PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- With the shortstop position in question for the start of the season, Rays manager Kevin Cash will need to play the balancing game.
Matt Duffy is penciled in as the everyday shortstop, but he has been slow to recover from his offseason heel surgery. Given Duffy's uncertain status, Tim Beckham will likely be the beneficiary of Cash's balancing act.
Complicating matters further is the fact the Rays want Beckham to learn to play outfield, so he can offer more flexibility to the roster. Playing shortstop takes away potential innings in the outfield for Beckham.