They Took the Devil Outta Tampa

Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays 2007 Record: 66-96 (5th in AL East)
2008 Prediction: 4th in AL East


In

• Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett (MIN) - acquired for Delmon Young, Brendan Harris and Jason Pridie - 11/28/07
  
• Troy Percival (STL) - signed to a 2 year, $8 million contract - 11/30/07
  
• Cliff Floyd (CHC) - signed to a 1 year, $2.75 million contract with club option for 2009 - 12/17/07
  
• Willy Aybar (ATL) - acquired for Jeff Ridgway - 1/17/08
  
• Mike DiFelice (NYM) - signed to a minor league contract- 1/7/08
  
• John Rodriguez (STL) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/4/08
  
• Al Reyes (TB) - 2008 $2.3 million club option exercised - 11/14/07
  

Out

• Delmon Young, Brendan Harris, Jason Pridie (MIN) - traded for Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett - 11/28/07
  
• Jae Seo (Korea) - signed with Korean Baseball League - 12/11/07
  
• Shawn Camp (TOR) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/7/08
  
• Elijah Dukes (WAS) - traded for a Glenn Gibson - 12/3/08
  
• Brian Stokes (NYM) - traded for cash - 11/28/07
• Raul Casanova (NYM) - signed to a minor league contract - 12/13/07
  

Remaining Free Agents

• Greg Norton
  
• Jorge Velandia
  
• Jay Witasick
  

Projected Opening Day Starters
C - Dioner Navarro
1B - Carlos Pena
2B - Akinori Iwamura
3B - Evan Longoria
SS - Jason Bartlett
LF - Carl Crawford
CF - B.J. Upton
RF - Cliff Floyd/Rocco Baldelli
DH - Jonny Gomes/Cliff Floyd

Projected Opening Day Rotation
Scott Kazmir
James Shields
Matt Garza
Edwin Jackson
Andy Sonnanstine

Projected Opening Day Closer
Al Reyes/Troy Percival/Dan Wheeler

Improvements: Garza will most likely start the season as the Rays' number three starter, behind Kazmir and James Shields. In two seasons with the Minnesota Twins, he compiled an 8-13 record with a 4.47 ERA and 105 strikeouts. With the Rays, he has a full-time rotation spot, and the chance to develop and mature (the Twins' rotation is rather crowded, and Garza may have been sharing a spot). Percival joins Dan Wheeler and Al Reyes as possible closer candidates, all of which have experience in that role.
Lack of improvement: Navarro is still young and has the ability to have a breakout season. And the Rays seem to be banking on that season being in 2008. But if it's not, they do not exactly have a terrific plan B. Shawn Riggans is currently the backup to Navarro, and he has played a total of 13 Major League games in his 2-year career. There are still a number of veteran catchers available to be used as a fail-safe in case Navarro should falter.
Keys to success: Kazmir has electric, filthy stuff. But he also has shown a knack for getting injured. The Rays are poised to have a fun, exciting season in 2008 and might even challenge some of the powerhouses in the division. But for that to be a reality, Kaz will have to stay healthy and provide the Rays with the ace pitcher that he can be.