Monday, Oct. 06, 2008

Rays turn attention to what comes next

On to the American League Championship Series, where four victories will send the Rays to the World Series.

The ALCS starts Friday, and Joe Maddon and Rays vice president of baseball Andrew Friedman have some decisions to make between now and Friday morning when the rosters have to be submitted.

The ALCS is a best-of-seven series and that will bring about some change to the roster that beat Chicago in the ALDS.

Do the Rays add an 11th pitcher and drop a position player?

If so, do they add Edwin Jackson, who won 14 games but was kept off the ALDS roster because the Rays only needed four starters?

Or, do they strengthen the bullpen by adding Jason Hammel?

Is Troy Percival healthy enough to return to the active roster?

If they drop a position player, which they likely will, will it be utility player Ben Zobrist or outfielder/designated hitter Eric Hinske, who can also fill in at first and third base?

Neither of those two played in the ALDS.

Also, is catcher Shawn Riggans healthy enough to return to the roster?

Dioner Navarro will start every game of the ALCS just like he started every game of the ALDS, but Maddon would feel a lot more comfortable with the experienced Riggans behind the plate than Michel Hernandez, who was called up from Triple-A Durham on Sept. 8 and replaced Riggans on the postseason roster.