Next up we have the Tampa Bay Rays. Although the Rays haven't made a lot of noise this offseason, this team still returns enough key pieces to make a run at the AL East title. With reigning AL Cy Young award winner David Price leading the rotation, this team can go as far as he can take them. Another important factor for the Rays will be to hopefully have Evan Longoria healthy for a full season. When Longoria was out for 13 weeks last year the Rays were a different team. In the 85 games that he missed the Rays were barely above .500 going just 44-41 in that span. When he returned the Rays ended up finishing a solid 49-28. I predict that if Longoria can stay healty, and Price can continue to play strong, this team will challenge the Blue Jays for the AL East crown.
Potential Opening Day Lineup 1) Ben Zobrist RF 2) Desmond Jennings CF 3) Evan Longoria 3B 4) Matt Joyce LF 5) Yunel Escobar SS 6) Luke Scott DH 7) Kelly Johnson 2B 8) Jose Molina C 9) James Loney 1B | Potential Opening Rotation 1) David Price 2) Jeremy Hellickson 3) Matt Moore 4) Alex Cobb 5) Jeff Niemann |