MLB Team by Team: 2008 Tampa Bay Rays

This is year thirteen of the of the Tampa Bay Rays' existence (10 on the field), and the team brass felt it was well past time for a change. They've dropped the "Devil" from their name, are getting ready to stop playing in the warehouse named Tropicana Field, and, they hope, moving up in the American League East.

And the attitude's changing, too. They're playing harder, going faster, and, apparently, getting under the big boys' skin, if the New York Yankees' behavior this spring is any indicator. The team record for wins in a season is 70, reached in 2004. Can the Rays better that this year?

OFFENSE: C

Even without Delmon Young, traded to Minnesota for some much needed pitching, the Rays still have one of the youngest, most dynamic offenses in the league. Left fielder Carl Crawford (.315, 80 RBI, 50 steals) is high on everyone's wish list. Who wouldn't want a speedster with moderate power and good defensive skills? Pair him with B.J. Upton in center (.300, 24 homers and 82 RBI), and, when healthy, Rocco Baldelli in right, and the outfield shines brightly in the St. Petersburg sun. First baseman Carlos Pena is coming off a monstrous season (.282, 46 and 121), and if his production even comes close to that this year, who knows how many runs this team can put up.

PROJECTED LINEUP: 1 Iwamura 2B 2 Crawford LF 3 Upton CF 4 Pena 1B 5 Floyd DH 6 Langoria 3B 7 Gomes RF (until Baldelli's return, at least) 8 Navarro C 9 Bartlett SS

STARTING PITCHING: C-

The starting pitching is even looking halfway decent for the Rays this season. Scott Kazmir (13-9, 3.48 ERA) is beginning to look like the ace the Rays thought he could be, and James Shields (12-8, 3.85) looked great at times last season as well. The much needed pitching the Rays got for Young came in the form of Matt Garza (5-7, 3.69), so if all thing pan out as hoped, Tampa Bay will have a one-two-three punch that could turn some heads in the league this year.

PROJECTED ROTATION: Kazmir, Shields, Garza, Jackson, Sonnanstine

BULLPEN: D-

The big problem, as it has been for many years now, is the bullpen, where leads go to die, and this season is no different. In an effort to give the 'pen some veteran leadership, the Rays went out and got Troy Percival, he of the 324 career saves. Two problems: he hasn't closed full-time since his last season with the Angels in 2004, and he turns 40 in August. So, Al Reyes, who actually did pretty well as closer (26 of 30 save opportunities) will set him up, and may be waiting to step back in should Father Time throw Percival a curve. The crew that was last year's disaster remains this year's disaster, so the closer may be the least of manager Joe Maddon's problems.

CONCLUSION

Things are looking up for the Rays. A new stadium in beautiful downtown St. Pete is coming, bringing new revenue with it, they'll almost assuredly climb out of the basement with the continued collapse of the Baltimore Orioles, and they've got the league's attention with their hard-nosed play. While it won't get them to .500 this year, it does get them closer. All improvements, in the Rays' case, are cause for celebration.

PREDICTION: 75-87, fourth in American League East