Upstart Rays out to prove their talent

OAKLAND -- Unlike other teams around the Majors, the Rays don't rely on the free-agent market in order to improve their entire roster. They rely on the Draft, international signings and player development. Because of that, there is no shortage of stories inside Tampa Bay's clubhouse.

The Rays have 18 players on the active roster that have been acquired via trade, which is the most among the 10 postseason teams. They have four players -- Nick Anderson, Michael Brosseau, Andrew Kittredge and Trevor Richards -- who were originally undrafted free agents and made an impact this season. In fact, Tampa Bay has only five homegrown players on the roster, which is the second fewest among the playoff teams (Atlanta has four), and just two free-agent signings.

Date	Result	Highights
Oct. 2	TB 5, OAK 1	Watch

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However, when Charlie Morton looked around the room during Spring Training, he didn’t see a group that was full of underdog stories, and he didn’t see a unit that was going to be limited by the lowest payroll in Major League Baseball.

Instead, Morton, who signed a club record two-year, $30 million deal in the offseason, looked at a team that had an infectious clubhouse, the necessary depth to compete and plenty of talent to make a postseason run in the toughest division in the Majors.

“I didn’t look around this clubhouse thinking about everybody’s story,” Morton said. “I think guys deserve better than that.”

Morton is right. The room is filled with stories that have helped individuals get to the big league level. But what can easily get lost when talking about a heartfelt story is the fact that the Rays aren’t just a group of good stories. They believe they’re one of the most talented teams.

“I think probably the biggest story is how talented we are as a unit,” said Rays closer Emilio Pagán, who was acquired from the A’s in December. “Guys definitely want to prove to other organizations or scouts when they were in high school that they messed up.”

Now that the Rays are in the postseason, they’re hoping to prove just how talented they believe they are. They’re carried by a pitching staff, especially a bullpen, that was one of the best in the Majors and posted the lowest ERA in the American League. Morton, Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell and Ryan Yarbrough lead the rotation, while Pagan, Anderson, Diego Castillo and Chaz Roe provide depth in the bullpen.

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“A lot of organizations would love to have all the guys in this room,” Pagan said. “But at the same time, everybody that I’ve talked to is so thankful for this organization and for our front office believing in us and as a team.

Offensively, Austin Meadows is quickly developing into a star. His 33 home runs led the team, and he appears to be a centerpiece for the Rays moving forward. Tommy Pham continues to be one of the most underrated players in the Majors, and guys like Ji-Man Choi, Willy Adames, Brandon Lowe, Joey Wendle and Avisaíl García round out a talented lineup.

“You look around [the clubhouse] and everyone is producing at the level we’re at and doing it very well,” Lowe said. “You don’t look at where people are from, it’s just kind of, 'These are your brothers and we’re here to win and go to war with them.'”

After winning 96 games, which was just one shy of the franchise record, the Rays still felt that they didn’t get much credit. They understand that they’re a small-market team that won’t get the attention the Yankees or Red Sox will in the division, and that’s fine by them.

“I think most guys just want to put on numbers and win for their team,” Glasnow said. “Rays are a small-market team. But we’re good, and that’s all that matters.”

But now that the Rays are in the postseason, they’re hoping to wake some people up, starting on Wednesday in the Wild Card Game against the A’s at the Coliseum. All eyes will be on the Rays, and it’s their chance to prove that success is part of their stories.

“People will find out,” third baseman Matt Duffy said, with a smile. “People will find out.”