Organizational Rankings: #2

As we reach the top three, you’ve probably noticed that they’re all coming from the AL East. It really is remarkable how strong that division is. One of the three best teams in baseball isn’t going to make the playoffs this year, and probably for the next few years. These teams are all set up for long term success, and over the next few years, we could see the strongest division in the history of baseball.

Rankings So Far

#30: Washington Nationals
#29: Florida Marlins
#28: Houston Astros
#27: Kansas City Royals
#26: Pittsburgh Pirates
#25: San Diego Padres
#24: Cincinnati Reds
#23: Colorado Rockies
#22: Detroit Tigers
#21: St. Louis Cardinals
#20: Toronto Blue Jays
#19: San Francisco Giants
#18: Minnesota Twins
#17: Chicago White Sox
#16: Baltimore Orioles
#15: Seattle Mariners
#14: Philadelphia Phillies
#13: Los Angeles Dodgers
#12: Texas Rangers
#11: Oakland Athletics
#10: Los Angeles Angels
#9: Arizona Diamondbacks
#8: Atlanta Braves
#7: Chicago Cubs
#6: Milwaukee Brewers
#5: New York Mets
#4: Cleveland Indians
#3: New York Yankees

#2: Tampa Bay Rays

Ownership: C+

Since buying the team, Stuart Sternberg has completely changed the culture of the franchise. He instituted significant pro-fan initiatives such as free parking to help lure in an alienated fan base, put Andrew Friedman and Gerry Hunsicker in place to oversee a forward thinking baseball operations team, and began investing in the on field product. The Rays are never going to match Boston or New York in payroll, but TB is in a growth phase of their franchise – by putting on a quality product, they’re bringing people to the park, and the attendance surge will lead to expanded budgets. Their market will always make them compete on a budget, but they’ll be funded well enough to keep their team together.

Front Office: A+

Andrew Friedman and his gang have done tremendous work in putting this franchise back on it’s feet. The people who crow that they are living off of high draft picks from years of losing are just showing their ignorance. The front office has been brilliant at picking up quality role players, they’ve pieced together an elite bullpen from retreads and waiver claims, and the team’s best hitter was signed as a minor league free agent. They continually work to add depth to their organization, giving themselves multiple options to cover for injuries and unexpected declines in performance. They scout well, draft well, develop well, value their players correctly, and have locked up the core of their franchise to long term deals that add significant value to the franchise. The Rays are winning for a reason – this success is the residue of great planning and hard work.

Major League Talent: A

It’s really hard to find a weakness with this team. They’re the best defensive team in baseball. They supplemented their line-up by adding Pat Burrell to an already strong core of young hitters. Their rotation is excellent and deep. Their bullpen, while lacking a true proven closer, is full of good arms who get high leverage outs and preserve leads. Their backups could start on most MLB teams. The backups to the backups are even useful. They’re loaded with talent, most of it young, and there’s no reason to think that last yaer was a fluke. They’re a force to contend with both in 2009 and going forward.

Minor League Talent: A

Wade Davis, Desmond Jennings, and Reid Brignac would be a fantastic top three in any farm system. Most teams would kill to have a trio of guys that talented. And those guys aren’t even close to the team’s top spot, which is owned by David Price, the best pitching prospect in the game. Don’t forget last year’s #1 overall pick Tim Beckham. Or, the ridiculous pitching depth offered by Matt Moore, Jeremy Hellickson, Nick Barnese, and Kyle Lobstein. Just like the major league team, the system is deep and talented, and the waves of talent hitting Tampa aren’t going to end any time soon.

Overall: A

A smart front office, the best young group of major league talent in baseball, and a top notch farm system gives the franchise an embarrassment of riches. They don’t have room for all their quality players. Their depth is ridiculous, yet there are few weaknesses on the major league roster that could use an upgrade. The team’s revenue streams aren’t up there with the big boys, but their remarkable talent overcomes that limitation. The Rays are for real, and they’re going to put a contending team on the field for the next half decade at least.





Dave is the Managing Editor of FanGraphs.

64 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
R.J. Anderson
15 years ago

Seems fair. I’d also note that Sternberg has turned the Trop from a poor atmosphere and surrounding to an actual ballpark, even if the old perception about the stadium remains.

alskor
15 years ago
Reply to  R.J. Anderson

Well… I would say the team suddenly becoming awesome had a lot to do with it.

Even then, they werent selling out late in the year when the team was in first place playing big games…

Still, loooooonng way from previous years.

R.J. Anderson
15 years ago
Reply to  alskor

Well, yes, although I meant the aesthetics factor. Things like new paint, cleanliness, ads to cover the back wall — revenue! –, the rays tank, the new video/scoreboards, painting the catwalks black instead of another Tropicana ad, the new turf, etc., and that’s just on the inside.

Also: he got rid of those leaves/oranges/rays stickers on the outfield walls. I’m not sure we can ever thank him enough for that.

A's Fan
15 years ago
Reply to  R.J. Anderson

Could you expand on that? I’m curious what he’s done.

Joe
15 years ago
Reply to  R.J. Anderson

Agreed. Going to a Rays game five years ago was an experience in blandness. The stadium was dingy, the staff generally lax or disinterested. Even with a winning product, the new management has really put in an effort to build its fan relations.

Quite frankly, the last two years have been more fun off the field. Promotions include free post-game concert by some fairly popular entertainers. Fans gather in the parking lots well before gates open to tailgate, which has been encouraged with live music and free parking.

A nice touch is that front office staff act as ushers and gate greaters at sometime during the season. They have fairly open policy to include fan made videos on their stadium big screen. They have made the front office accessible.