales for the Rays in 2011.

Tampa Bay Rays owner Stuart Sternberg was quoted in regards to the lacking attendance at Tropicana Field.  He said of the current profit margin, operating cost and payroll is:

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"Untenable as a model going forward."

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If you build it, they will come.

Sternberg has not shied away from the idea of moving the team from St. Petersburg to downtown Tampa.

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"Our ability to compete and, quite frankly, to survive rests on our ability to attract people and businesses to our ballpark. Our customers are our fans. Like any other business, we need to be in a location that is convenient for our fans to reach us."

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A new stadium and invigorated financial backing may be just what the Tampa Bay Rays need in order to effectively manage their current roster and add key pieces to the puzzle for 2012.

However, going out and buying players as a means to keep up with the Yankees and Red Sox wasn't needed the past four years.  As seen in both those clubs, it doesn't always guarantee success.

Read on and view a couple smart suggestions for the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2012 MLB free agency period.

Let Johnny Damon Walk

Johnny Damon was a central cog that helped hold the young Tampa Bay Rays together in 2011.  

His numbers, surprisingly, weren't even all that bad. However, those numbers are diminishing the older Damon gets and are very unwarranted for the high salary his name and experience will garner him.

If he is willing to accept a discounted offer from the Rays, there should be some consideration into keeping him around.  He is solid depth and a firm presence in the dugout.

Those reasons alone, though, should not justify paying a player $5 million per season.

Re-Sign 1B Casey Kotchman

Wouldn't it be incredible if the Rays could land Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder or Lance Berkman to play first base for 2012?  With the budget crisis in the Rays organization, those of you dreaming of signings like those are doing just that—dreaming.

However, Casey Kotchman is a bright spot and looks to come at a much cheaper price than most of the big name free agents on the market in 2012.  

His demonstrated solid hitting and impeccable glove play at first base have made him an integral part of the Rays ball club.

But he doesn't hit for power?

His excellent fielding, solid hitting and good ability to get on base more than make up for his lack of power numbers.

Keeping Kotchman at the right price should be a top priority for the Rays during free agency.

Extend LF Desmond Jennings' Contract

Heralded as the replacement for Carl Crawford, Desmond Jennings took his time making his big league debut.  

It was well worth the wait.

Jennings should not be crowned the next Crawford yet.  But his slash line of .259/.356/.449 along with 20 stolen bases in 63 games is very encouraging.

As Jennings continues to rise it would be wise to lock in the youngster to a several year deal with club options.  He currently has one year of service time left with Tampa Bay according to mlbtraderumors.com and will likely not come cheap if he continues to progress and reaches his potential in 2012.

Sign CF Grady Sizemore

There is no guarantee that the Cleveland Indians will pick up the nine million dollar option on Grady Sizemore's 2012 contract.  

Durability issues certainly are a concern for any potential team looking to gain his services if the Tribe were to send him packing.

On Oct. 6, Buster Olney of ESPN reported Sizemore had arthroscopic knee surgery with "encouraging results."

The Sizemore situation, though, is a concern for Cleveland, which will be hard pressed to justify committing a nine million dollar investment into a player that hasn't seen a solid season of baseball since 2008.  

Several teams look to profit from the Indians' declining his option.  

The Tampa Bay Rays could land a steal if they were to sign Sizemore to a cheaper contract.  With B.J. Upton out of the picture in Tampa (I'll get to that), at 29 years old Sizemore could return to the All-Star caliber player of old and provide the Rays the lead off hitter they've needed, as well as an offensive spark that may catapult them to the World Series.

Trade James Shields

Trading James Shields now is paramount.

You don't want to keep an over-performing player to release or trade down the line.  You trade them now, when they've reached their ceiling.

When their stock is the highest.

As seen in the Matt Garza to Chicago Cubs trade, the Rays can profit substantially from an underachieving player finally reaching his plateau.  Garza posted average numbers this season for the Chicago Cubs with 10 wins and 10 losses and a solid 3.32 ERA.

Was it worth it for the Cubs to lose prospects Brandon Guyer, Robinson Chirinos, Sam Fuld, Hak-Ju Lee, and Christopher Archer for an average starting pitcher?

A position player the Rays should demand in trade is an MLB ready shortstop to keep the position open until Hak-Ju Lee is ready to play big league baseball.

With standout prospect Matt Moore waiting in the wings and the performance of young guns Jeremy Hellickson and Jeff Niemann, losing Shields is not going to break the franchise.

Trade B.J. Upton

Make room for Grady Sizemore.

Trade rumors have been circling around B.J. Upton since the 2011 trade deadline.  The Rays are seemingly not interested in paying the possible seven million dollar option on Upton's 2012 contract.

Several teams expressed interest in Upton during the season, and now might be the last chance to profit from his departure.

Targets in trade should be focused on bullpen arms to improve the somewhat shaky relief rotation the Rays employed in 2011.