30 Teams in 30 Days: Tampa Bay Rays

2011 Record: 91-71

Key Additions: Jeff Keppinger, Josh Lueke, Jose Molina, Carlos Pena, Fernando Rodney, Luke Scott

Subtractions: Johnny Damon, John Jaso, Dan Johnson, Kelly Shoppach, Andy Sonnanstine

2012 Outlook: As it has been since the Rays became competitive in 2008, the Rays strength isn`t their hitting, but it is their pitching. Led by James Shields, the Rays have arguably the best rotation in the MLB, and they are only getting better. Behind Shields is David Price,2011 AL Rookie of the Year winner, Jeremy Hellickson, Matt Moore, and Jeff Niemann. The #1 prospect in the MLB according too many, Moore, has amazing stuff, and will make Shields a number two starter come 2013, at least in my mind. The truly amazing part about the Rays staff isn't how good it is, and it's amazing, it's the depth that the rays posses. This spring, Niemann and Wade Davis competed for the #5 spot in the rotation. While Niemann won, it's ridiculous that Wade Davis, a pitcher who would be a 3/4 pitcher on most teams, was not able to make the rotation. The 1-4 guys on the Rays are as good as anybodies in the game, even the Angels. I would not be surprised if the Rays starting staff as a whole this year had an ERA under 3.00 in 2012, and that is just the beginning for this young and upcoming group.

After finishing in the middle of the pack of the MLB in 2011 in runs scored, with 707, the Rays decided that if they were going to want a chance at the World Series again, they would need a better offence. So, they went and brought back Carlos Pena after a 1-year deal with the Cubs. Pena, won't hit for average, but he gets on base (.352 career mark) and he crushes the ball (34.4 HR's a year since 2007). Pena will bat 4th in the Rays lineup, right behind All Star third baseman Evan Longoria in the three hole. Longoria, 26, hit 31 long balls in 2011, and he missed the first month of the season due to injury. He's got a nice sweet swing, and will benefit greatly with the acquisition of Pena. Except for Desmond Jennings in Center, the rest of the lineup is pretty average, which is the reason they struggle at times. My concern is Jose Molina. The former Blue Jay signed a 1 year deal with Tampa in the off-season, and has been given the starters role behind the dish. Molina has never been a starting worthy catcher, and at age 36, he is definitely not one now. If Jennings has a good sophomore campaign, and a 4th offensive star rises in this lineup, then the Rays will go far this October.

The Final Count: 93-69

The Rays have the potential to win 162 with their staff. Although that will not happen, 100 is in range of this club if the pitching lives up to the hype, and a 4th offensive contributor appears. 93 is realistic due to the lack of offense, and the young pitching staff.

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30 Teams in 30 Days: Pittsburgh Pirates

2011 Record: 72-90

Key Additions: AJ Burnett (P), Casey McGehee (3B/1B), Nate McLouth (OF), Erik Bedard (P), Clint Barmes (2B/SS), Rod Barajas (C), Jo-Jo Reyes (P)

Subtractions: Jose Veras (P), Ronny Cedeno (SS), Paul Maholm (P), Ryan Doumit (C), Chris Synder (C), Brian Burres (P), Derrick Lee (1B), Ryan Ludwick (OF)

2012 Outlook: After spending 2010 in the basement of the MLB finishing a major league worst 57-105, the Pirates had arguably their best season in 19 years, going in to the All-Star break with a record above .500 for the first time since 1992, and were in first place in the NL Central as late as July 25. Unfortunately, the Pirates could not maintain that momentum and plummeted through the rest of the summer finishing with a 72-90 record and their 19^th consecutive season with a record under .500. However, many Pirates fans and people around baseball are buzzing about the Pirates as the first half of 2011 showed the world that the Pirates have the talent to succeed in the first half, now they just need to finish stronger and 2012 is looking like a good years for fans of the Bucs.

The Pirates definitely benefit from playing in what is one of baseball’s weakest divisions, and the playing field opened up this year as Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder both left for the American League and the Cardinals and Brewers obviously won’t be able to fill those voids quickly. However, the Pirates also made what could likely be one of the biggest offseason moves in all of the National League when they traded for the Yankees black sheep and former Blue Jay, AJ Burnett. They have him for the next two years and only have to pay him a total of $13 million, while the Yankees will pay the other remaining $20 million. It was a shrewd deal that couldn’t have benefited any other team as much as it benefits the Pirates. They desperately needed the frontline starter that a player like AJ Burnett provides. He’s durable, logs a lot of innings, and I believe that being back in the NL, he will again be the efficient and successful starting pitcher the Pirates so desperately need.

While the Pirates weren’t behind any other earth-shaking deals in the offseason, they did make some very smart upgrades, and filled some of the holes created by offseason departures. Erik Bedard and Jo-Jo Reyes both represent low-risk high reward signings that could really benefit the Pirates, and the addition of Rod Barajas as backstop to fill in for the departing Ryan Doumit and Chris Synder is key as he can contribute both offensively and defensively. Clint Barmes represents an upgrade over Ronny Cedeno, who had his 2012 option declined by the Pirates, and Casey McGehee represents some much needed infield depth and a possible stop gap at first. However, if the playoffs are going to be in the Pirates future anytime soon, they will need big contributions from their young upcoming talents and they will need their veterans to really produce, and they just aren’t their yet.

The Final Count: 76 – 86, Fourth in NL Central

However, success in Pittsburgh doesn’t necessarily mean making the postseason. A strong season from the Pirates resulting in their first winning season in 20 years would be something to celebrate in Pittsburgh, and would definitely be a step in the right direction. It’s very difficult for Pittsburgh to recruit the talent they need to make that final step into the postseason, and winning seasons over the next few years will do a great deal in turning them back into a team that wasn’t a perennial basement dweller, but a team that could be post-season threat in the NL Central. Granted, we at Blue Jays Plus have the Bucs finishing the season with their 20^th consecutive losing season with 76-86 record, that was before the AJ Burnett signing, and if he can have the season I expect he can (once he recovers from his most recent injury), the Pirates could very well be on the way to their first winning season in 20 years.

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