What do the Devil Rays need to do to be a top team in the American League? One thing they need to do is get some pitching and solid closer and better relief pitchers. They Devil rays have wasted allot of money in the pass on players that had nothing to back up the big salaries. Scott Kasmier and Jamie shields are their starting pitching forces. They need to spend some money that will help them not lost any money. Here is what they need to do in pitching in 2008. Work deals with staring pitchers bartolo Colon, Sidney Ponson, and maybe tom glavine and Greg Maddux. They need to work on there bull pin too. Work deals with Mike Timlin, Bob Wickman, resign Al Reyes, and sign Franscio Cordero. Use Cordero as the closer and the rest in the bull pin. The pitching coach needs to leave his starters in for a little longer and not take them out in the six inning when they have 10 strike out and have only gave up one run. They need to have more faith in there starters in 2008.

The hitting line up is almost there. They need to resign Carlos Pena and move him to the designed hitter position and try to sign up and coming mike lamb as a first baseman and maybe Julio Franco as a back up to hit left-handed pitchers. Keep Brendan Harris at second base, and but B.J Upton at shortstop. Aaron Rowand would make a great center fielder, sign Jason Kendall as catcher. Carl Crawford and Delmon Young most stay. Jonny Gomes could be traded for a reserve player because he would not really be needed. People have been saying to trade Carlos Pena for some young talent, but that would be a bad idea. Look at David Ortiz he did not start out big until his late 20,s. Therefore, there is a chance that Pena has found his stroke and is going to blossom over the 5-6 years. Third baseman Akinori Iwamuia is strong hitters and slaps the ball around good and has speed. He is someone to keep around for a while.
That's looked at the line-ups if they do make these moves.

1st mike lamb
2nd Brandon Harris
3rd Akinori Iwamunia
SS B.J Upton
RF Delmon young
CF Aaron Rowland
LF Carl Crawford
C Jason Kendall
DH Carlos Pena

SP Jamie shields
SP Scott Kasmier
SP Tom Glavine
SP Greg Maddux
SP Bartolo Colon
SP Sidney Ponson
RP Bob Wickman
RP Al Reyes
RP Mike Timlin
RP Dan Wheeler
CP Francisco Cordero

I think that if this could happen the Devil Rays spend some money on the off-season they could contend and at least get out of last place. Good luck to the Devil Rays and I hope they make good off-season free agent signs and do not trade Carlos Pena.

Learn more about this author, Jessie Gerdes.
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