Playoff Roster

With only 14 games left, an 8 game lead over the Twins, and a 99.9% chance of making the playoffs, I think now's a good time to take a look at what the postseason roster will look like. This is my opinion on what I think the Rays will do, not what I think they should do.

First of all, the locks to make the roster.

C Dioner Navarro
1B Carlos Pena
2B Aki Iwamura
SS Jason Bartlett
3B Evan Longoria
OF Gabe Gross
OF Carl Crawford (Only if healthy obviously)
OF BJ Upton (Same as Crawford)
DH Cliff Floyd

SP James Shields
SP Matt Garza
SP Scott Kazmir
RP JP Howell
RP Chad Bradford
RP Grant Balfour
RP Dan Wheeler
SP/RP Andy Sonnanstine
SP/RP Edwin Jackson

So far that's 18 players that I think are lock to make the team. Depending on if there are 11 or 12 pitches placed on the roster, there are 2 or 3 pitching spots left and 4 or 5 postion spots up for grabs.

A backup catcher  will take up one of those spots, and it looking like Riggans is out for the season, it comes down to Hernandez or Jaso. Things could change but right now, I think Hernandez has the edge due to the lack of playing time Jaso has received.

Zobrist is 90% certain of being on the roster due to his postion flexibility and all the playing time he's received. Aybar too should make the roster as a backup and possibly platooning at DH with Floyd. With the infield locked down, it looks like Dan Johnson will be the odd man out.

In the outfield, it appears that Perez is playing his way onto the postseason roster. Due to Hinske's prolonged slump and horrible defense, I think he will be the last guy out unless Crawford or Upton aren't healthy by Ocotber, or if the Rays decide to carry only 11 pitchers.

I think everyone here would be extremely disappointed if Price isn't on the playoff roster. He looks like a safe bet after his first outing to not only make the roster, but possibly be the fourth starter. I think Miller will also make the roster, pitching only to 1 or 2 lefties an outing, if he is used at all. That leaves one spot which I think Percy will get over Niemann and Hammel. Maddon's stuck with him all year and there's no reason to think that will change in the playoffs. So here's the final projected roster.

Lineup
C Navarro
1B Pena
2B Iwamura
SS Bartlett
3B Longoria
LF Crawford
CF Upton
RF Gross
DH Floyd/Aybar

Bench
Hernandez
Zobrist
Perez

Starters
Shields
Kazmir
Garza
Sonnanstine

Bullpen
Price
Jackson
Howell
Bradford
Balfour
Wheeler
Percival
Miller