Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays

Ah, arguably the worst team in baseball over the last several seasons. Fortunately, that's far from the truth when it comes to fantasy value, as the Rays have a formidable offense to pair with an improving pitching core. Unfortunately, they pair both of these with a small market team in the AL East.

Lineup

• 2B Akinori Iwamura
  
• LF Carl Crawford
  
• 1B Carlos Pena
  
• CF B.J. Upton
  
• RF Cliff Floyd/Rocco Baldelli
  
• 3B Evan Longoria
  
• DH Johnny Gomes
  
• C Dioner Navarro
  
• SS Jason Barlett

Rotation

• Scott Kazmir
  
• James Shields
  
• Matt Garza
  
• Edwin Jackson
  
• Andy Sonnanstine

Closer Troy Percival

Thoughts...

B.J. Upton isn't the only second-base eligible Rays player worth taking. Iwamura was a force in Japan, and while his number during his first season in the U.S. were weak, any improvement would warrant a roster spot at 2B. Monitor his performance, and if you miss out on the first couple tiers of 2B consider the import.

Replacing Upton at 3B is Evan Longoria, a third overall pick only two seasons ago. He has more upside than players such as Mike Lowell, and due to the poor rookie campaign of overhyped Alex Gordon a lot of drafters are shying away. If a rookie third basemen can put up Ryan Braun numbers, taking a late round flyer on the guy is worth the minor risk.

Upton and Crawford are studs. But the real question is whether Pena will put up numbers like he did last year, hitting for the second most HRs in the American League. My guess is that he won't, but 30-35 with a low BA isn't bad for a utility spot. Just don't depend on him to put up fantasy-league average first base stats.

Rocco Baldelli may have become such an injury risk that he's actually worth drafting as a late round flyer. The kid ran circles around his competition in the minor leagues, but can never seem to stay healthy. I think he could put up 400 ABs this year despite the platoon, and get double digit homers and steals. I don't think he'll get anywhere near 20-20 though.

The pitching is talented, but faces more talented lineups. First things first, the closer(s) of Percival and Reyes are some of the worst closers to take, playing for a bad team and on a short leash. I'm a big fan of Kazmir for strikeouts, but he's starting to show a tendency to start the season off slowly, making him a better trade-target than draft-target. Shields and Garza put up similar peripherals outside of WHIP, and this is why Shields is the guy to target. If your league doesn't take him in the mid-rounds, grab him. He's a very good number three fantasy starter.