The Tampa Bay Rays would need some luck, but it is possible that they can dethrone the New York Yankees in 2020.
Major League Baseball did not do the Tampa Bay Rays any favors at their inception. Placed in a division with the seemingly unlimited spending of the New York Yankees, and another major market team with the Boston Red Sox, the Rays found themselves at a disadvantage from the beginning. As payroll concerns continued, Tampa Bay became those plucky underdogs, somehow managing to contend through innovation and an ability to produce top prospects at a rate that is unmatched in the game.
Heading into 2020, the Rays are in familiar territory. While the Red Sox are in the midst of what appears to be a roster reset, the Yankees are once again looking to become the Evil Empire. They have added Gerrit Cole to an already formidable roster, seemingly cementing their status as the premier team in the AL East. Tampa Bay is, once again, reduced to an underdog role.
But that is exactly how the Rays like it. Yes, they moved Tommy Pham and Emilio Pagan in separate deals to the Padres, but they do have other options at those positions. Besides, those types of trades are a part of the Rays modus operandi.
Even with those deals, the Rays may be in a better position than they were last season. The rotation should be back to full strength, with Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell fully healthy. Brent Honeywell should be ready to contribute at the major league level in the second half. Tampa Bay also has enviable rotation depth, with the likes of Trevor Richards, Anthony Banda, and Ryan Yarbrough.
Likewise, the bullpen has plenty of depth as well. Nick Anderson, the former Marlins closer who was acquired last year, should slot right in as the Rays new ninth inning pitcher. Diego Castillo, Oliver Drake, and Colin Poche are a solid trio ahead of him. Chaz Roe may be one of the more underrated relievers in the game. The bullpen is still a strength, even without Pagan.
And then there is the Rays lineup. They have focused on having a great deal of positional flexibility, allowing manager Kevin Cash to be able to mix and match depending on the opposition. That gives the Rays the ability to create as much of an advantage as possible in the lineup, allowing the scrappy underdogs to have more than a puncher’s chance against those opponents with astronomical payrolls.
As it stands, the Yankees are already starting to have injury concerns. James Paxton will miss at least the first month. Luis Severino has tightness in his forearm, which is never a good sign. Domingo German is suspended. The rotation, which looked like a buzzsaw after they signed Cole, is not quite what it was. The Rays have a chance.
If the Tampa Bay Rays are to take down the New York Yankees, a lot will need to break their way. Right now, those breaks are doing exactly that. With their depth and flexibility, the Rays are not going to let the AL East crown go without a battle.