Rays still feel like team to beat in AL East
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - The revamped Tampa Bay Rays have a new look, along with the same expectations of staying on top of baseball's toughest division.
The cost-conscious AL East champions slashed payroll by about 40 percent this winter, yet remain confident they'll be able to hold their own against the big-spending Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees this season.
A talented young pitching rotation led by Cy Young Award runner-up David Price is the biggest reason. Manager Joe Maddon believes the team has a chance to be solid offensively, too, with veterans Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez filling holes created by the departures of Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena.
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