DALLAS -- The way manager Kevin Cash sees it, the Rays¡¯ rotation is ¡°probably the most exciting part¡± of their team heading into next year.

They¡¯re set to bring back steady veteran Zack Littell and the young trio of Ryan Pepiot, Shane Baz and Taj Bradley. Jeffrey Springs returned from Tommy John surgery late last season. Drew Rasmussen is preparing to rejoin the rotation after working as a reliever in his comeback from a third major elbow procedure.

And two-time All-Star Shane McClanahan will be back atop the starting staff after completing his recovery from Tommy John surgery, with Cash comparing the 27-year-old left-hander to American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.

¡°I think that¡¯s the most exciting thing that we were talking about heading into the offseason, and it¡¯s definitely this offseason going into Spring Training,¡± Cash said Tuesday afternoon during his Winter Meetings media session at the Hilton Anatole. ¡°You¡¯re adding a 1-1 [starter]. I know there¡¯s going to be limitations and talks about workload and all that, but we will take it step by step with Shane. There¡¯s nobody more talented than him.¡±

The Rays¡¯ surplus of strong starters also puts them in position to make a trade, with Springs and Littell considered the most likely candidates to move this offseason, although they have seen how quickly depth can be depleted by injuries.

¡°As we sit, we have seven starters that have established themselves as very good or better Major League starting pitchers. Want to be careful about how we navigate that, because as soon as you feel like you¡¯re in a good position, things can change quickly, as we¡¯ve experienced firsthand,¡± said president of baseball operations Erik Neander. ¡°We¡¯re really fortunate we¡¯re not going out there and chasing [starting pitching]. In terms of how that sorts itself out into camp, we¡¯re going to work through that.¡±

There will also be some questions about their returning starters¡¯ health and workloads, especially with McClanahan coming back from his second Tommy John surgery and Springs pitching 65 innings between the Majors and Minors this year. They will also keep a close eye on Rasmussen, who made 16 appearances for Tampa Bay last season but wanted to give starting another shot.

¡°This is something that Ras is really committed to,¡± Cash said. ¡°We care a lot about Ras, the person, the work that he put in to get back. I know the injury history and some of the concerns there, but if you¡¯re going to bet on somebody to carry a workload like that, with his work ethic, he¡¯d be the guy to do it.¡±

Even with those concerns in mind, it¡¯s clear the Rays are listening to offers. Neander said they weren¡¯t ¡°particularly close¡± to closing any deals on Tuesday. But they appear to be in a good position to trade a starter at some point, especially considering the high price clubs have paid for free-agent pitchers this offseason.

¡°There¡¯s certainly more interest in our players than what you might expect, given an 80-win season last year, but we really appreciate the group that we have,¡± Neander said. ¡°We¡¯re always going to be open to listening to calls and interest to see if there¡¯s a potential transaction that would be mutually beneficial.¡±

Around the horn

? The Rays will have the 14th pick in next year¡¯s Draft. They entered MLB¡¯s Draft Lottery on Tuesday with the 10th-best odds to land the top pick. The Nationals had the fourth-best odds and wound up getting the No. 1 overall selection.

? With three open spots on their 40-man roster, pending the official addition of free-agent catcher Danny Jansen, the Rays seem likely to pick up a player in Wednesday¡¯s Rule 5 Draft. Even if a Rule 5 pick doesn¡¯t make their Opening Day roster or stick all season, the Rays view it as a low-risk investment to potentially enhance their competition in Spring Training.

? Like Neander, Cash said he will encourage the club to lean into the unique circumstances of spending next season at Steinbrenner Field and focus on the present amid the uncertainty about their future.

¡°I'm going to bet on our group. I'm going to bet on our guys that are going to embrace it,¡± Cash said. ¡°We'll come together and do everything we can to make the most of it.¡±

? Neander said utility infielder Jos¨¦ Caballero will get some work in the outfield while playing winter ball for Aguilas in the Dominican Republic. The way their roster is currently constructed, Caballero would be the backup shortstop behind Taylor Walls and an option at second and third.

¡°He¡¯s so athletic. Why not let him explore it if there¡¯s an avenue for him to get at-bats while he¡¯s out there, see what it looks like?¡± Cash said, noting that they spoke about the plan before the season ended. ¡°The best thing about Cabby is he wants to win. He¡¯ll do whatever he needs to help us win. Certainly he wants to play, and he¡¯s an elite defender on the dirt. I think that could transition into the outfield in a pinch.¡±