2018 Pre-Season Profile: Tampa Bay Rays

#27

The Tampa Bay Rays were very active late in the offseason in a way which left many scratching their head.  Will they be able to compete in 2018 after some of the more recent developments?

2017 Predictions

4th in AL East

Jake Odorizzi and Alex Cobb will be traded mid-season.

2017 Result

80-82, 3rd in AL East

Somehow, every year the Rays find a way to be relevant no matter what their roster looks like.  2017 seemed to be no exception as they almost finished .500 while spending minimum money.  This was mainly behind their incredibly strong pitching staff.  As for my Fearless Prediction, I was right but I just jumped the gun a little.

Additions / Subtractions

This is where the headlines were made this offseason for the Rays.  The Rays either traded or did not re-sign 5 of their top 6 players last year in WAR (Steven Souza, Logan Morrison, Evan Longoria, Corey Dickerson, and Alex Cobb).  They also traded Jake Odorizzi to the Twins.  The only additions to the current roster seem to be inconsequential, with players like C.J. Cron, Denard Span, and Carlos Gomez taking the spots of former Rays mainstays.  This offseason reshaped the Rays unlike any offseason in the franchise's history.

Most Important Hitter

Kevin Kiermaier

The one player in the Rays' top 6 in WAR that is still on the roster is Kevin Kiermaier, who happened to be first on that list.  The Rays' centerfielder is still considered one of the best defenders in the game, and his bat last year started to catch up with his glove.  However, he was also the most outspoken on the roster about his disapproval with the roster moves.  He is going to produce as always, but will he be a cancer in the clubhouse?  His attitude more than his production could help determine what kind of season the Rays have.

Most Important Pitcher

Blake Snell

Even with losing Odorizzi and Cobb, the Rays' rotation has always been their strength, and this year was to be no different.  However, with the losses of phenom Jose De Leon and top prospect Brent Honeywell in Spring Training (both to Tommy John), this once stellar position is now looking a little thin.  The key to their success this year is Blake Snell.  The Rays' former top prospect, Snell is now entering his third year of big league service.  He has been a serviceable starter, but has yet to become the ace everyone was anticipating.  This rotation is topped by Chris Archer, but Snell taking a big step forward would give them one of the best righty/lefty combinations at the top of the rotation in the league.  It could also help make up for what might be a struggling offense.

Prospect to Watch

Willy Adames

I was really looking forward to talking about Brent Honeywell here because I think he is going to be a star, but that will have to wait another year or two now.  The Rays have a very strong farm system, and it is topped by Honeywell and Willy Adames.  Yes, the Rays have prospects that are not pitchers.  Adames has the potential to join the current group of superstar shortstops in the league over the next few years.  If 2018 falls apart, Adames might get his chance to show what he can do sooner rather than later.

2018 Prediction

5th in AL East

This has been such a strange offseason.  Even though we are well into Spring Training, moves are still being made that have major impacts on teams.  I originally said the Rays would finish 3rd in the AL East.  They always seem to find a way to compete no matter what their roster looks like.  Then they traded Steven Souza.  Then they traded Jake Odorizzi.  Then they traded Corey Dickerson.  Then De Leon and Honeywell were out for the season.  In a week or two of Spring Training, they went from being able to compete at .500 baseball again to probably being irrelevant this season.  I hope I am wrong.  Baseball is always more interesting when teams like the Rays and the A's continue to find ways to compete.

Fearless Prediction

Chris Archer and Kevin Kiermaier will be traded mid-season.

Kiermaier is obviously frustrated and wants out of Tampa.  He has been very vocal about that.  Although Archer hasn't been as vocal, there have been trade rumors surrounding him more than any other Ray all offseason.  There is no point in trading away all the talent they did unless you truly start over and trade your most valuable assets.  Kiermaier and Archer are young enough to anchor the new wave, but they will want to compete before then.  Look for them to be at the center of the rumor mill come Trade Deadline in July.