The questions this time last season were quite different. Which team would the Rays face in the first round of the playoffs? Who would pitch the opener? How much could Carl Crawford contribute? Who'd get the last couple of spots on the playoff roster? And which pours better, beer or champagne? This year the questions are much bigger-picture, the kind to be debated into the offseason that starts next Sunday, much sooner than the Rays hoped, while eight other teams play on. Here are 18 to get you started:
1. Any chance Joe Maddon will be replaced?
In a word, no. Maddon hasn't had the magic touch he showed in 2008, but he didn't get that dumb, either. Were some of their problems his fault? Sure. But blame also has to go to the players for not performing when given the chance, and to the front office for the players they gave him. Plus there's the three-year extension he got in May.
2. Will Carl Crawford's $10 million option be picked up?
Absolutely. There's no way the Rays let him walk for what — even for their tight budget — is a pretty good deal. Consider this: There were 76 players this season who made more than $10 million.
3. How about Akinori Iwamura's $4.85 million option?
Nope. Well, most likely not. Iwamura is a good player, and they might be interested at a lower price. But unless the Rays think there's a sign-and-trade deal to be had, they'll let him become a free agent.
4. Gregg Zaun's $2 million option?
Probably not. Zaun was what the Rays wanted down the stretch, which basically was someone better than Dioner Navarro. He handled the pitchers, blocked balls, swung a decent bat and added energy and professionalism. But unless the Rays see him starting at age 39, that's too much money for a backup.
5. Brian Shouse's $1.95 million option?
Uh, no. He was hurt and missed several months, but with a 5.04 ERA and 38 baserunners allowed in 25 innings, he wasn't much help, and Randy Choate is a less expensive and better option.
6. Who are the candidates to be non-tendered?
Given their other commitments, nine arbitration cases might be too many: RHPs Grant Balfour, Lance Cormier, Matt Garza;LHPs Randy Choate, J.P. Howell;OFs Gabe Gross, B.J. Upton; SS Jason Bartlett; C Dioner Navarro. Based on performance and projected earnings, Navarro and Gross are the ones they'll likely think hardest about. Balfour has to at least be discussed.
7. So who from the bullpen will be back?
Dan Wheeler (at $3.5 million) and arbitration-eligibles Lance Cormier and J.P. Howell will be, and it's more likely than not that Grant Balfour and Randy Choate will join them. Andy Sonnanstine is another possible. With Chad Bradford (who made $3.5 million for 101/3 innings), Russ Springer (a prorated $3.3 million) and Troy Percival ($4.45 million) done, they should be able to bring in a couple of new arms.
8. Will the Rays acknowledge the obvious and make one a closer?
If they do, you may not know it at the time. It's not in their philosophy — or their budget — to spend big bucks for a traditional closer. More likely, they'll add an under-the-radar kind of guy or someone with closer abilities who hasn't had the chance to do so. Or maybe a version of 2008 Troy Percival — a veteran near the end who they could carefully manage through a season (Billy Wagner? Trevor Hoffman?).
9. Will Carl Crawford be traded before the April 6 opener?
Very unlikely. The Rays think they can win in 2010, and unless an offer were so overwhelming, they're obviously a better team with Crawford in the lineup (and motivated by pending free agency he has been looking forward to for years). Plus, trading him hurts not only their chances to win but their efforts to get a stadium built, since they'd alienate core fans and raise questions about ownership's intentions. All that said, if they're out of the race, look for him to be dealt in July.
10. How about B.J. Upton?
As many questions as have been raised about Upton, the Rays aren't in a position to trade low, and that's exactly what they'd be doing. Their hope has to be that Upton responds to the criticism and rebounds with an oft-predicted breakout season.
11. Or Jason Bartlett?
Similar to Crawford, the Rays are a much better team with Bartlett than they would be without him, even at the $4 million or so he'll likely get in arbitration. Reid Brignac, and Tim Beckham, might be ready to take over eventually, but not yet.
12. Will Ben Zobrist play rightfield or second base?
Yes. He has been impressive enough at both spots that the Rays will be able to consider other moves knowing he could handle either. But there's also a scenario where he splits his time, playing rightfield against lefties (platooning with Matt Joyce) and playing second against right-handers (platooning with Sean Rodriguez).
13. So Matt Joyce will be on the team next year?
That's the plan, and his decent year at Triple A — .273, 16 HRs, 66 RBIs, .373 on-base, .482 slugging — doesn't change that. How much he plays is up to him.
14. What about prospect Desmond Jennings?
In April, no. Come August or September, probably.
15. Is there any way to get rid of Pat Burrell?
Short of swallowing his $9 million salary and cutting him? It's not going to be easy, but don't discount the creativity of exec VP Andrew Friedman. The Rays could slice the price by agreeing to eat some of the money, but first they'll look for trading partners seeking to move similarly bad contracts, such as Milton Bradley (Cubs) or Oliver Perez (Mets). There's also a theory that Burrell, heading back into free agency, will return much more motivated and in better shape.
16. Who bats leadoff next season?
Jason Bartlett handled it pretty well this season — hitting .296 with a .385 on-base percentage — and he liked the job, so he's got to be considered the favorite.
17. Is there any chance Wade Davis won't be in the rotation next season?
Some. The Rays will need depth, and if they can get a veteran cheap, they might go that way and give Davis some more time in the minors, as they did David Price. Similarly, if they somehow landed an ace, as they did explore possibilities with Roy Halladay and Felix Hernandez in July.
18. Are there likely to be any changes on the coaching staff?
All are at the end of their contracts, so it's certainly a topic for discussion. Repeated struggles with situational hitting have raised questions about hitting coach Steve Henderson, and the inconsistencies and apparent regression of some pitchers have done the same for pitching coach Jim Hickey. But it's hard, no matter what anyone says, to truly evaluate the performance of coaches.
Rays rumblings
Given all the talk this year about clubhouse chemistry, would the Rays really want to risk things by introducing Milton Bradley? … CF B.J. Upton is among nine players considered at "career crossroads" by ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick; ex-Ray Delmon Young was another. … If the Rays did make a pitching coach change, could Chuck Hernandez be a candidate to return? … New York's Daily News makes a case for the Yankees infield being the best of all time; raysindex.com touts the Rays and suggests the Yanks may not be the best in their division.
Got a minute?Joe Maddon
Best meal you can make? Spaghetti and meatballs (prepared for annual Thanksmas meal for needy).
Biggest change in your daily routine being married? I'm now responsible for making the bed.
Karaoke song if you had to? Thunder Road.
Guilty pleasure at the mall? Auntie Anne's pretzels.
With your wife Jaye's permission, dream date? Rhona Mitra, who used to be on Boston Legal.
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