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Maddon Says Rays Have Raised Their Expectations

Goals Aren't Just About Winning Games Anymore, He Says

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By MARC LANCASTER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 13, 2009

PORT CHARLOTTE - The opening of spring training is always the time to express unbridled enthusiasm about what might lie ahead in the coming season, and this time around no one is raising any eyebrows when the Rays talk about aiming high.

Manager Joe Maddon and executive vice president Andrew Friedman didn't cover much new ground this afternoon in their annual pre-camp press conference, held under a scorching sun on the outfield boardwalk at Charlotte Sports Park, but the new attitude around the defending American League champions is evident compared to last spring's cautiously hopeful bunch.

While last season was largely about "stretching the mind" so players believed they could succeed on a high level, Maddon said, actually making it to the World Series provides a different foundation to work from in 2009.

"The fact that we came up a couple games shy last year, I think, actually whets the appetite even more," Maddon said. "We think that way now. You have to get to that point to really understand what it takes to get there and understand the specifics of the entire moment, and I think our guys get it now. Everybody I talked to in the offseason, everybody I'm speaking to now, it's not just about participating, it's not about winning 'X' number of games – it's about getting back to the playoffs and getting back to the World Series."

Rays camp will look a bit different this season. The team will take it easy on the established position players and pitchers who were going full-bore throughout 2008 by limiting their work in the opening weeks of spring training.

"Particularly with the pitchers and of course the regular position players, you don't want to push them or extend them too early, and that's going to be our major concern," Maddon said. "Otherwise, you're going to see pretty normal stuff going on."

That will be the case for those gunning for the few openings on the Rays' Opening Day roster. The primary competition will be for the fifth starter's spot, the final one or two bullpen jobs and the right field/bench blend.

Friedman said four players will get a chance to follow James Shields, Scott Kazmir, Matt Garza and Andy Sonnanstine in the rotation, replacing the departed Edwin Jackson.

David Price, Jason Hammel, Jeff Niemann and Mitch Talbot will be the contenders, though the unquestioned public-sentiment favorite, Price, won't necessarily be judged by the same criteria.

Friedman noted yet again that "with David, development is king," and ensuring he remains on track to be a top-of-the-rotation starter down the line will "have to play a part in the decision-making." That means he could end up opening the season in Triple-A, just as Evan Longoria did last season, and awaiting his shot to step up to the big leagues permanently.

Numerous pitchers, including Hammel and Niemann, will be in the bullpen mix. Whether one or two spots remain to be won depends largely on the health of closer Troy Percival, who said today upon reporting to the complex that he considers it "definite" he'll be ready for the opener. The team will reserve judgment on that, Friedman said, letting spring training play out for a while before evaluating Percival's readiness. If he demonstrates that he is, he'll be the Rays' closer.

"Obviously if Percy's well, that is his job," Maddon said.

Rays pitchers and catchers will hold their first workout Sunday afternoon, with the Charlotte Sports Park parking lots set to open to fans at 12:30 and the players to take the field around 1 p.m. From Monday through Feb. 24, the Rays will work out daily beginning around 9:30 a.m., with the parking lots to open a half-hour before that. Admission for workouts is free of charge.

The Rays open their Grapefruit League schedule Feb. 25 against the Cincinnati Reds in Port Charlotte.

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