Starting Nine: C, SS, and rotation

The Tampa Bay Rays begin spring training Monday when pitchers and catchers report to the Charlotte Sports Park.

Executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and manager Joe Maddon have fewer roster decisions to make in the coming weeks than they did last spring training when they had to rebuild a bullpen and break in a new first baseman and shortstop.

But there are still some decisions to be made before the season-opener, April 6 against the visiting New York Yankees.

In a three-day series beginning today, the Tampa Tribune will break down the nine most pressing issues surrounding the 2012 Rays.

Who's behind the dish?

Gone are John Jaso and Kelly Shoppach, the tandem who began the 2011 season as the Rays catchers. The Rays feel they are better for the offseason moves even if it leaves them with a 36-year-old journeyman backup who will be paired with a relatively inexperienced partner to form the catching platoon.

Jose Molina, who signed as a free agent Nov. 28, brings a ton of experience but not much durability. He's never started more than 81 games in any of his 12 big league seasons, and that high-water mark was achieved in 2008.

Vying for the second half of the platoon are Jose Lobaton, who started 14 games during an injury-interrupted stint with the Rays in 2011, and Robinson Chirinos, who caught 15 games for the Rays last season.

Chris Gimenez, signed Thursday to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training, will factor into the mix. Gimenez spent parts of the past three seasons with the Indians and Mariners, starting 52 games during that span.

Offense was a problem last season from the Rays catchers, who combined to hit .194 (12th out of 14 AL teams). While the Rays place the emphasis on defense and calling pitches at this position, they wouldn't mind the occasional hit. Lobaton, a switch-hitter, is the only candidate who can provide a lefty-righty platoon with the right-handed hitting Molina, since Chirinos and Gimenez both bat right-handed.

"The first thing to determine is how much J-Mo can play then you center it off of that," Maddon said. "Whoever is the other catcher will play. It's not going to be just J-Mo. We can't do that. I don't know what the right formula is yet."

Whoever wins the competition for the other spot will see a lot of playing time.

"I'm not opposed to given young guys opportunities. That's who we are," Maddon said. "But I think the biggest question to answer with Jose is how much can he play effectively and not break him down."

And the shortstop is …

Sean Rodriguez. Unless it is Reid Brignac.

Brignac started 76 games last season at short while Rodriguez started 49 times (including 24 in September). Elliot Johnson (37 starts there last season) will also get some innings at short as will newcomer Jeff Keppinger. But Maddon said it is basically a two-man race between Rodriguez and Brignac, who began 2011 as the everyday shortstop.

"It should pretty much be that, and we got to get Keppinger a chance to play over there to see how he looks, too," Maddon said.

Defense will be the premium here, but, as with the catchers, the Rays would like to see an offensive improvement. Last season, the Rays shortstops combined to hit a major league-low .193. They also trailed the rest of the majors in on-base (.256) and slugging (.282) percentages.

Maddon said the winner will not necessarily be the player who can provide the most offense.

"It will be the total package," Maddon said. "Of course the offense comes into play, but we're not expecting either one to hit .300. It's about the good at-bat, having a good idea at the plate. It's about being a good base runner. It's about, of course, being able to play shortstop. We're just going to try and evaluate it in its entirety."

Pitching, pitching, pitching

Most teams are envious of the Rays rotation, which runs seven deep when you add Alex Cobb and rookie Matt Moore. That Friedman was able to add power to the lineup and an experienced utility infielder this offseason without trading an arm was a pretty neat trick.

Moore, who threw a combined 12 scoreless innings in a regular season start against the Yankees and his ALDS start against the Rangers, figures to break camp with a spot in the rotation. True to form, though, the Rays maintain they will not hand Moore a job at the big league level.

"He's got a shot, obviously," Maddon said. "We got some good competition going on. Everything is possible with him. Of course we'd like for him to show that he belongs there, but we'll wait and see. I want every one to come in there thinking they have an opportunity."

Trying to settle on five starts from a group that includes holdovers James Shields, David Price, Jeremy Hellickson, Jeff Niemann and Wade Davis is a problem most managers and general managers would love to have.

It is likely Cobb will start the year at Triple-A Durham. And don't be surprised if Friedman and Maddon get creative by moving a starter to the bullpen. Remember Davis pitched out of the bullpen during the ALDS.

"Everything is possible," Maddon said.