This story was excerpted from Adam Berry's Rays Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

TAMPA, Fla. -- If this offseason has been any indication, the American League East isn¡¯t going to give the Rays a break next year.

Fresh off a trip to the World Series, the Yankees have pivoted from the loss of Juan Soto by scooping up starter Max Fried, closer Devin Williams and outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger. The Red Sox made a big, Chris Sale-esque trade for Garrett Crochet and, after a few quiet years, seem determined to add more. The Blue Jays were reportedly in the mix for Soto, too, and have a sense of urgency as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette approach free agency. And the Orioles¡¯ young talent isn¡¯t going anywhere anytime soon.

Where does that leave the Rays as they look to rebound from a disappointing 80-win season?

Their winter was thrown off course before it even began, as Hurricane Milton rendered Tropicana Field unplayable in early October. Much of the past few months has been consumed by news about their stadium situation(s) and wondering what kind of impact that will have on their short- and long-term future.

But they found an interim home ballpark at Steinbrenner Field and filled the most glaring hole on their roster by signing free-agent catcher Danny Jansen. They tried to juice more offense out of center field by trading Jose Siri and giving the job to Jonny DeLuca. They¡¯ve held on to potentially tradeable veteran hitters in Yandy D¨ªaz and Brandon Lowe. They resolved their rotation logjam by trading Jeffrey Springs to the Athletics but added critical pitching depth through that deal and several others.

There¡¯s plenty of time left before Spring Training begins. Opening Day is even further away. The question now facing the Rays: Have they done enough?

Speaking at the Winter Meetings, president of baseball operations Erik Neander said the Rays ¡°feel really good about the pitching side¡± of their roster. That¡¯s understandable. Consider their rotation options on their 40-man roster:

Projected rotation candidates: Shane McClanahan, Shane Baz, Ryan Pepiot, Taj Bradley, Zack Littell, Drew Rasmussen

Projected rotation depth: Jacob Waguespack, Mike Vasil (Rule 5 Draft pick), Joe Boyle, Joe Rock, Ian Seymour, Yoniel Curet

The first group offers a tremendous amount of upside. Back from Tommy John surgery, McClanahan is a two-time All-Star. Baz, Pepiot and Bradley took strides last season. Rasmussen has been dominant when healthy. Littell might have the group¡¯s lowest ceiling, and he just put up a team-high 2.8 bWAR and a 3.63 ERA (110 ERA+) over 29 starts in his first full season as a big league starter.

Manager Kevin Cash said in Dallas that the Rays¡¯ rotation is ¡°probably the most exciting part about our club,¡± then later added they should be ¡°very similarly excited¡± about their bullpen.

The relief corps came together in an unexpected but remarkably effective way late last season, giving the Rays this group to look forward to without even considering any late additions or non-roster surprises:

Projected bullpen candidates: Pete Fairbanks, Edwin Uceta, Manuel Rodr¨ªguez, Kevin Kelly, Mason Montgomery, Garrett Cleavinger, Hunter Bigge, Cole Sulser, Eric Orze, Waguespack, Vasil, Nate Lavender (Rule 5 Draft pick expected to be healthy midseason)

There are more reasons to be skeptical about Tampa Bay¡¯s lineup. The Rays scored 604 runs this past season, more than only the White Sox. They were banged up at times, sure. A lot of key players underperformed, yes. They¡¯ll spend next year in a more hitter-friendly environment, of course. But it¡¯s still an obvious area in need of improvement.

You can look at the names and talk yourself into this group, as it stands now, bouncing back and at least producing enough to support the pitching staff:

1. Yandy D¨ªaz, 1B
2. Brandon Lowe, 2B
3. Junior Caminero, 3B
4. Josh Lowe, RF
5. Christopher Morel, LF
6. Jonathan Aranda, DH
7. Danny Jansen, C
8. Jonny DeLuca, CF
9. Taylor Walls, SS

Bench/platoon options/40-man depth: C Ben Rortvedt, INF Jos¨¦ Caballero, OF/INF Richie Palacios, INF Curtis Mead, OF Jake Mangum, OF Kameron Misner, INF Osleivis Basabe, C Logan Driscoll

Is it enough? That¡¯s the question.

¡°A lot of belief in our offensive group,¡± Cash said during the Winter Meetings. ¡°Really like the way some of the guys finished in September, highlighted by some young players between Junior and Jonny Aranda. We know what Brandon and Yandy can do, and I think you're just adding playing outdoors at that ballpark.

¡°Our venue has maybe not been the friendliest to left-handed hitters in the 10 years I've been there. I think we could see a really quick turnaround, and if we get some of those winds we've seen in the past, that's going to make it more friendly for righties and lefties.¡±