Spring Training Preview: Rays

During a busy offseason, the Rays changed their name (dropping the Devil), their team colors (from green to blue) and their attitude (acknowledging it was time to stop building and start winning).

But as they prepare for the spring training, they know the biggest change has to occur on the field as they seek to surpass 70 wins for the first time.

The Rays filled several holes in free agency by signing a veteran closer in Troy Percival, a much needed lefty reliever in Trever Miller and a left-handed power hitter in Cliff Floyd, and they also acquired via trades a No. 3 starter (Matt Garza), a frontline shortstop (Jason Bartlett) and a super utility player (Willy Aybar).

In addition, they solidified their future by signing first baseman Carlos Pena to a three-year deal (buying out one year of free agency) and right-hander James Shields to a deal that could be for seven years and by avoiding arbitration with left-hander Scott Kazmir and outfielder Jonny Gomes.

But they still have a number of significant questions, none bigger than the health of outfielder Rocco Baldelli, who was limited to 35 games last season because of sore hamstrings, and the status of third base prospect Evan Longoria, the elite rookie who might not get the chance to compete for a job.

The Rays are cautiously optimistic Baldelli will be back but are tempering their enthusiasm and planning to limit him to DH duties if necessary. Longoria's status could be determined before he even gets on the field, but he hopes the Rays let him take his shot.
Other questions that have to be answered:
—How will Akinori Iwamura handle the move from third base to second?
—Will Dioner Navarro be the prospect from the second half of 2007 (.285 avg., 8 HR, 31 RBI, .815 OPS) or the suspect from the first half (.177, 1, HR, 13 RBI, .491 OPS)?
—Can Al Reyes, bumped back to the eighth inning with the signing of Percival, be as effective as last season, when he had 26 saves?
—How close will Pena come to his remarkable 46-homer, 121-RBI performance of last season?

There doesn't seem to be any doubt the Rays are better. But there is no way yet to know how much better.


WHERE, WHEN: Progress Energy Park at Al Lang Field, St. Petersburg, Fla. First exhibition is Feb. 29 against Cincinnati.


TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: Akinori Iwamura is shifting from third base to second, but if he can handle that move as expected, he could make a huge difference if he becomes more comfortable at the plate in his second season in the majors. Though he showed a quick bat at time, Iwamura hit only seven home runs and had just 38 extra-base hits in his first season since coming over from Japan.


TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: RHP Dan Wheeler was re-signed for $2.875 million to avoid arbitration, but the Rays don't know what they are getting—Wheeler is coming off a rough season in which he went 1-9, 5.30 for the Astros and Rays and didn't have command of his fastball. Even with a move from the eighth-inning to the seventh, his performance could be an issue.


AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Joe Maddon, 127-197 in his first two seasons, brings an upbeat personality and always positive outlook, but with his two-year option picked up and an improved team, he is expected to show a heavier hand and exert more authority. Pitching coach Jim Hickey, who was arrested on DUI charges after the season finale, was retained in part to maintain continuity; when hired last year he was the Rays' seventh pitching coach in seven seasons.