Tampa Bay Rays: Top Five Players

Jul 8, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) pitches during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 8, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) pitches during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
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Aug 15, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Tampa Bay Rays ball cap and glove during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers defeated the Rays 12-4. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Nearing the end of another disappointing year, the Tampa Bay Rays will have some questions to answer this offseason. For now, take a look at the top five players their roster has to offer.

The Tampa Bay Rays seem to be a team that is stuck in neutral for the time being. They have some great pieces but not a big enough market or budget to allow them to compete in the American League East right now.

The AL East has been dominant this season. Currently the Rays are the only team in the division that is not expecting to be in the postseason. Even the Yankees (who were sellers at the break) have managed to put themselves in a position where they may claim one of the two Wild Card spots.

Which direction the Rays will choose to go in will be an interesting situation to watch this winter. With plenty of attractive pieces if they become sellers they could easily re-stock their farm and make their team’s future instantly brighter.

They could also make the decision to go all-in with their core players and improve both their outfield and starting rotation behind Chris Archer. For now, though, the Rays are last in their division and look to be in need of some help this offseason. Until then who are the current top players on the Rays roster?

That question is surprisingly difficult to answer with a few exceptions. The Rays roster seems to be one full of players with upside who just haven’t lived up to expectations or past performances. Here are the top current Rays players.

Next: Number Five