| Scott Miller's Take |
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They have dropped the "Devil" and changed their uniforms. They also exorcised Delmon Young and Elijah Dukes in a strong attempt to change the clubhouse culture. The franchise has finished out of last place in the AL East only once in 10 years (fourth in 2004), but it should make it twice this summer. There are some legitimately good young players here that should push the Rays toward contention within the next few seasons. No, this is not a misprint. Video Outlook
Strengths
A batch of good, young, legit prospects. Two years running, Baseball America has ranked Tampa Bay's farm system No. 1 among the 30 big league franchises. Never before has the publication done that. Third baseman Evan Longoria is a leading Rookie of the Year candidate. B.J. Upton is only 23 and a rising star. Right-hander James Shields had a terrific debut season last year, going 12-8 with a 3.85 ERA in 31 starts. You know about Carl Crawford. Closer Troy Percival's addition was terrific for the clubhouse. With Dukes and Young gone, there is no more sense of entitlement. Manager Joe Maddon no longer must babysit and behave as if he's still teaching in the low minors.
Weaknesses
Rocco Baldelli. The Rays keep hoping, but the poor guy keeps letting them down, passing from future star into forgotten man territory. From chronic hamstring issues to his latest, a metabolic abnormality that leaves him feeling fatigued, the Rays have gone from being overloaded with outfielders -- Crawford, Baldelli, Upton, Young, Dukes -- to suddenly facing a potential shortage. The rotation also needs depth, something Edwin Jackson could help provide. Maddon was high on how he was throwing earlier this spring.
Difference Maker
Scott Kazmir. An elbow strain knocked Tampa Bay's would-be opening day starter out for three weeks this spring and forced Maddon to hand the ball to Shields for the March 31 start at Baltimore. The Rays already don't have enough pitching to seriously compete in the AL East -- yet -- and losing Kazmir for any length of time is a blow. Kazmir led the AL with 239 strikeouts last summer and ranked ninth with a 3.48 ERA. If he can get back on the field, and stay there, Tampa Bay will be surprisingly competitive.
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| Top Prospects |
| 1. |
Evan Longoria, 3B |
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Baseball America says elite talent might be opening day 3B.
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| 2. |
David Price, SP (L) |
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Top draftee should be able to arrive quickly and dominant early.
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| 3. |
Jacob McGee, SP (L) |
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A hard-throwing lefty with an overpowering fastball.
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| 4. |
Wade Davis, SP (R) |
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He's one of the best of a slew of prospects nearly ready to make it.
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| 5. |
Reid Brignac, SS |
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Baseball's top shortstop prospect has door open for him in 2008
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Complete AL East prospects |
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The Rays added pitching depth by acquiring Matt Garza, a top prospect from Minnesota. (AP)
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| Team Info |
2007 record: 66-96 (5th in AL East)
Manager: Joe Maddon, 3rd year (127-197)
Stadium: Tropicana Field (36,048; artificial)
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| Lineup |
| No. | Player | Comment |
| 1. | A. Iwamura, 2B | The top fielding 3B hopes the defense transfers to second |
| 2. | C. Crawford, LF | Won his 4th AL stolen base crown with 50 steals |
| 3. | C. Pena, 1B | Set career highs and club records in several offensive categories |
| 4. | B.J. Upton, CF | Started 68 of the Rays' final 74 games at CF |
| 5. | C. Floyd, DH | Is a .382 career hitter at Tropicana Field, tied for 2nd-best |
| 6. | J. Gomes, RF | Was set to platoon with R. Baldelli but for now has the solo gig |
| 7. | W. Aybar, 3B | The utility infielder is merely holding the spot for E. Longoria |
| 8. | D. Navarro, C | Hit .306 in September after a terrible first half (.177 AVG) |
| 9. | J. Bartlett, SS |
Led the Twins in SB (23) last season |
| Pitching |
| Rotation | Comment |
| 1. |
J. Shields (R) |
Strong finish to '07 (4-1 and 2.20 ERA in his last 8 starts) |
| 2. |
S. Kazmir (L) |
The AL strikeout champion, slowed by injury, starts on the DL |
| 3. |
M. Garza (R) |
Went 15 straight scoreless innings after he was promoted from Triple-A |
| 4. |
A. Sonnanstine (R) |
His major league debut was on June 5, finished '07 6-10 with a 5.85 ERA |
| 5. |
E. Jackson (R) |
Young arm still has a lot to prove after a team-high 15 losses |
| Closer |
Comment |
| T. Percival (R) |
Angels' all-time saves leader returns to the AL after a successful comeback with STL |
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