What’s the starting rotation look like next year, sans injuries that inevitably happen?
-- @DRaysFan101

The Rays have an opportunity to go into the 2019 season with one of the best starting rotations in the American League. Tampa Bay will get Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Yonny Chirinos at full health. They will join Charlie Morton and Ryan Yarbrough to form a legit starting rotation. And you’re right, injuries are part of the game, and the Rays dealt with a ton last season. But they’ll have good depth behind their top five starters. Brendan McKay would still be available. So will Trevor Richards, and then there’s Anthony Banda and José De León who can help. If Austin Pruitt is back in the fold, he also can provide innings if injuries start piling up again. But either way, even if the Rays don’t add in the offseason, they’re very excited about the rotation.

Going into the offseason, it doesn’t appear that the Rays have any glaring holes, other than re-signing Travis d’Arnaud. What moves should the Rays make to put them over the top?
-- @brantleydc

Trying to figure out the market for d’Arnaud is certainly the first step for the Rays. Regardless of whether the Rays decide to keep Mike Zunino or choose to non-tender him, catcher will be an area of need in the offseason. The bullpen is going to be good again, especially if José Alvarado can find his groove, but adding a veteran piece to the back end of the bullpen will continue to add to that strength. Finding a big bat that can slide into the middle of the lineup will be key for the Rays, but that’s easier said than done. It will be interesting to see whether the Rays tap into their Minor League system to try to trade for a big bopper.

Which young player will take priority on the “get extended” list? Willy Adames, Austin Meadows, Glasnow, other?
-- @JArnholz

This will start to heat up during Spring Training, but the Rays certainly have options. Meadows had the best year of the group, and he could be next in line to get paid. Adames continues to develop into a really good Major League shortstop and has made himself into a face of the franchise. Glasnow is heading into arbitration this offseason, and it will be interesting to see how much he’s going to get there. The Rays have a lot of young players on the roster and in the Minors, so they’ll weigh their options during the offseason.

Who are the potential candidates down in the minors who will be protected come the Rule 5 Draft?
-- @tblightning2004

The likely options to be added to the 40-man roster and avoid Rule 5 Draft exposure include infielder Vidal Brujan, catcher Ronaldo Hernandez, infielder/pitcher Jake Cronenworth, infielder Lucius Fox and infielder Kevin Padlo.

What’s the deal with Wander Franco? When will he arrive? Where will he play?
-- @sevas_cardona

Franco mania will continue in 2020, and it’s with reason. Franco, the top overall prospect in the MLB Pipeline rankings, likely will start in Double-A Montgomery after hitting .339 in 52 games with Class A Advanced Charlotte in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League. However, it’s still important to keep in mind that Franco will be turning 19 years old and the Rays won’t rush his development, as they believe he’s a generational talent. Once he makes it to the Majors, they’ll figure out what his initial position will be.