Tampa Bay Rays

The momentum of the 2010 fantasy baseball season is slowly picking up, and one of the things that will be increasingly occupying rental space in everybody’s crawl will be just whom to select as the first overall draft pick.

While we enter this year with a handful of players that seem to be no-brainers, there are just as many players lurking in the distance that could actually wind up being better picks than those we think.

For a franchise that has managed one post season in their 12 year history, the Tampa Bay Rays (formerly known as the Devil Rays) do not possess an all time roster filled with hall of famers.

However, during the last decade, the Rays definitely have fielded some talented players that deserve recognition for being among the best the franchise has had to offer.

While many players deserved consideration for this list.

Only a few franchises in MLB truly understand how to spend money wisely. I would trot out the A's, Twins, Rockies, Mariners, Brewers, Cardinals, Phillies, and the Rays as some of these.

Few do a better job of acquiring the best talent with the least money than the last team in that list: Tampa Bay.

And they've done it again.

Most fans, possibly even many Tampa Bay fans, don't realize that the Rays signed first baseman Ryan Shealy to a minor league deal this week.

This is the second in my new series in which I will name what I feel are the top ten players in each MLB franchise's history.

Despite a slow start as a franchise, the Rays finally seem to be heading in the right direction, as years of drafting at the top of the draft have led to a bevy of talented young players.

I have included the players stats during their time with the team, as well as where those stats rank all-time for within the franchise.

I look forward to hearing where you the reader would differ in your top ten, and I welcome your comments.

Welcome to another edition of Thaddeus' Tampa Bay Rays Offseason Report. Each and every Friday, we're going to recap the moves, trades, signings, and other nonsense of the previous week in the wonderful world of Tampa Bay baseball; keeping you, Dear Reader, up to date with the team until Opening Day in April 2010 against the Baltimore Orioles.

When discussing the team's budget and off-season plans Rays Principal Owner Stu Sternberg told us, "There's not a $7 million dollar closer coming."

Oh those tricky Rays. Just when you think you have them (and their budget) figured out, they pull off the mega deal of the winter meetings. The team that said it would never devote a large portion of it's payroll to a closer just acquired one of the best from last season in Atlanta's Rafael Soriano.

If you're waiting for the Tampa Bay Rays to give you a big time free agent closer as a Christmas present, forget it. It's not happening.

No, your Tampa Bay Rays will be looking for arms in the bullpen but still do not feed the need to break the bank for a back end finisher.

"The bank is full," Principal Owner Stu Sternberg said. "There is no $7 million closer showing up."

Instead, look for the Rays to find role players. Guys like Jonny Gomes, Eric Hinske, or Wily Aybar. Guys who can give the team the most bang for the buck.

Welcome to another edition of Thaddeus' Tampa Bay Rays Offseason Report. Each and every Friday, we're going to recap the moves, trades, signings, and other nonsense of the previous week in the wonderful world of Tampa Bay baseball; keeping you, Dear Reader, up to date with the team until Opening Day in April 2010 against the Baltimore Orioles .