Rays 2009 player preview: Willy Aybar

February 19, 10:57 AMTampa Bay Rays ExaminerRob Quinn

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Aybar sliding in the Caribbean Series - AP/Guillermo Arias

Willy Aybar and the Rays avoided arbitration on Wednesday by agreeing on a two-year contract worth about $2.3 million with a third-year club option. Those are two words fans always love to hear – "avoided arbitration". Salary arbitration is often an ugly process and carries the potential to damage a team’s relationship with the player. Aybar should be feeling the love right now though after locking in the multi-year deal.

A valuable utility player, Aybar saw action at every infield position for the Rays in 2008. He also appeared as the designated hitter in 14 games. From August 8 through September 10 of 2008, Aybar filled in as the starting third baseman for Evan Longoria. Aybar hit .308 with five homers and 18 RBI in those 30 games while Longo was out. He was a big reason the Rays were able to post a 19-11 record in a key stretch without their rookie slugger.

Aybar will find himself right in the middle of a very crowded infield in Spring Training. The newly acquired Adam Kennedy will be looking for playing time at second base. Hotshot shortstop prospects Reid Brignac and Tim Beckham will try to show their stuff as well. Veteran third baseman Morgan Ensberg has also been invited to Rays’ Spring Training. Throw in starters Jason Bartlett, Evan Longoria, and Akinori Iwamura and you’ve got yourself plenty of talented players who all could contribute to an AL East repeat for the Rays.

As for Aybar’s playing time in 2009 – he should see a decent amount. Joe Maddon loves giving his regulars days off, which normally puts Aybar in the starting lineup. With B.J. Upton’s status uncertain for the season opener, Aybar could find himself as the starting DH on Opening Day. Here is my projected Opening Day lineup if Upton does not play:

1. Iwamura, 2B
2. Crawford, LF
3. Longoria, 3B
4. Pena, 1B
5. Burrell, RF
6. Kapler, CF
7. Aybar, DH
8. Navarro, C
9. Bartlett, SS

Of course, Maddon could go a number of ways with it – Gabe Gross could start in right with Burrell at DH and Aybar on the bench. Either way, Aybar should see his fair share of playing time as a versatile fill-in at any infield spot and DH.

My 2009 projection: .271, 9 HR, 48 RBI, 44 R, 288 AB

Aybar has already proven he is comfortable playing part-time, but he actually played his best when he was in the lineup regularly filling in for Longoria. Hopefully Joe Maddon will be able to find a pattern of playing time for Aybar which will maximize his production.

Willy Aybar on Baseball Reference

Willy Aybar on Retrosheet

Willy Aybar on FanGraphs

What do you think Aybar will do in 2009? Let me know in a comment.

As always, you can e-mail me for any reason aside from giving me relationship advice at raysexaminer@live.com