St. Petersburg, Fla. -- Matt Joyce enjoyed a breakout 2011 season. He was an all-star as the Rays' right fielder.
Optimism is abound for the 2012 Rays. ESPN's Buster Olney ranked Tampa Bay first overall heading into the season.
"Everybody's looking forward to this season," Joyce said. "Got a little pep in our step."
Joyce was one of eight current members of the Rays 40-man roster working out at Tropicana Field this week. But there was no outfield.
He was practicing at first base.
"That's the Rays," Joyce said. "They like guys to be versatile."
Plus, there is a vacancy at first, since Casey Kotchman is a free agent. Kotchman played stellar defense while leading the Rays with a .306 batting average.
One current option is Russ Canzler. He was the 2011 Triple A MVP at Durham.
Canzler played five positions but mostly third base. Clearly there is no void at third with all-star Evan Longoria, but Canzler has plenty of previous experience at first base.
And he knows that could be his ticket to the majors.
"As a guy who's trying to make his name in the major leagues," Canzler said. "You want to take you're openings where they are and try to take advantage of them.
"Hopefully I can show these guys I'm ready to play first base."
Travis Bell, 10 News