| 11 February 2009
Here's a look at the 2009 Rays from The Rays Party.
The Rays had the most memorable season ever in franchise history in 2008. The Rays had a wealth of young talent that was mentored and anchored by veteran free agents acquired for 2008 as well as young players acquired by trades. The season supplied great pitching all year round in the bullpen and rotation, which was supported by the one of the best fielding teams in the Majors, and the hitting which was disappointing for some players but came together at the right time in ordered to win some ballgames. After losing the World Series four games to one to the Phillies, the Rays front office went right to work to improve the ballclub and prove that 2008 was no fluke.
The main weakness of the Rays last year was hitting, coming up short with runners in scoring position, and the Rays wanted to sign one of the several big bat free agents on the market this off-season. The Rays decided to sign former Phillies (ironic) outfielder Pat Burrell. Burrell is a proven big-league hitter averaging 30 homers a year. Other acquisitions include outfielder Gabe Kapler and Matt Joyce acquired to become the future rightfielder, which saw nine players start their last year. The outfield is now set with Carl Crawford in left, B.J. Upton in center, and Burrell sharing duties in right with Gabe Gross and eventually Matt Joyce. The infield is poised for a repeat with Carlos Pena at first, Akinori Iwamura at second, Jason Bartlett at short, and Evan Longoria at third. This infield looks to improve defensively and offensively. The catching position is manned by 2008 breakout player Dioner Navarro, who hit .295 and earned an All-Star appearance last year. Most of the position players have great range fielding and look to improve on their offense which was a down year most of the players.
The strongest aspect of the Rays is pitching, with a deep well in the minors and proven pitchers at the Major League level. The rotation looks to see an improved Scott Kazmir, consistent James Shields, talented Matt Garza, Andy Sonnanstine eating innings, and the start of the David Price era. Whether he starts the year with the Rays or in Triple-A Durham is unknown for now, but the Rays have several capable guys to start in his place until the Rays deem him ready. Switching over to the bullpen which was probably the A.L.'s best with great late innings specialists. The only question is who will be the closer when Troy Percival is out? The Rays have several guys capable of doing so, but will probably land in the hands of hard-throwing Aussie Grant Balfour. Even with the top-notch bullpen, the Rays were still looking for veterans relievers to add including righty Joe Nelson, LOOGY Brian Shouse, and veteran Lance Cormier. Regardless of which pitcher makes the team, the Rays have a quality pitching staff and will stacked with quality pitchers for a very long time.
We asked The Rays party guys a few specific questions as well... here are the answers:
1. The Rays had a number of guys play beyond expectations in 2008. Who's most likely to take a step back in 2009: Longoria, Navarro, Bartlett, Garza, Wheeler... someone else?
A name that comes to mind is Dan Wheeler who many Rays bloggers fear is doomed to get rocked this year despite a good performance last season. Gabe Gross is on the hot seat with Matt Joyce breathing on his neck. He needs to improve a lot in order to stay with the team even as a fourth or fifth outfielder.
The Rays lost Rocco Baldelli, Eric Hinske and Johnny Gomes, but acquired Gabe Kapler and Pat Burrell. Do you like the swap?
I like the swap. If Rocco health was normal this would change everything, but the Rays get a proven 30 home run hitter and guy with a growing walk rate for guys that haven't had a season close to any of Burrell's.
Who will the surprise of 2009 for the Rays? - This can be a rookie, a trade you think might happen or a player just playing beyond expectations...
I will go with two infielders: Akinori Iwamura and Willy Aybar. I think Iwamura will be moved out of the leadoff spot and down the order where he will much more comfortable in and be able to produce much more offensively. Aybar was actually out of baseball in 2007 and came back playing pretty good. I expect him to hit to more of what he did in Atlanta and with the Dodgers.
Predict the final standings for the AL East - We all want are team to go all the way, but try to be realistic.
1. New York Yankees - Last chance with the amount guys over 30
2. Tampa Bay Rays - Hitting has to improve, pitching solid, Pat Burrell is the key
3. Boston Red Sox - Didn't improve much, missed Tex
4. Toronto Blue Jays - Great pitching, just in the wrong division
5. Baltimore Orioles - better than last year, but in the AL East Expect this division to be tight with the Blue Jays fighting for a spot in late September.
5. Since you are our "inside source" in Tampa, can you give us some thoughts on the proposed new stadium and the likelyhood of it actually getting built? Do the fans want it? Is the city/state willing to commit?
The Rays wisely scrapped the plan for a waterfront stadium after a public revolt over "water front property use". But they complained for the wrong reasons as a unaired-conditioned stadium wasn't going to work, nor was the location feasible for the entire metro area. A commission has been set up and has scouted for several places including some still near St. Petersburg, but closer to Tampa and the growing population north of Tampa Bay. Fortunately is will be a retractable roof and seat a little more than the proposed waterfront stadium. When or where it will be built is still a question, but my estimation is opening day in a new stadium around 2015, probably after.
Click HERE for a link with more info on the Rays' new stadium.
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