Jan 31 2009
Tampa Bay Rays Serious About 2009
The Tampa Bay Rays have made it evident that they are serious about the 2009 season. In the off season, they have raised their payroll for 2009 to $60 million. Though this number pales in comparison to that of the Boston Red Sox who will be at $135 million or the New York Yankees who will be at $205 million, I think that the Rays have ensured their place in the top 3 for 2009.
In 2008, the opening day salary of the Rays was at $24 million, so this increase is going to be 2.5 times higher. With that said, I do not think that they will be 2.5 times better. However, I do think that they will be better. The addition of Pat Burrell alone betters the team, but that is just a drop in the bucket. Players like B.J. Upton and Ryan Longoria now having a year under their belt and having the playoff experience makes them better players. The emergance of David Price gives the Rays a pitcher that they did not know that they had. The maturity of James Shields is going to be huge.
All in all, if the Yankees and Red Sox do not think that the Florida team is for real, they need to think again.
