Many preseason predictions had the big-spending New York Mets and the traditionally low-budget Tampa Bay Rays at opposite ends of the performance spectrum. Just past the quarter pole in the Major League season, however, both are in unexpected positions.
The Rays, who consistently take their budget more seriously than most teams, are ahead of the game, given their market and factoring in that the New York Yankees can outspend any team if they decide to toss a truckload of financial eggs into the basket.
