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5 Biggest Tampa Bay Rays X-Factors Heading Into 2015 MLB Season
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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
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5. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
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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
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4. Grant Balfour, RHP
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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
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3. Jake McGee, LHP
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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
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2. Evan Longoria, 3B
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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
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1. Starting Rotation
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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.