MLB Preview 2015: Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays 2014 Record: 77-85
Team overview: It is tough to start this teams overview without mention of the managerial change that has taken place. Joe Maddon has moved on to the Chicago Cubs and while the new manager, Kevin Cash comes from Cleveland and may be a good fit, it is extremely tough to expect him to slip right into the shoes of a former two-time manager of the year.
While this small market club continues to wheel and deal for pieces, they do still have the block to build around in Evan Longoria. Longoria, 29 still has a few years of his prime left and is one of the better all around players in the MLB when he is on top of his game. Sadly for Longoria there is little power at the time to surround him with. James Loney looks to hit cleanup and while he plays first base he is not your typical first base cleanup hitter. Loney is more of an average hitter than a power guy, as his career high in home runs, 15, came all the way back in 2007. Juan Francisco can play first base and has big time power, but his average and inability to hit left handed pitchers makes him a platoon DH at best and can also be a bat on the bench. John Jaso will spend time in that platoon at DH as well taking turns at catcher with Rene Rivera. The rest of the infield will be surrounded by off-season acquisitions Nick Franklin and Asdrubal Cabrera. Both have high upside, but at the same time both have spent the last two seasons failing to meet expectations.
Desmond Jennings, who will play center field, now leads the outfield. Jennings has a decent bat to match his solid glove, but he is slated to be the leadoff hitter for opening day. I am unsure that he can get on base enough to be a productive lead off hitter. The team adds rookie Steven Souza to 24-year-old Kevin Kiermeir to round out the outfield. With little power to be seen in the outfield to go with Evan Longoria potentially carrying an infield it will be a grind for the Rays to produce runs this season.
While they will struggle to score, the good news is that teams should struggle to score on them. For a team that traded their ace David Price last July, they still have loads of pitching coming into the season. Alex Cobb headlines the rotation and I believe he has all the makings of a break out ace. Drew Smyly, Chris Archer, Jake Odorizzi and Alex Colome will look to round out the starting five come opening day. All four are under 26 years old and all are coming off their most promising season to date. The team also has young left hander Matt Moore rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. There should be no rush to get him in the rotation and that is the best news for a player coming off of the procedure. These six names come out without the mention of an almost MLB ready prospect in AAA. Cobb at 27 is oldest of the bunch, which features depth and upside from top to bottom. The bullpen isn’t as glamorous as some teams but with a deep rotation it may not have the big burden on its shoulders that others would.
What to Watch For?
Most of the team was covered above but the two things to watch for starts with that rotation. I am unsure how long this team can remain competitive and as the trade deadline approaches in July, I would expect that the Rays to be possible sellers. With youth and a lot of potential in the rotation it really wouldn’t hurt much to move a piece from it. While Cobb has two years of arbitration left, the Rays will have to use that time to decide if he is worth the long-term contract that they refused to give David Price and James Shields. If the right team and the right package comes along I don’t think the Rays would laugh it away, but at the same time I would anticipate they move one of the smaller names for the time being, as they look to find a core lineup.
The other thing to watch for should be in the opening day lineup and that is rookie Steven Souza. Souza was acquired from the Nationals this off-season and he appears ready to take on his first full MLB season. Souza showed flashes of 20-20 potential and I think his speed is the most polished attribute that he can bring, not only in the field, but also at the plate and, on the base paths. Souza was ripping AAA apart last season and if his hitting can translate he will be a huge addition to the Rays lineup. Also if he could consistently get on base he has lead off potential and that would push Desmond Jennings into the second spot, which is where I really see him thriving most. It won’t happen over night but I would watch to see if Souza could eventually become that player that the Rays will need.
Where Do They Rank?
Aside from the young pitching there is little to get excited over when questioning how well the Rays can compete this year. I think with a new manager and young core that they are not quite where the other teams are in this division. They may not fall off the face of the earth but I would rank them 5th in the division and I think it will be a grind for a .500 record.
