Evan Longoria Confident Despite Rays Roster Loss

All-Star third baseman Evan Longoria remains confident that the Tampa Bay Rays will remain remain competitive in the American League East despite the loss of outfield superstar Carl Crawford to the rival Red Sox, rotation ace Matt Garza to the Cubs and other ongoing roster changes.

'I'm positive, very positive," Longoria told KLAC Radio 570 in Los Angeles. "We have a great group of guys, a corps group of guys."

Interviewed in advance of his Jan. 27 keynote speaking appearance for the opening of the baseball season at Long Beach State, his alma mater -- Longoria said he and star outfielder B.J. Upton, infielder Reid Brignac, first baseman Dan Johnson and others can be expected to pick up the slack. A number of other top prospects are also ready to burst onto the scene soon, he noted.

Highlighting a rotation headed by ace David Price, Longoria said: "We have a lot of talent left."

B.J. Upton to Return to Rays After Being Benched

Rays outfielder B.J. Upton -- benched by manager Joe Maddon in the sixth inning of Friday's game for failing to hustle -- will return to the lineup today, Maddon told the St. Petersburg Times.

It was the second time Upton has been disciplined in as many weeks, most recently failing to play crisply in an attempt to turn a double play, and having dogged it running out a grounder on Aug. 6.

Upton -- who will observe his 24th birthday on Wednesday -- is hitting a mediocre .264, but his more than .370 on-base percentage has enabled him to steal 36 bags.