The Rays are a solid 8 deep in starting pitchers, so look for them to perhaps deal Wade Davis or Jeff Niemann before the season starts. Here is a look at how the rotation stands right now heading into 2012:

#1: James Shields: 30-year old righty James Shields turned into the ace of the staff last year. He started 33 games for the Rays last year and he was 16-12 with a 2.82 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. Shields finished 3rd in the voting for the A.L. Cy Young Award last year and he made the All-Star team. Shields is a horse who loves to pitch deep into ballgames. He has now pitched in 185 games (184 starts) in his first six years with the Rays and he is 72-63 with a 3.96 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. It will be interesting to see if Shields can repeat his success of 2011 as it kind of came out of the blue.

#2: David Price: 26-year old lefty David Price actually improved as a pitcher last year as he upped his strikeouts while cutting down his walks. He pitched in 34 games (all starts) for the Rays last year and he was 12-13 with a 3.49 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. He has now pitched in 94 games (89 starts) in his first four years with the Rays and he is 41-26 with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Price has made the last two American League All-Star teams. I think this will be the year that Price puts everything together.

#3: Jeremy Hellickson: 24-year old righty Jeremy Hellickson won the A.L. Rookie of the Year Award in 2011. He pitched in 29 games (all starts) for the Rays last year and he was 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. Hellickson is a pure pitcher as he changes speeds and locations, making his stuff look at lot better than it is. His fastball comes in at the low 90’s, his changeup in the low 80’s and his curveball in the low 70’s which makes it hard for opposing batters to guess at the plate. Hellickson has now pitched in 39 games (33 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 17-10 with a 3.04 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP.

#4: Matt Moore: 22-year old lefty Matt Moore was a dominating pitcher in the majors, playoffs and minors last year. He is going to enter spring training as the Rays’ #4 starter, but nothing is going to be given to him. Moore pitched in 3 games (1 start) for the Rays during the regular season and he was 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He whiffed 15 batters in only 9 1/3 innings during the regular season which is pretty darn impressive. Moore also pitched in 27 games (all starts) in AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 12-3 with a 1.92 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. He only gave up 101 hits in 155 innings in the minors while whiffing 210 batters, which shows just how nasty he can be. Moore also beat the Rangers in his first career start in the playoffs and he looked great doing it. Moore has the potential to be the best starter the Rays have in 2012, and that is saying something.

#5: Wade Davis: 26-year old righty Wade Davis could win the #5 job in the Rays’ rotation, work out of the bullpen where he was dominating in the playoffs or get traded for position players. Davis played in 29 games (all starts) for the Rays last year and he was 11-10 with a 4.45 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. He has now pitched in 64 games (all starts) in his first three years with the Rays and he is 25-22 with a 4.22 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. If stuff is the deciding factor, Davis is going to win this job.

Jeff Niemann: 28-year old righty Jeff Niemann will either win the #5 job in the Rays’ rotation or they are going to deal him because he doesn’t get ready to quickly in the bullpen. Niemann pitched in 23 games (all starts) for the Rays last year and he was 11-7 with a 4.06 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. He has now pitched in 89 games (84 starts) in his first four years with the Rays and he is 38-23 with a 4.16 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. I wouldn’t be too surprised to see Niemann beat out Wade Davis for the #5 job this spring.

Alex Cobb: 24-year old righty Alex Cobb pitched really well for the Rays while Jeff Niemann was out of action. But, an injury cut his season short. If healthy, Cobb is going to get a shot to win the #5 job in the Rays’ rotation. Cobb pitched in 9 games (all starts) for the Rays last year and he was 3-2 with a 3.43 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. He also pitched in 12 games (all starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 5-1 with a 1.87 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. Cobb has a nice upside.

Alex Torres: 24-year old lefty Alex Torres came to the Rays in the Scott Kazmir deal of a couple of years ago. He pitched in 4 games (0 starts) for the Rays last year and he was 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP. Torres also pitched in 27 games (all starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 9-7 with a 3.08 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. Torres is a big time longshot to make the Rays’ starting rotation when they break camp, but he could help them at some point in 2012.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE STARTING ROTATION IN 2012: A+

58-year old manager Joe Maddon has been a huge key to the success of the Tampa Bay Rays as of late. They have went from A.L. East doormat to the division champs in two of the last three years. The Rays were 96-66 (59.3%) during the regular season last year and they were 2-3 (40%) in the playoffs under Maddon. Maddon now has a 404-406 (49.9%) record during the regular season in his first five years with the Devil Rays/Rays and he is 10-11 (47.6%) during the post season. He now has a 431-430 (50.1%) record during the regular season in his first 7 years as a manager in the majors and he is 10-11 (47.6%) in the post season. Maddon sometimes seems to platoon a little too much as he plays by the book usually. But, he also inherited the trait of aggressiveness on the basepaths from his mentor (Mike Scioscia of the Angels). I look for Maddon to get the absolute most out of his roster once again in 2011.

