14. Tampa Bay Rays

Big League-No team was hurt worse by free agency this offseason than the Tampa Bay Rays.  It was tough to rank them this low, but after making their final move of getting rid of Matt Garza it was inevitable.  The Rays had been a fixture at the top of the AL East with the Yankees and Red Sox the past few seasons, but we don't see how that's possible anymore.  In just one offseason the Rays have lost Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, Matt Garza, Rafael Soriano, Dan Wheeler, and Jason Bartlett. Looking at the Rays big league squad they could be a lot worse than 14 on our list, but their overall organization depth could save them in years to come.  If the season started today their lineup would look like this:
Catcher- John Jaso
1st Base- Dan Johnson
2nd Base- Sean Rodriguez
Shortstop- Reid Brignac
3rd Base- Evan Longoria

Left Field- Desmond Jennings
Center Field- B.J. Upton
Right Field- Ben Zobrist
DH- Matt Joyce
Pitching- David Price, James Shields, Jeff Niemann, Wade Davis, Jeremy Hellickson
Relief- J.P. Howell, Andy Sonnanstine

Top Prospects
RHP Jeremy Hellickson- Going into the 2010 season Baseball America had Hellickson rated as their 18th best prospect and baseball, and after a spectacular season he has only gone higher on our list.  Hellickson had a great season in Triple A with a 12 and 3 record, a 2.45 ERA in 21 starts before getting called up for the Rays.  He finished strong there with a 4 and 0 record and a 3.47 Era in 36 innings.  Hellickson development can be seen as a main reason the Rays felt comfortable trading away Garza, and he could be considered one of the best young arms in baseball.

LHP Matt Moore- Although his 6 and 11 record in high Single A last year doesn’t look impressive, the lefty was absolutely dominant for the Rays farm system last season.  Moore struggled with his control at times last season, but struck out a remarkable 208 batters in only 144 innings.  He features a 92-94 mph fastball with a tight curve and a changeup that should develop with time.  Look for him to pitch in Double and Triple A next season and watch the strikeout's continue to pile up.  Moore is one of the top left handed pitchers in the minors.

OF Desmond Jennings- Although he came into last season as Baseball America's number 6 prospect, he is still ranked below Hellickson, and Moore for us this year.  Jennings statistics dropped across the board in his 2nd year in Triple A, but that could be because he was expecting to see more time in the big leagues last season.  This season he should slot into Carl Crawford's left field spot, and although he won't put up the power numbers Crawford displayed he'll bring speed and defense to the outfield.  If he starts out hot in Spring Training and wins the job, he could be in the consideration for Rookie of the Year.

LHP Jake McGee- The Rays look at McGee as a power arm without a defined role.  Last season he split time between starting and the bullpen, and really excelled in the bullpen for Triple A Durham.  In 17 innings he only allowed 9 hits 3 walks while striking out 27.  Those numbers lead us to believe the Rays may be looking at McGee as the closer of the future.  They may start him in Triple A next season or in the bullpen for the Rays, either way if he wins the closer role have him on your fantasy radar.

OF Josh Sale- Sale was the 17th overall pick in the 2010 draft, and the Rays and many other teams regarded him as the best high school hitter in the draft.  As a senior outfielder at Bishop Blanchet he batted .520 with 5 home runs.  He will begin next season in Single A and his progress will be closely monitored.

Payroll and DirectionAfter years of contending in the toughest division in baseball, the Rays had a fire sale this offseason.  Even though the Rays have lost a lot, there will be plenty of young talent pushing through their system the next few years to help them contend again.  Names like Desmond Jennings, Jeremy Hellickson, and Matt Moore should become household names and on everyone's fantasy radar.  Beware of Evan Longoria's numbers dipping in 2011 with losing the protection of Carlos Pena and Carl Crawford, but he'll still be a stud for years to come.  If the Rays find money to actually sign their young players this time when they develop their top farm system, they will be able to contend again with the Yankees and Red Sox.