The Rays headed into 2011 with most of the work still to come in their rebuilding of a team depleted by the loss of up to 15 free agents.
The big dollars being doled out on the free agent market have made it even tougher for the Rays, who have even more limited than usual funds after the decision by principal owner Stuart Sternberg to reduce the payroll significantly from last year's franchise record $73 million-plus.
After making just minimal moves thus far, such as the signing of reliever Joel Peralta and the trade for Adam Russell and Cesar Ramos, the Rays are looking at potentially four remaining holes—two relievers with late inning experience, and hitters to take two of the three open spots in the lineup, at first base, left field and DH.
The challenge...
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