I’m going to try my hardest to objectively rate these next two teams while ignoring the raging inferno of hatred in my heart.

Tampa Bay Rays

Rotation:

1. James Shields
2. Scott Kazmir
3. Matt Garza
4. Andy Sonnanstine
5. David Price

Price was actually sent down to AAA, but I have a feeling he’ll get “The Longoria Treatment”.  By that, I don’t mean he’ll wed a French basketball player, rather, his stay in the minors will be very short.  I’m not the biggest Sonnanstine fan, but he’s somehow been able to get it done in Tampa.  The other three guys all range from good to excellent.  Price, from what I’ve seen from him last September/October, might be the best of the bunch. A sure fire ace, if healthy.

Rotation Grade: A-

Bullpen:

Troy Percival (CL)
Dan Wheeler
Grant Balfour
J.P. Howell
Brian Shouse
Joe Nelson
Jeff Niemann

Neither Percival nor Wheeler really impress me with their stuff, but they both seem to rise to the occasion in late inning situations. The rest of the pen, however, is pretty good.  Balfour, Howell, and Nelson are all guys who could be closer candidates on other teams, and Niemann is a solid swingman with high potential.

Bullpen grade: B+

Offense:

1. CF B.J. Upton
2. LF Carl Crawford
3. 3B Evan Longoria
4. 1B Carlos Pena
5. DH Pat Burrell
6. RF Gabe Gross
7. C Dioner Navarro
8. 2B Akinori Iwamura
9. SS Jason Bartlett

Bench:
C Shawn Riggans
INF Ben Zobrist
INF Willy Aybar
OF Gabe Kapler

Top of the order should be fine, assuming Upton manages to regain some of the power stroke he alarmingly lost in 2008.  The bottom of the order will be a weakness, as will their paper-thin bench (hello Gabe Kapler).

Offensive Grade: B

Fielding: Very strong.  Upton was a terrible infielder when he first arrived on the scene, but he played quite well in CF last year.  The infield and outfield are both terrific in Tampa Bay.

Fielding Grade: A

Overall Grade: 79.8 (B+)

Later this morning: NY

This afternoon: The Sox.

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