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MLB • 1 year ago

5 Biggest Tampa Bay Rays X-Factors Heading Into 2015 MLB Season

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Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

5 Biggest Tampa Bay Rays X-Factors Heading Into 2015 MLB Season

RaysatFenway — After going a disappointing 77-85 and later losing longtime manager Joe Maddon to the Chicago Cubs, the Tampa Bay Rays are set to usher in a brand-new era under first-year manager Kevin Cash. Here are five X-factors that could help to determine how the Rays fare in an ever-competitive AL East division during the 2015 season.

After going a disappointing 77-85 and later losing longtime manager Joe Maddon to the Chicago Cubs, the Tampa Bay Rays are set to usher in a brand-new era under first-year manager Kevin Cash. Here are five X-factors that could help to determine how the Rays fare in an ever-competitive AL East division during the 2015 season.

5. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS

5. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS

AsdrubalCabreraCopy — Obviously, the Rays are going to have a bit of a new-look club in 2015, and one of their new faces will be Asdrubal Cabrera. It has been a few years now, but Cabrera is still a guy who showed 25-homer pop back in 2011. Considering he is only 29, he should still have quite a bit of upside.

Obviously, the Rays are going to have a bit of a new-look club in 2015, and one of their new faces will be Asdrubal Cabrera. It has been a few years now, but Cabrera is still a guy who showed 25-homer pop back in 2011. Considering he is only 29, he should still have quite a bit of upside.

4. Grant Balfour, RHP

4. Grant Balfour, RHP

GrantBalfourCopy — Grant Balfour's second stint with the Rays got off to a rocky start in 2014, as he posted a 4.91 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. That said, he had a 38-save season with the Oakland A's as recently as 2013, and even though he is now set to enter his age-37 season, a bounce-back year should not be out of the question.

Grant Balfour's second stint with the Rays got off to a rocky start in 2014, as he posted a 4.91 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. That said, he had a 38-save season with the Oakland A's as recently as 2013, and even though he is now set to enter his age-37 season, a bounce-back year should not be out of the question.

3. Jake McGee, LHP

3. Jake McGee, LHP

JakeMcGeeCopy — One of the biggest bright spots for the Rays in 2014 was reliever Jake McGee, who posted a 1.89 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and an 11.36 K/9 last season. Following elbow surgery, however, he is expected to begin the 2015 season on the DL. Once he is healthy, he will obviously be a big difference maker in the Rays' bullpen if he continues to pitch the way he did last season.

One of the biggest bright spots for the Rays in 2014 was reliever Jake McGee, who posted a 1.89 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and an 11.36 K/9 last season. Following elbow surgery, however, he is expected to begin the 2015 season on the DL. Once he is healthy, he will obviously be a big difference maker in the Rays' bullpen if he continues to pitch the way he did last season.

2. Evan Longoria, 3B

2. Evan Longoria, 3B

EvanLongocopy — By all accounts, Evan Longoria had another solid season in 2014, slashing .253/.320/.404 with 22 homers and a 107 wRC+. However, he was not exactly the 6.8 fWAR player he was in 2013 either. As always, Longoria is going to be a major part of the Rays' lineup in 2015, and as long as he is healthy, he will be counted on to produce.

By all accounts, Evan Longoria had another solid season in 2014, slashing .253/.320/.404 with 22 homers and a 107 wRC+. However, he was not exactly the 6.8 fWAR player he was in 2013 either. As always, Longoria is going to be a major part of the Rays' lineup in 2015, and as long as he is healthy, he will be counted on to produce.

1. Starting Rotation

1. Starting Rotation

AlexCobbcopy — Even after trading David Price to the Detroit Tigers, the Rays still have a very solid starting rotation. Once Matt Moore returns, he could very well combine with Chris Archer and Alex Cobb to make a stellar 1-2-3. Newcomer Drew Smyly was also very impressive in seven starts with the Rays last season, and Jake Odorizzi could be a breakout candidate as well. The talent on the Rays' staff should most certainly not be underestimated.

Even after trading David Price to the Detroit Tigers, the Rays still have a very solid starting rotation. Once Matt Moore returns, he could very well combine with Chris Archer and Alex Cobb to make a stellar 1-2-3. Newcomer Drew Smyly was also very impressive in seven starts with the Rays last season, and Jake Odorizzi could be a breakout candidate as well. The talent on the Rays' staff should most certainly not be underestimated.

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Brad Faber is a writer for RantSports. Like him on Facebook.

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