When some people read this, they may assume that I wear velcro shoes if you know what I mean. I can assure you however that I do not (I prefer sandals… the velcro always sticks to my socks). But when I look at the Tampa Bay Devil Rays this season, I can’t help but conjure up images of the 2002 Florida Marlins, and must make the bold prediction that the Devil Rays are 1-2 years from being a World Series contender.

Alright, so you’re laughing pretty hard at this point, and honestly I can’t blame you. To explain the title of the post, even the Simpsons have taken their shots at the hapless Tampa franchise; in one episode Professor Frink calls Astrology “the Tampa Bay Devil Rays of Science”. Well, I think that the stars are aligning correctly for Tampa Bay to actually make a significant run at the title… in 2008.

Before I come up with some legitimate reasons, let’s have some fun with random facts, and borrowing a page from Joe Morgan’s repertoire, let’s use some meaningless facts to pretend I’m a credible expert who magically can predict future events.

1. The 2003 Florida Marlins - who I feel could have a lot of similarities to the 2008 Devil Rays - won the World Series exactly 10 years after the franchise was established (1993). The Devil Rays started play in 1998. Spooky, but it gets slightly better… or maybe worse. You’ll have to read on to find out.

2. In 1994, Disney made a movie using the Los Angeles Angels as the main team in the film. Less than 10 years later the Angels won the whole thing. Disney made such a film in 2002 with the Devil Rays as the team of interest.

3. The year before winning their World Series (2002), the Florida Marlins finished 4th in the division. The Devil Rays are currently sitting in 4th.

4. In the 1997 expansion draft, with their first pick the Florida Marlins selected a player from the World Series champion Toronto Blue Jays. Ten years later they would win a (second) World Series. In the 1998 expansion draft, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays selected a player from the once removed (1997) World Series champion Florida Marlins with the first pick. Ten years later? 2008.

Okay, so that theory is pretty full of holes and really uses no logic whatsoever. But when you actually take a look at the 2007 Tampa Bay Devil Rays, with a few shrewd moves this team could easily be in competition a year from now.

Starting Outfield

The outfield is really up for speculation at this point, but I don’t see Elijah Dukes part of the Devil Rays’ future plans. His fertileness is without question, but so is the possibility of off-field distractions to the team. Without Dukes in the future, the Devil Rays still have a lot of promise. Carl Crawford isn’t going anywhere so left field is a given. Recently the team has used Delmon Young in centerfield, which is his natural position. They also have Rocco Baldelli who can play center, but considering all his injuries over the past few years, Rocco might make be a better option in right field. If you doubt me, see others who have had hamstring problems such as Milton Bradley… always seems to happen to them whey they play in center. Worst comes to worst they use BJ Upton in center, Young in right, and Baldelli as a DH/ utility outfielder. Still, their outfield looks solid to me and after a full year in the bigs for all, the combo of Crawford, Young, Upton and Baldelli should do the trick.

Middle Infielders

Even if they are forced to move Upton to centerfield, the middle infield will be a best two of five kind of deal. Brendan Harris is getting the starts right now for the Devil Rays at shortstop, and based on what Omar Minaya (GM of the Mets) says, this former Met prospect looks like a legit .280 hitter and could settle in nicely into the SS slot for the next few years. The only question mark then is second base.

BJ Upton of course could play second if they find a centerfielder. Players with less of an upside include Jorge Cantu, Ty Wigginton and Ben Zobrist. They Rays also have shortstop prospect Reid Brignac in the minors. Once projected to be the starter in 2008, he is currently leading his AA team in errors, and an Upton-like switch to second base might be just what he needs. Either way, the team has at least three options at short (Harris, Brignac, and Zobrist) and four at second (Brignac, Wigginton, Cantu, and Zobrist).

Moral of the story- the middle infield should be able to be filled in-house, and fairly solid at that.

Corner Infield

Ah, now here’s the first of the two major problems that need to be addressed in free agency or through trades. In my opinion, the Devil Rays do not currently have anyone to really count on at first or third for 2008. Akinori Iwamura has been good when he has been in the lineup, but has been out of the lineup too much to be counted on. If they can keep him healthy, he will definitely be in the mix. Others in the mix include Wigginton and Cantu - realistically the position is Iwamura’s to lose. There’s also Evan Longoira, but unless something changes drastically (he is hitting sub .280 in AA) he won’t be ready for 2008. Right now the Padres may be shopping Chase Headley; if so Longoria could be moved to first and given more time to develop, and I am sure that Elijah Dukes would be more than enough payment in return.

First base is a clusterf**k. Carlos Pena has been good, but history has shown that he is not good enough. Batting .192 against lefties, the team at the very least must find a right handed bat to platoon with Pena. On paper, Jorge Cantu - who is hitting .321 against lefties and .214 against righties - looks like a possible option. But over the past few years Cantu has actually hit right handed pitching better than left. So he is out.

To me, the best option: Dimitri Young. There’s no room for him and Nick Johnson in Washington, he is a free agent at year’s end, and he might be enticed to come to Tampa and finish up his career playing with his little bro.

Pitchers

Scott Kazmir and James Shields are a given. They are an excellent 1-2 combo. As for the other three guys, the Rays will have the ability to throw out Edwin Jackson, J.P. Howell, Andy Sonnanstine, Jason Hammel, David Price, Jeff Niemann, Jacob McGee, and Wade Davis to see who sticks. For those of you keeping score, that’s 8 young pitching talents to fill three slots. And if the Rays are smart, whoever does not win the slots could get developed a la Brendan Morrow, Adam Wainwright, and Francisco Liriano by using them out of the bullpen.

The biggest question mark is going to be who is closing. Al Reyes has done well, but he is a free agent and he is old. So if they can’t re-sign him, other guys out there who might be able to be bought for a year are Eddie Guardado, Francisco Cordero, Octavio Dotel… and if they really want to live dangerously, Kerry Wood.

All in all, this team is realistically not going to win it all next year, but I am convinced that with a few key moves that Tampa will win the AL Wild Card and make things interesting.