The Tampa Bay Rays were stellar during last season’s playoff run and they have been nothing short of fabulous this offseason. RBI Magazine has learned from various news sources that last year’s American League Champions have agreed to terms with relief pitchers Grant Balfour and right-hander Lance Cormier. Cormier who played with the Orioles in 2008 was never offered a contract after becoming a free agent. The Rays signed Cormier for a one year term that appears to be in the $675K range. Grant Balfour accepted a one year offer as well, worth $1.4MM.
On January 5th, 2009 the Rays acquired Pat “the bat” Burrell from the world champion Phillies. On Tuesday the Rays added Gabe Kapler in an attempt to bolster their right-handed hitting depth.
With the addition of a few key players both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball, RBI Magazine was wondering just how good was the Rays lineup becoming. We found exactly what we needed over at RaysIndex.com! If the season was to start today this is what the guys over at RaysIndex.com have projected as the starting lineup/rotation;
2B Akinori Iwamura
LF Carl Crawford
CF B.J. Upton
1B Carlos Pena
3B Evan Longoria
DH Pat Burrell
RF Gabe Gross
C Dioner Navarro
SS Jason Bartlett
Working the pine but seeing the field on a regular basis is projected to be; Gabe Kapler, Willy Aybar, Ben Zobrist, and Shawn Riggans. RaysIndex.com says Gabe Kapler will start against lefties in right field. Willy Aybar and Ben Zobrist figure to see plenty of playing time at various positions.
The starting rotation seems to be becoming more potent than ever including starting pitchers James Shields, Scott Kazmir, Matt Garza, and Andy Sonnanstine. The Rays closers include; 
Grant Balfour, JP Howell, Chad Bradford, Joe Nelson, and Lance Cormier.
One thing is for sure, the Rays have plenty of solid options in the bullpen and in the outfield. The team’s greatest challenge will will be trying to figure out who will play where. With that being said, the Rays are already well equipped for the 2009 season and I am sure they are ready to slap a sting on Philly during the first week of the 2009 season.
***April Games To Watch
4/3/2009 Tampa Bay@ Philadelphia – Opening Day Preseason at Citizen’s Bank Park (RBI Magazine will be in attendance)….
4/6/2009 Tampa Bay@ Boston – Opening Day at Fenway Park
4/13/2009 Tampa Bay vs. New York Yankees – Home Opener at Tropicana Field
These fantasic pictures have been released under the Creative Commons license by Keith Allison of Flicker.
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