Buy, sell or stay: Tampa Bay Rays

It seems like the American League East standings change on a daily basis (although the Boston Red Sox remain in first place). Thus for the third day in a row, I am focusing my "buy, sell or stay" series on the second-place team in the division. This time, it's the red-hot Tampa Bay Rays, winners of five straight games.

Strength: Offensive balance. Outside of James Loney's .319 batting average, nobody really stands out in terms of consistent contributions at the plate. But they all chip in -- in their own way. With Evan Longoria, it's  with power (40 extra base hits, .521 slugging percentage). With Desmond Jennings, it's a combination of speed (13 stolen bases) and power (10 home runs).With Ben Zobrist, it's making the most of his hits (47 RBI in 87 hits). This is a line-up that just keeps creating runs.

Weakness: Pitching. It's a mild weakness, since their staff is one of the most difficult to hit (opponents are batting .239 against them). However, what can't be ignored is the fact that they don't have a shutdown closer (Fernando Rodney carries a 4.10 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP to go along with his 20 saves). The starting rotation should be fine now that David Price is back from a six-week absence, and it should get better once Alex Cobb returns from his concussion.

Buy, sell or stay the course? If they can do so without having to sell off too much of their young talent, the Rays should buy a closer. Rodney is walking too many batters (24 in the first three months) and allowing too many hits (26) for someone in his position. There have to be better alternatives available.