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Early Spring Training Prediction Of Tampa Bay Rays’ 2015 Opening Day Lineup

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Early Spring Training Prediction Of Tampa Bay Rays' 2015 Opening Day Lineup

CashandCabrera
Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into the 2015 season, the Tampa Bay Rays are going to have a slightly different look than they have had in recent years. This is still a very talented club, however, and it is possible that the Rays may turn out to be a surprise team in a tough AL East. So, without further ado, here is one way first-year manager Kevin Cash's lineup card might look on Opening Day.

1. Desmond Jennings, LF

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1. Desmond Jennings, LF

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Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Now entering his age-28 season, the speedy Desmond Jennings is still one of the Rays' best options at the leadoff spot. Although he still seems to have plenty of untapped potential, Jennings has been a 3.0-plus fWAR player in each of the past three seasons. He is hitting .247/.324/.400 as a leadoff man over the course of his career.

2. John Jaso, DH

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2. John Jaso, DH

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Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Acquired as part of the Ben Zobrist deal, catcher/DH John Jaso is now back with the organization he began his career with. Known for his ability to get on base, Jaso is hitting a decent .246/.347/.364 over his career as a two-hole hitter.

3. James Loney, 1B

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3. James Loney, 1B

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Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Set to enter his third season in Tampa Bay, James Loney may not have the type of power that some teams might like to see out of their first baseman, but he is still a very good contact hitter. The 30-year-old is slashing a rock solid .306/.343/.435 over his career as a three-hole hitter.

4. Evan Longoria, 3B

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4. Evan Longoria, 3B

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Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Although Evan Longoria wasn't bad in 2014, slashing .253/.320/.404 with 22 home runs in a 3.4 fWAR campaign, it wasn't exactly his best season either. However, he is easily one of the best hitters on this club, and he certainly has the potential to bounce back. The 29-year-old is hitting .282/.353/.490 over his career as a cleanup man.

5. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS

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5. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS

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Signed to a one-year deal this offseason, Asdrubal Cabrera should provide plenty of stability for the Rays at shortstop. He may be a few years removed from the 25-homer campaign he put together in 2011, but he may still be one of the Rays' better options to use out of the five-hole nevertheless. It should be noted that he doesn't have too much experience in that spot, however.

6. Steven Souza Jr., RF

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6. Steven Souza Jr., RF

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Acquired from the Washington Nationals as part of the three-team trade that sent Wil Myers to the San Diego Padres, many feel that Steven Souza Jr. is primed for a big season in 2015. The soon-to-be 26-year-old hit .345/.427/.577 with 18 homers across three levels in the Nationals' minor league system last year.

7. Rene Rivera, C

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7. Rene Rivera, C

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Also acquired in the Wil Myers deal, Rene Rivera is coming off of a very good season, slashing .252/.319/.432 and playing great defense in a 3.0 fWAR campaign for the Padres. Although his work behind the plate will likely be priority No. 1, he should have a strong enough bat to give the bottom third of the lineup a boost.

8. Kevin Kiermaier, CF

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8. Kevin Kiermaier, CF

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Kevin Kiermaier was certainly a pleasant surprise for the Rays last season, slashing .263/.315/.450 in a 3.8 fWAR campaign. He logged 186 of his 331 at-bats out the nine-hole last season, but it is worth noting that he posted a robust .410 BA during the time he spent in the eight-hole.

9. Nick Franklin, 2B

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9. Nick Franklin, 2B

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Acquired in the David Price deal last summer, the switch-hitting Nick Franklin hasn't quite been able to put it all together thus far over 450 at-bats at the big league level, even though he has shown a little bit of pop. Perhaps having Franklin, who hit .284/.361/.450 over his minor league career, begin the season at the bottom of the order will take the pressure off and allow him to grow more comfortable.

Alex Cobb, P

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Alex Cobb, P

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Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Due to the fact that Price, who was the Rays' Opening Day starter in three of the past four seasons, is now a member of the Tigers, it appears that the torch will be passed to Alex Cobb. The 27-year-old Cobb went 10-9 with a 2.87 ERA (3.23 FIP) and a 1.14 WHIP in a 2.7 fWAR campaign last season, and he is certainly deserving of getting the ball on Apr. 6 when the Rays open up their season against the Baltimore Orioles.

Brad Faber is a Senior Writer and Sabermetrics Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Brad_Faber, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on LinkedIn or Google. 

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