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2010 TAMPA BAY RAYS PREVIEW
The Rays were considered to a perennial cellar-dweller for the first decade of their existence but a rebranding coupled with a major breakout year in 2008 that saw the Rays vault all the way to the World Series has produced one of baseball’s strongest franchises. While their 84-78 record in 2009 was somewhat disappointing as a follow up to their World Series run, the Rays are absolutely loaded with young talent that should continue to keep them among the most dangerous teams in all of baseball. Can Tampa get back into the playoff picture in 2010?
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STARTING PITCHING
Tampa Bay has the great fortune to boast a set starting rotation heading into Spring Training. James Shields (11-12, 4.14 ERA, 33 Starts, 219 IP, 167 K) will be the workhorse of the group and should see his ERA drop after a somewhat down 2009 effort. Matt Garza (8-12, 3.95 ERA, 32 Starts, 203 IP, 189 K) continued to be impressive in his 2nd full major league season and should develop towards elite status this season.
The final three spots will be filled by even less experienced (but no less talented) hurlers than the young pairing atop the rotation. Jeff Niemann (13-6, 3.94 ERA, 30 Starts, 180 IP, 125 K) had an excellent rookie campaign and should build up that in 2010. David Price (10-7, 4.42 ERA, 23 Starts) has greatness written all over him (remember, he was the closer during the ’08 World Series run) and this young lefty just needs to be more consistent in 2010 to be a star. Finally, Tampa Bay seems to have an unlimited supply of elite young hurlers as Wade Davis (2-2, 3.72 ERA, 6 Starts) will start the year in the big leagues for the first time in his career. Based on raw talent alone, the Rays might have the best rotation in baseball but since there is so much youth on hand there are still going to be some struggles with consistency as the massive tidal wave of potential on hand continues to grow.
BULLPEN
The Rays needed to find a stopper in the offseason and they got their wish, signing Rafael Soriano (2.97 ERA in 77 Games, 27 Saves) away from the Braves. Soriano is an excellent pitcher with a lot of experience and the only knock on him is that 2009 was his first season as a closer. However, there is no doubt that he is a big upgrade for the Rays.
The rest of the pen is solid, featuring Dan Wheeler (3.28 ERA in 69 Games), Randy Choate (3.47 ERA in 61 Games), J.P. Howell (2.84 ERA in 69 Games), Lance Cormier (3.26 ERA in 53 Games) and Grant Balfour (4.81 ERA in 73 Games). There is no question that this is a deep and talented bullpen that should preserve plenty of leads for Soriano to put away.
INFIELD
The first player that has to be mentioned on the Rays’ infield is 3rd Baseman Evan Longoria (.281, 33 HR, 113 RBI, 100 R, .364 OBP), who is entrenched as one of the elite 3rd Basemen in all of baseball despite the fact that he is only 24 and entering his 3rd MLB season. If he continues to get better, it is scary to think how good he will be this year. 1st Baseman Carlos Pena (.227, 39 HR, 100 RBI, 91 R,.356 OBP) gives the Rays a brutal pairing on the corners and he will hit for great power in the cleanup spot.
The rest of the infield is solid as well. Shortstop Jason Bartlett (.320, 14 HR, 66 RBI, 30 SB, 90 R, .389 OBP) had a fantastic season in 2009 and should score a lot of runs this year. Double play partner Ben Zobrist (.297, 27 HR, 91 RBI, 17 SB, 91 R, .405 OBP) was a revelation at the plate in his first full big league season and both men will look to prove that their breakout 2009 seasons were no fluke. Finally, catcher Dioner Navarro (.218, 8 HR, 32 RBI, .261 OBP) fell off in a major way in 2009 after an All-Star 2008 campaign and will have to improve this season to hold off Kelly Shoppach behind the plate. Despite the turmoil at catcher, there is a bounty of talent on hand and Tampa should boast one of the best infields in baseball in 2010.
OUTFIELD
The theme of young and talented continues in the outfield. Leftfielder Carl Crawford (.305, 15 HR, 68 RBI, 60 SB, 96 R, 185 Hits, .364 OBP) might be the fastest player in Major League Baseball and is unquestionably one of the top leadoff hitters. Meanwhile, centerfielder B.J. Upton (.241, 11 HR, 55 RBI, 42 SB, .313 OBP) has the tools to be a 30-30 player but the 25 year old is still somewhat inconsistent. If he puts it all together in 2010, look out! The right field position is currently up for grabs and veteran Gabe Kapler (.239, 8 HR, 32 RBI, .329 OBP in 99 Games) will be competing with youngster Matt Joyce (.188, 3 HR, 7 RBI, .270 OBP in 11 Games). The hope is that Joyce will emerge and allow Kapler to fill a strong backup role. Finally, veteran Pat Burrell (.221, 14 HR, 64 RBI, .315 OBP) will look to rebound from a disappointing first season in Tampa Bay in 2009. Expect him to have a significantly better year in 2010 and that’s great news for a Rays outfield that already appears set for a strong campaign.
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OUTLOOK
Tampa Bay has everything that a contender needs: A deep starting rotation, a solid bullpen and a lineup laced with both power and speed. With this team’s particular set of talent, there is no question that they have the capability to win 90 games in 2010. However, it might come as a surprise that we don’t foresee this year’s set of Rays playing the postseason. Why? While Tampa is chock full of talent and should win 90 games this season, they’re still an inferior team to the beasts of the Northeast, the Yankees and Red Sox. That means that we’re projecting Tampa Bay to be the best team in baseball not to make the playoffs in 2010 and their 90 wins will only be enough to earn 3rd place in the ridiculous AL East.
By Matt Baxendell
MLBcenter.com Staff Writer
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