The Rays looks like they could field the best team in their history. Still a few questions, and they obviously play in a tough division, but they should notch a few more wins this season. .500 ball is a legitimate possibility. Not exactly lofty expectations, but given that they haven't won over 69, that would be encouraging. Everyone from the GM on down is confident that their defense will be much better. I'll take a wait and see approach, but it's promising. Aki Iwamurra will move to second to make room for rookie Evan Longoria, who they expect to be the everyday 3Bman at some point this season. Aki was solid at third, and should lock down that side.
They are very high on SS Jason Bartlett(acquired from the Twins in the Delmon Young trade). Maddon commented that there were plays to be made season that he feels Bartlett will make. It looks like RF and DH will be a rotation of Baldelli, Gomes, and Floyd. They will continue to take it easy with Rocco, and I don't see Floyd in the field a lot, and Gomes isn't an everyday player in the field. IMO, they need Baldelli out there as much as possible. As good an arm as Young's. But he's missed, oh, around 600 games the last few seasons. Navarro is OK defensively, but offensively need to improve. Now. They signed Defilice, who will provide nothing on offense.
Starting pitching is solid. Garza(trade w/ Twins) gives them a solid number 3. Jackson looks to be the 4, and he came on strong last season after a terrible start. The bullpen overall was close your eyes ugly last season. This is where the rubber meets the road with this team. It looks to be vastly improved, but we will see. Vet pickup Troy Percival will be closing, with last year's closer Al Reyes setting up, and pick up lefty Tervor Miller a good addition to mix with Wheeler and Glover.
They should continue to score runs, and will be better defensively and pitching wise. They have added some good clubhouse vets to mix with the young talent, while ridding themselves of some locker room problems. Hard to put a number up there for a win total because there are still some ifs, but I think 80 wins is realistic.
More than you ever wanted to hear about the Rays.
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