The Rays have released 1B/3B Morgan Ensberg. Ensberg played in 22 games this spring for the Rays in which he was 10 for 44 (.227 avg, .587 OPS) with 4 runs scored and 4 RBIs. The Rays won’t miss Ensberg too much as they are loaded with backup infielders that they like better than him.

The Rays have decided to return Rule 5 Draft pick Derek Rodriguez to the White Sox. Rodriguez pitched in 5 games (0 starts) this spring for the Rays and he was 0-0 with 1 save, a 7.50 ERA and a 2.17 WHIP. This will be no loss to the Rays as their bullpen is loaded for the 2009 season.

The Tampa Bay Rays have received 23-year old righty reliever back from the Brewers. He was selected by Milwaukee in the Rule 5 Draft over the winter. He had a rough spring for the Brewers pitching in 5 games (1 start) in which he was 0-1 with a 6.43 ERA and a 1.86 WHIP. Morlan did pitched in 30 games (0 starts) in AA-ball last season and he was 4-2 with 1 save, a 3.64 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He’s a talented pitcher who the Rays are likely glad to get back.

Lefty pitchers had a good time with the Rays last season but that’s likely to change with Pat Burrell starting at DH. The 32-year old righty swinging Burrell played in 157 games for the Phillies last season and he was 134 for 536 (.250 avg, .874 OPS) with 74 runs scored, 33 homers and 86 RBIs. Look for the runs scored and RBI numbers to spike for Burrell who should have more protection behind him in the line up for the Rays in 2009.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: B

23-year old righty swinging Evan Longoria was the Rookie of the Year in the American League last season but that was likely just the beginning for him. He played in 122 games for the Rays last season and he was 122 for 448 (.272 avg, .874 OPS) with 67 runs scored, 27 homers, 85 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. His only real problem on offense is whiffs (122) but the Rays will be more than happy to deal with that if he continues to put up big numbers. Longoria did make 26 errors in 119 games at 3B last season while showing slightly above average range. He needs to make the routine play a little bit better but that should come in time. Look for Longoria to get a lot of MVP votes in 2009.

26-year old switch hitting Willy Aybar will be around again to replace Longoria if the need arises due to injury. He played in 95 games for the Rays last season and he was 82 for 324 (.253 avg, .737 OPS) with 33 runs scored, 10 homers and 33 RBIs. Aybar did make 5 errors in 41 games at 3B last season for the Rays but he showed good range there.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: A