'08 RAPs: Tampa Bay Rays

After a dismal 66-93 2007 season, you'd usually expect a team to be pessimistic about the next year. This is not the case with the Rays. They have by far the best farm system in the game, and will be looking for contributions from the likes of Evan Longoria, Jeff Niemann, and quite possibly the first man ever taken in a televised MLB Rule 4 draft, David Price. The Rays have also picked up talent via free agency and the trade market this year:

Traded Delmon Young, Brendan Harris, and Jason Pridie to the Twins for Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett: While I still think the Twins won this deal, it will certainly help out the Rays.

Traded Jeff Ridgeway to Atlanta for Willy Aybar.

Signed Cliff Floyd to a one-year deal with an option for 2009.

Signed Troy Percival to a 2-year deal.

Signed pitcher Trever Miller to a one-year contract.

Signed utility man Eric Hinske to a one-year deal.

Quick Rundown:

Cather: Dioner Navarro
1B: Carlos Pena
2B: Akinori Iwamura
SS: Jason Bartlett
3B: Evan Longoria
LF: Carl Crawford
CF: B.J. Upton
RF: Cliff Floyd
DH: Rocco Baldelli

Rotation:

SP1: Scott Kazmir
SP2: Matt Garza
SP3: James Shield
SP4: Andy Sonnanstine/Edwin Jackson
SP5: Jeff Niemann/Jason Hammel/David Price

Stay Tuned: Tomorrow I will be covering the Orioles.


Also, the reason this post may seem unorganized is I was having trouble with some of the tools, such as, centering, bullets, etc.