Rise of the Rays

We are a little over a month away from the opening of spring training.  As it stands now, here’s how I see the 25-man roster shaping up.

Catcher (2) – Dioner Navarro, Kelly Shoppach

IF (7) – Carlos Pena, Ben Zobrist, Jason Bartlett, Evan Longoria, Willy Aybar, Reid Brignac, Sean Rodriguez

OF (4) – Carl Crawford, BJ Upton, Matt Joyce, Gabe Kapler

DH (1) – Pat Burrell

SP (5) – James Shields, David Price, Matt Garza, Wade Davis, Jeff Niemann

RP (6) – Rafael Soriano, JP Howell, Grant Balfour, Dan Wheeler, Randy Choate, Lance Cormier

Yes, at this point, I left both Reid Brignac and Sean Rodriguez in the 25.  But, it would seem to me if the Rays decide they want an extra arm in the bullpen, one of those two will go.  Andy Sonnanstine would figure to get some consideration if that were to happen.

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So, are there any holes to fill?  Is this the roster the Rays should be comfortable with going into the 2010 season? 

As far as I’m concerned, the Rays bolstered the back-end of the bullpen with the acquisition of Rafael Soriano.  This allows the rest of the bullpen to be used in the same way that they were used in 2008.  The closer-by-committe concept seems to throw the entire bullpen into disarray and hopefully will never be used again.

Having said that, if I were going to tweak anything about the roster, it would be the bullpen.  Kiko Calero, Joe Beimel, Guillermo Mota and Octavio Dotel are all relievers I’d keep an eye on.  As we get closer to February and free agents get anxious, maybe an experienced reliever will find his way to Tampa Bay.   

But what about bats?  The Rays re-signed Gabe Kapler early in the off-season.  I just find it hard to believe that the Rays couldn’t have found a better alternative than Kapler.  It’s hard to say what the Rays could get at the same price range.  But, for sentimental value, wouldn’t you like to make a run at Jonny Gomes?  Or, if you could guarantee his health, what about Rocco Baldelli?