A Ray of sunshine. That is what the Tampa team is, and, well, their cross-state NL counterparts, The Fish are right there along with the first place Rays.

I remember years back discussing the possibilities of a successful franchise existing in Tampa with Bill Gilbert. He didn't think they could do it: I hoped if they could field a team they could.

Well, they have a team, in fact they are one of those fantasy models, where if you want to see how to assemble a team, and keep it going, looking to Florida is not a bad move.

Looking at how Tampa began, looking largely like the 62' Mets and Astros, expansion teams peppered with youngsters who had not made it, and likely would not, and vets who could simply not get it done when the bullet hit the bone.

And, it seems even when Tampa tried to do something judicious, with a good prospect, like Dewan Brazelton or b, the guys couldn't play. Or Midre Cuumings, Elijah Dukes, or Delmon Young, for the guys could play, but their heads would not stay on the field.

Otherwise, it was the likes of Wilson Alvarez, Raul Cassanova, and free agents, like Vinny Castilla, who produced, but did not really provide anything but an expensive paycheck. How about Charles Johnson?

But, with some astute drafting, and some moves I think kind of picked up momentum with the great acquisition of Scott Kazmir for Victor Zambrano (I will never figure that one out), Tampa has moved forward with a rebuilding that is a model for anyone.

So, now they have a nice little team, that if management continues the path, should be competitive for the next few years, and maybe longer.

Of course, Tampa still has to duke it out with Boston and New York and their largesse, not to mention two well enough run franchises in Baltimore and Toronto. So, the Rays do indeed have a tough row to hoe.

But, by following the build a young team and turn the players over model adopted by a number of smaller marekts, and/or budgets, look at Minnesota, Oakland, and, well, Florida.

For, who thought after "dumping" Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis, that the Marlins would turn into Flying Fish?

But that is exactly what the Marlins, with Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla (one of those Rule 5 guys who delivered) and soon to be coveted everywhere, Jeremy Hermida, Florida is harboring some excellent you position players.

It is the pitching for the Marlins that seems like it could be a soft spot this year, as one has to wonder how Scott Olsen went from being the most hittable, to one of the least hit hurlers in the league over the course of a year.

But, when we think of the Yankees and Mets and Tigers, all with high payrolls and very high expecations, and all are struggling.

Now, I fully expect all three of those teams to be in the hunt when the stretch comes, but this year I think Tampa will be there as well. And maybe Florida, as well.

Whether that will prove to be enough to make Tampa a succesful franchise, however, is still up to the fans. I am rooting for them!