The Tampa Bay Rays face stiff competition in the AL-East. The Yankees and Red Sox have a combined payroll that more than doubles the Rays gross revenue. While the Rays have a great pitching staff, the Yankees and Sox can hit with the best of them.
The Yankees had the number one offense in all of baseball last year.
The Red Sox had the fourth-best offense in baseball last year.
The Rays had the 18th best offense and have lost several of their best hitters with no real replacements. They have said good-bye to Tommy Pham, Travis d’Arnaud, Avisail Garcia, and Jesus Aguilar.