The Tampa Bay Rays are likely going to have some issues in the pen in 2011. 34-year old righty Kyle Farnsworth is likely to be the Rays’ closer when the 2011 season starts. He pitched in 60 games (0 starts) for the Royals & Braves last year and he was 3-2 with a 3.34 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. Farnsworth has now pitched in 713 games (26 starts) in his first 12 years in the majors and he is 34-55 with 27 saves, a 4.39 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. He has whiffed 841 batters in 837 career innings in the majors, so he has good enough stuff to handle the job of closing.

24-year old lefty Jake McGee comes into this season as the Rays’ #4 prospect according to Baseball America. McGee pitched in 8 games (0 starts) for the Rays last season and he was 0-0 with a 1.80 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. He also pitched in 30 games (20 starts) in AA+AAA-ball last year in which he was 4-8 with 1 save, a 3.07 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. McGee also whiffed 127 batters in only 105 2/3 innings last year showing just how nasty he can be. McGee could push Farnsworth for the closing job or share it with him in 2011.

34-year old righty Joel Peralta really pitched well for the Nationals last year. He pitched in 39 games (0 starts) for the Nationals in 2010 and he was 1-0 with a 2.02 ERA and a 0.80 WHIP. He only gave up 30 hits and he walked 9 batters in 49 innings while whiffing 49 batters, which is pretty darn impressive. Peralta has now pitched in 260 games (0 starts) in his first six years in the majors and he is 5-11 with 2 saves, a 4.22 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. Peralta could figure into the saves mix if he pitches as well as he did last year.

27-year old lefty J.P. Howell will start the 2011 season on the D.L. as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery that caused him to miss the entire 2010 season. Howell last pitched with the Rays in 2009 when he worked in 69 games (0 starts) and was 7-5 with 17 saves, a 2.84 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. He has now pitched in 151 games (18 starts) in his first four years with the Rays and he is 15-15 with 20 saves, a 3.97 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Howell will likely help out the Rays when he finally gets healthy (likely around June).

32-year old righty Juan Cruz only pitched in 5 games (0 starts) for the Royals last season and he was 0-0 with a 3.38 ERA and a 2.44 WHIP. He has now pitched in 348 games (38 starts) in his first 10 years in the majors and he is 32-35 with 3 saves, a 4.15 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. Cruz has whiffed 580 batters in 570 2/3 innings so far in his major league career but he has walked 299 batters which often gets him in trouble. If Cruz can stay healthy and throw strikes in 2011, he will be able to help the Rays.

27-year old righty Adam Russell came over in the Jason Bartlett deal with the Padres. He pitched in 12 games (0 starts) for the Padres last year and he was 0-0 with a 4.02 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. Russell has now pitched in 49 games (0 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 7-1 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. He has whiffed 54 batters in his first 54 innings in the majors but he has had control issues as he has walked 26 batters. If the Rays can get Russell to throw strikes, he could excel with them because he has good stuff.

26-year old lefty Cesar Ramos also came over from San Diego in the Jason Bartlett trade. Ramos pitched in 14 games (0 starts) for the Padres last year and he was 0-1 with a 11.88 ERA and a 2.64 WHIP. He also pitched in 30 games (15 starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 6-7 with a 3.28 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. Ramos has now pitched in 19 games (2 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 0-2 with a 6.26 ERA and a 1.96 WHIP. Ramos was once a highly thought of prospect so maybe a change in scenery will help him in 2011.

22-year old lefty Cesar Cabral was a Rule 5 Draft Pick over the winter, so the Rays will either have to keep him on the active roster for the whole 2011 season or offer him back to the Red Sox for half price. Cabral pitched in 45 games (0 starts) in A-ball last year and he was 4-0 with 9 saves, a 3.63 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. He has now pitched in 96 games (42 starts) in his first five years in the minors and he is 13-19 with 13 saves, a 3.73 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Cabral is a big time long shot to stick with the Rays in 2011.

27-year old righty Cory Wade has a nice upside. He pitched in 25 games (4 starts) in Rookie+A+AAA-ball last year and he was 3-1 with 2 saves, a 5.40 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. Wade last pitched in 2009 with the Dodgers. Wade has pitched in 82 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 4-4 with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. Signing Wade was a good low risk gamble for the Rays as he could help them in 2011.

27-year old righty Mike Ekstrom pitched in 15 games (0 starts) for the Rays last year and he was 0-1 with a 3.31 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He has now pitched in 35 games (0 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 0-3 with a 5.48 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. Ekstrom might win a job in the Rays’ pen in 2011, but he’s unlikely to pitch too well for them.

