We’re a week into June, with nearly a third of the 2010 season under our belt, and the Tampa Bay Rays currently sit in their surprisingly familiar place atop the American League East. In case you haven’t heard, which would be virtually impossible as this story has gotten a lot of air time this year, the Rays are leading the same division that is home to the Yankees and Red Sox. They being the same two teams that boast the numbers one and two payrolls in baseball. The Rays payroll on the other hand started the year at just over $70M, barely one third of the Yankees league leading $206M.

This is not a division in which the Rays should be competing. In fact, some talk has gone on in baseball this year to the notion of “floating divisions.” This was basically an idea that was started with the thought in mind that teams in the AL East are so far outspent by the Yankees and Red Sox that they never have a chance at the playoffs. This idea of floating divisions would move a team like the Rays (or the Blue Jays and Orioles) into a different division from year to year, based on a variety of competitive factors, with the idea being that this would give them a chance to compete for a postseason spot.

This argument has, at least temporarily, been put to rest by the Rays this year. In 2008 when they won the division and went to the World Series they were considered a fluke, a bit of a surprise that likely wouldn’t happen again. And yes, management will struggle to keep this team together in the years to come. But they were solid in 2009, and in 2010 they boast the best record in baseball thus far and are certainly no fluke. The Rays have basically provided the model for all small market teams out there (yes, I’m staring right at you Kansas City. Stop making excuses, get the right guys in your front office and make the necessary investments in your scouting and farm system). It may be easier said than done, and I won’t deny that it takes some luck, but the Rays, much like the A’s of ten years ago and the Twins in recent years, are showing that it certainly can be done.

The Rays have assembled arguably the best rotation in all of baseball, and a line-up that could go up against anyone this side of the Yankees and Phillies. Whether through the draft (David Price, BJ Upton, Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford, James Shields, Wade Davis), or via trade (Ben Zobrist, Matt Garza) Tampa has shrewdly compiled a team that sports the best winning percentage in all of baseball and doesn’t appear to be letting up. Some pundits have gone so far as to say that they haven’t even started playing as well as they are capable. And they have done it in a cost effective manner and with a template (focus on the farm system and player development) to which any team, regardless of market size, should be paying attention.

Simply spending money doesn’t guarantee success. I could (and did) write an entire article on the Cubs inability to compete despite trailing only the Yankees and Red Sox in team payroll. Yes, a hard salary cap would certainly help to even the playing field so that a team like the Rays being successful wouldn’t be such a huge surprise. And yes, it would certainly be in the best interests of the smaller market teams if that ever happened. That said, my hope is that there is no salary cap until after Albert Pujols is making $40M per year playing first for the Red Sox so that I can stop having to watch him kill the Cubs as a member of the Cardinals. The Rays be damned, I would sign a deal with the devil to get Pujols out of St. Louis. But I digress.

With the current economic playing field as it is, it will certainly be a challenge for the Rays to keep their current roster in place long-term. It’s the hope here that the quality of baseball that is being played in Tampa Bay will result in more fan support and the capability to keep the majority of these guys in place. It’s the kind of story that gives fans in Pittsburgh and Kansas City hope. And hope is what any fan base needs. Just ask Cub fans.

Share on Facebook