2010 Tampa Bay Rays

So as the lone Tampa Bay Rays fan in NJ, a lot of people are asking me what they're gonna do in the offseason. And being the awesome Rays expert I am, here are my predictions by position:

Catcher:
This is a hard one. In 2008 Dioner Navarro was a key player for their world series berth, but 2009 Navarro struggled at the plate. I think it was a slump he'll break out of with some practice in 2010, and he's still on the young side. Zaun was a great late addition in 09 but he is 37 and being an everyday player could be out of the question. So here is my prediction. We decline Zaun's option and send him to free agency, keep navarro and have michel hernandez, a great defensive player and not a bad offensive player, as the back up catcher.

First Base:
Carlos Pena...obviously. Chris Richard will never be in the majors again. Willy Aybar to back up.

Second Base:
Call me ballsy, but my prediction for this is that Sean Rodriguez is going to be the opening day second baseman. Back up will be Reid Brignac, don't worry, we'll get to Ben Zobrist.

Short Stop:
Jason Barlett will be the everyday short stop. backed up by Reid Brignac or Will Aybar.

Third Base:
Evan Longoria...who else?! Backed up by Willy Aybar

Left Field:
CARL CRAWFORD! No the rays are not going to get rid of him. He is tooooooo goooooodd and beneficial to the team's winning to let him go. Sure he has a 10 million dollar option, but in the 10 years he played for the rays hes only made 13.1 million when he was valued at making that much a year. "But what big salary are they going to cut?" you ask!

Center Field:
goodbye BJ Upton. I see him being traded (but not to an AL East team, dare I say a NL team?). With Desmond Jennings, another speedster, sitting in the minors, I don't see a reason to keep BJ Upton, with him smugness and his lack of hustle at times. Desmond Jennings is the opening day center fielder.

Right Field:
BZ making it look EZ. Of the 7 positions Ben Zobrist played in 2009, I think right field would be a good fit. Put him in right field for Right Handed Pitching and Put Gabe Kapler in right field for Lefties.

DH:
We're obviously keeping Pat Burrell for the final year of his contract, so hopefully he could show up this season. Ben Zobrist could also make a good DH.

Starting Rotation:
1. Matt Garza
2. James Shields
3. Jeff Niemann
4. Wade Davis
5. David Price

David Price didn't really prove himself in his first full season, but Wade Davis did prove himself in his first start. thats why he gets the four spot and Price gets 5. And I believe that Andy Sonnanstine will be in the bullpen.




your opinions?