After a stellar 2008 season for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays it would seem improbable that 2009 would be better. The only way it could be better is if they actually win the World Series. My apologies to the statistic trackers who would probably point out that less errors, lower ERAs, and other such things could make for an improved season. While the statisticians would of course be correct, I would prefer a World Series win over improved stats any day. Now if we could have both, that would be great!
As for the 2009 season, the lineup is pretty awesome even before players are acquired (or lost) during Spring Training. The Rays were able to add Pat Burrell as a DH during the offseason. This power hitting outfielder replaces Rocco Baldelli’s bat with a stronger one. Having spent his entire career with the Rays, Baldelli is currently on the Boston Red Sox roster after the rays declined his 2009 contract option. Burrell joins the Rays from an entire career spent with the Philadelphia Phillies. While with the World Champion Phillies in 2008 Burrell hit 33 homeruns, 86 RBIs, with a slugging average of 507 and an average of 250.
The outfield will see the excellence we have come to expect from Carl Crawford in left, B.J. Upton in center, and the right field position still up in the air. Right field will undoubtedly be a battle between Gabe Gross and Gabe Kapler with the younger Matt Joyce and Fernando Perez perhaps seeing some part time play. We could also see Matt Joyce getting play in left and Perez getting some play in center.
With the exception of the catcher’s spot the rest of the infield is pretty much set with returning veterans. Carlos Pena will probably be at first again. Second should be manned by Akinori Iwamura. Resuming his duties at shortstop will be Jason Bartlett. Third will once again be covered by Evan Longoria. The only reason I say that the catcher’s position is still up in the air is because of how the arbitration is reportedly going with veteran Dioner Navarro. According to Navarro’s agent the Rays’ best offer is $2.1 million and Navarro is holding out for $2.5 million. Navarro’s agent thinks that this impasse may be insurmountable and that the Ray’s position during the arbitration may have soured Navarro on the Rays. I clearly acknowledge the important role that agents play but I also know that sometimes agents are obstructionists. It is my hope that an amiable agreement can be reached. His career making 2008 season demonstrates what an asset he is to the Rays while his meager pay of just over $412k does not show that the Rays value him commensurate with his performance.
Just last week the Rays signed veteran lefty and sidearm pitcher Brian Shouse. Shouse’s two year contract will be a huge boost to an already impressive bullpen that includes, Troy Percival, Dan Wheeler, J.P. Howell, Grant Balfour, Joe Nelson, Chad Bradford, and Juan Salas. As for the starting pitchers, James Shields returns for his fourth season with the Rays as does Jason Hammel. Other returning starters include, Andy Sonnanstine, Matt Garza, and Scott Kazmir. In addition to these starters are three promising second year players who will hopefully show improvement over their rookie season. They include David Price, Mitch Talbot, and Jeff Niemann. When Spring Training begins eyes will turn to the Derek Rodriguez. Rodriguez was taken from the Chicago White Sox during the Winter Meetings using the Rule 5 Draft. This minor league phenom racked up impressive numbers during minor league stints in Birmingham and Charlotte. Rule 5 works like this, “eligible players to be selected in the Rule 5 Draft are those players not on a team’s Major League 40-man roster who were 18 or younger when they first signed a pro contract and it is the fourth Rule 5 Draft since they signed. Also eligible are those players not on the 40-man who were 19 or older when they first signed a pro contract and this is the third Rule 5 Draft since they signed…Clubs pay $50,000 for the player drafted in the Major League phase, and if the player does not remain on the Major League 25-man active roster for all of the next season, the drafting club must attempt to return him to his original club for a price of $25,000.”
The 2009 season is looking good for the Rays and we haven’t even started Spring Training yet.
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