Post by 4th and Maine on Apr 4, 2009 11:15:53 GMT -5
The Tampa Bay Rays had their first winning season in 2008. A winning season that propelled them to an AL East division title ahead of both Boston and New York, a season that saw them win their first playoff series, outlast the Red Sox in seven games for the ALCS, and even appear in the franchises first World Series.
The Rays did all of this by having the best blend of young pitting talent, equally young position talent, and a few older veterans that were able to help bring it all together. This core of guys, which came together so well last year, is back this year and virtually in tact. They lost a little bit of the veteran leadership from last year, but they were able to replace it with a few more then capable guys.
One thing is for sure, the rest of the division is better then last year. The Yankees of course added Texieria, Sabathia, and Burnett. The Red Sox were able to add Smoltz and Penny. The Orioles added overall lineup depth, and the Bluejays look to stay healthy and expand on the first full year of the season tour of manager Cito Gaston.
In order for the Rays to make another run at this thing, they are going to need another outstanding year from both their starting staff, and their bullpen. Something they got from both of those units last year. Lets take a look at the projected starting staff for opening day:
RHP James Shields
LHP Scott Kazmir
RHP Matt Garza
RHP Andy Sonnantine
Jason Hammel or Jeff Niemann
With the announcement last week that LHP stud prospect David Price would start the year in the minors, that appears to be how their rotation will shake out for opening day. However don't expect it to stay that way for too long. Price showed what he can do in limit time down the stretch last year and it's only a matter of time before he is back up with the big club. Many big league scouts think Jeff Niemann, who is 6'9 and 260 pounds and has a 97 mph fastball, can be a very good major league started, but he struggles badly in his last outing. He may get the job early, but it doesn't appear to be a matter of if, but when they will make the call to the 2008 Minor league player of the year, David Price.
As far as the bullpen it is largely intact from a terrific 2008 campaign. JP Howell, Grant Balfour, Dan Wheeler, and Troy Percivel are all back from what was either a career or comeback type year for all of them. Can they replicate last year success? That remains to be seen, but with a very strong starting staff, that should put the bullpen in as many chances to be successful as last year. Also, with the overall team so strong they could look to add an arm or two to the pen around July if it became a priority. I think they should be fine, just a few minor setbacks here and there,
Looking at the Rays lineup, it is down right nasty. It could be jumbled a number of ways by Joe Madden during the season, but here's a look at one potential lineup:
1. Akinori Iwamura 2B
2. B.J. Upton CD
3. Carl Crawford LF
4. Carlos Pena 1B
5. Evan Longoria 3B
6. Pat Burrell RF/DH
7. Dionner Navarro C
8. Gabe Gross/Gabe Kapler RF/DH
9. Michael Barrett
One could argue that the lineup could be even better then last year. Carl Crawford battled some injuries and a sub par year for him numbers wise. He looks healthy and should bounce back. Evan Longoria will have a full season under his belt and should put up monster numbers. B.J. Upton and Dionner Navarro should mature a little more and be more consistent. Pena is coming off what was another strong campaign, we will see if he can keep up the pace of these last couple career years. Overall top to bottom this is one of the most feared lineups in baseball.
With all that being said, I do look for the Rays to fall off a little bit this year. It is rough for any World Series team to make it back there the following year, let alone the loser of the Series. I look for them to stay in contention for the Wild Card until late August, but in the end injuries or a bust trade in July will take down their bullpen, and that will be their undoing.
Prediction: 89-73
The Rays did all of this by having the best blend of young pitting talent, equally young position talent, and a few older veterans that were able to help bring it all together. This core of guys, which came together so well last year, is back this year and virtually in tact. They lost a little bit of the veteran leadership from last year, but they were able to replace it with a few more then capable guys.
One thing is for sure, the rest of the division is better then last year. The Yankees of course added Texieria, Sabathia, and Burnett. The Red Sox were able to add Smoltz and Penny. The Orioles added overall lineup depth, and the Bluejays look to stay healthy and expand on the first full year of the season tour of manager Cito Gaston.
In order for the Rays to make another run at this thing, they are going to need another outstanding year from both their starting staff, and their bullpen. Something they got from both of those units last year. Lets take a look at the projected starting staff for opening day:
RHP James Shields
LHP Scott Kazmir
RHP Matt Garza
RHP Andy Sonnantine
Jason Hammel or Jeff Niemann
With the announcement last week that LHP stud prospect David Price would start the year in the minors, that appears to be how their rotation will shake out for opening day. However don't expect it to stay that way for too long. Price showed what he can do in limit time down the stretch last year and it's only a matter of time before he is back up with the big club. Many big league scouts think Jeff Niemann, who is 6'9 and 260 pounds and has a 97 mph fastball, can be a very good major league started, but he struggles badly in his last outing. He may get the job early, but it doesn't appear to be a matter of if, but when they will make the call to the 2008 Minor league player of the year, David Price.
As far as the bullpen it is largely intact from a terrific 2008 campaign. JP Howell, Grant Balfour, Dan Wheeler, and Troy Percivel are all back from what was either a career or comeback type year for all of them. Can they replicate last year success? That remains to be seen, but with a very strong starting staff, that should put the bullpen in as many chances to be successful as last year. Also, with the overall team so strong they could look to add an arm or two to the pen around July if it became a priority. I think they should be fine, just a few minor setbacks here and there,
Looking at the Rays lineup, it is down right nasty. It could be jumbled a number of ways by Joe Madden during the season, but here's a look at one potential lineup:
1. Akinori Iwamura 2B
2. B.J. Upton CD
3. Carl Crawford LF
4. Carlos Pena 1B
5. Evan Longoria 3B
6. Pat Burrell RF/DH
7. Dionner Navarro C
8. Gabe Gross/Gabe Kapler RF/DH
9. Michael Barrett
One could argue that the lineup could be even better then last year. Carl Crawford battled some injuries and a sub par year for him numbers wise. He looks healthy and should bounce back. Evan Longoria will have a full season under his belt and should put up monster numbers. B.J. Upton and Dionner Navarro should mature a little more and be more consistent. Pena is coming off what was another strong campaign, we will see if he can keep up the pace of these last couple career years. Overall top to bottom this is one of the most feared lineups in baseball.
With all that being said, I do look for the Rays to fall off a little bit this year. It is rough for any World Series team to make it back there the following year, let alone the loser of the Series. I look for them to stay in contention for the Wild Card until late August, but in the end injuries or a bust trade in July will take down their bullpen, and that will be their undoing.
Prediction: 89-73