29-year old righty Dirk Hayhurst is also in camp trying to win a job in the pen. He did not pitch at all in 2010 in either the majors or the minors. He last pitched in 2009 with the Blue Jays. Hayhurst has now pitched in 25 games (3 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 0-2 with a 5.72 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE RAYS BULLPEN IN 2011: D+

29-year old James Shields is going to be the greybeard of the Rays’ rotation heading into 2011. 25-year old lefty David Price will be the ace of the starting rotation for the Rays once again in 2011. He pitched in 32 games (31 starts) for the Rays last season and he was 19-6 with a 2.72 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. He has now pitched in 60 games (55 starts) in his first three years with the Rays and he is 29-13 with a 3.31 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. This could be the year that Price wins the A.L. Cy Young Award if he builds on his success of last season in 2011.

29-year old righty James Shields has the moniker of being “Big Game James”, but last season he didn’t live up to it. Shields pitched in 34 games (33 starts) for the Rays last season and he was 13-15 with a 5.18 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. He has now pitched in 152 games (151 starts) in his first five years with the Rays and he is 56-51 with a 4.25 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Shields will likely lead the Rays in innings pitched in 2011 as he is a workhorse, but they at the same time need him to bring his A-Game. Shields is the Rays’ all-time leader in wins (56), innings pitched (977 2/3) and games started (151). He is also #10 in games pitched (152), #2 in strikeouts (802) and he’s tied for 3rd in complete games (5) in Rays’ history.

28-year old giant righty Jeff Niemann will be the #3 starter for the Rays in 2011. Niemann pitched in 30 games (29 starts) for the Rays last season and he was 12-8 with a 4.39 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He has now pitched in 66 games (61 starts) in his first three years with the Rays and he is 27-16 with a 4.20 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Niemann pitched really well before his injury last season, so as long as he can stay healthy, I see no reason to think that he won’t excel in 2011.

25-year old righty Wade Davis will be the #4 starter for the Rays but he will likely move up in the pecking order for 2012, because he has the second best stuff (behind Davis Price) of any starter on the Rays. Davis pitched in 29 games (all starts) for the Rays last season and he was 12-10 with a 4.07 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. He has now pitched in 35 games (all starts) for the Rays in his first two years with them and he is 14-12 with a 4.01 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. I think he could win 15 games for the Rays in 2011 as long as he can stay healthy.

23-year old righty Jeremy Hellickson comes into this season as the Rays’ #1 prospect according to Baseball America. Hellickson pitched in 10 games (4 starts) for the Rays last season and he was 4-0 with a 3.47 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. He also pitched in 22 games (21 starts) in A+AAA-ball last year and he was 12-3 with a 2.72 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. I think Hellickson has a huge upside and wouldn’t be surprised to see him win the Rookie of the Year Award in the A.L. in 2011.

28-year old righty Andy Sonnanstine will be the Rays’ long man in the bullpen and unofficial #6 starter. Sonnanstine pitched in 41 games (4 starts) for the Rays last season and he was 3-1 with 1 save, a 4.44 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. He has now pitched in 117 games (76 starts) in his first four years with the Rays and he is 28-29 with 1 save, a 5.24 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. Sonnanstine will likely be given the first shot to join the rotation if the Rays need a starter.

22-year old righty Chris Archer was the Cubs’ #1 prospect according to Baseball America before his trade to the Rays in the Matt Garza deal. Archer pitched in 28 games (27 starts) in A+AA-ball last season and he was 15-3 with a 2.34 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. He has now pitched in 103 games (97 starts) in his first five years in the minors and he is 26-25 with a 3.67 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Archer will be on the fast track to Tropicana Field if he gets off to a good start in AAA for the Rays in 2011.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE RAYS STARTING ROTATION IN 2011: B+

26-year old lefty swinging Matt Joyce will be the starting RF against righty starting pitchers and 29-year old switch hitting Ben Zobrist will be the starting RF against lefty starting pitchers for the Rays in 2011. Joyce played in 77 games for the Rays last season and he was 52 of 216 (.241 avg, .837 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 10 homers, 40 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Joyce not only has good power but he also walked 40 times last season so he also has a good eye. Joyce has a really good chance of popping 20+ homers for the Rays in 2011, and he’s a good clutch hitter so look for him to knock in a lot of runs too. He had 3 errors in 52 games in RF last season while showing excellent range. He also had 4 assists last season so he has a strong arm.

Ben Zobrist came back down to Earth some in 2010 after having a breakout year for the Rays in 2009. Zobrist played in 151 games for the Rays last season and he was 129 of 541 (.238 avg, .699 OPS) with 77 runs scored, 10 homers, 75 RBIs and 24 stolen bases. Zobrist has averaged 84 runs scored, 18.5 homers, 88 RBIs and 20.5 stolen bases over the last two season and the Rays would be very happy if he puts up those kind of numbers in 2011. Zobrist didn’t make any errors in 103 games in RF last season for the Rays while showing excellent range. He also had 6 assists while playing in RF which is pretty impressive.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE RAYS RF IN 2011: B