PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- What do you win for being baseball's best 2008 development, its most pleasant surprise and for achieving absolutely unprecedented success?

The snap answer to that question for the Tampa Bay Rays was: the American League pennant. That seemed like a fair return for skyrocketing from 66-96 to 97-65 in one season. But that was last October. What is the Rays' reward this spring? It's like this -- they either get better, or their position in baseball's toughest neighborhood, the AL East, gets worse.

That doesn't seem like a particularly just situation after everything that the Rays accomplished in 2008. But that is their reality in spring '09. With the New York Yankees lavishing $423.5 million on three players, with the Boston Red Sox loaded with pitching talent, standing still would amount to moving backward for Tampa Bay.

But this is, you will recall, a shrewd and diligent operation. The Rays get it and they get after it. Manager Joe Maddon on Monday not only responded to the need-for-improvement scenario with a comprehensive explanation of his club's circumstances, but also provided a blueprint on how it could improve.

"That's why '09 is better than, greater than '08," Maddon said with a smile, referring to the team's 2009 slogan. "We believe we're better, but the other teams apparently did some nice work, too. And after all, we didn't win the World Series last year, so the mission wasn't totally accomplished. But for us to get back to the playoffs, we have to be better than we were last year."

The question then becomes: Where do the Rays get better? Tampa Bay's success last season may have seemed miraculous to the casual observer, because you just don't see a 66-96 record turn into a 97-65 record that often. But the success was built upon the sturdiest of baseball commodities -- pitching and defense. The Rays were second in the AL in team ERA at 3.82. They were fourth in fewest errors committed. That left hitting as the most obvious area for improvement. Tampa Bay was merely ninth in the AL in runs scored last season.

"You look at the offensive side of the ball, a lot of our guys did not have their typical years last year," Maddon said. "I think there is more to be had on the offensive side of things.

"I think our baserunning was good, but it can be even better. I think our defense, in spite of how good it was, I'm really challenging our guys to be even better defensively. The pitching I would at least like to remain status quo. I guess what I'm saying is that we could get better in all areas, but the one that would be most easily noticeable should be the offensive side."

These are high, but not unlikely, aspirations. When Maddon is asked about the potential for defensive improvements, his answer makes it clear how high his expectations are.

"I just have a real high opinion of our guys on defense," the manager said. "As last season was in progress, we made [fewer] mental errors than we had made previous to that. I'm not just talking about cutting down on the physical errors, I'm also taking about the mental side of things.

"I just believe we have a bunch of guys out there who should be considered among the best at their position, and I'd really like to see more than one of our guys win a Gold Glove this year. And that's what I've been challenging them."

First baseman Carlos Pena was the only member of the Rays to win a Gold Glove last year. When asked which of his players are potential Gold Glovers, Maddon named the players at seven of the eight regular positions. He did not name a right fielder to this list, but that, Maddon noted, was not because of a defensive deficiency, but because right field is likely to be a platoon situation, and thus not a probable Gold Glove winner.

The Rays, on paper at least, could be better than they were last season. They have improved depth in the infield and the outfield and the bullpen. They have suffered dramatic personnel losses from last season, but they have added, for instance, Pat Burrell as designated hitter, outfielders Gabe Kapler and Matt Joyce, and relievers Jason Isringhausen, Joe Nelson and Brian Shouse. Isringhausen could be a key pickup. If he can regain the form that earned him 293 career saves, he could provide insurance as a closer, or at the very least, a valuable setup presence.

So if Tampa Bay can't afford to stand still, there is also evidence that it continues to move forward.

Not only is the playing talent improving, the surroundings have also been upgraded. Befitting their new and lofty status, the Rays have new and improved Spring Training digs. Moving down the Gulf Coast from their previous spring home in St. Petersburg, their spring headquarters is now the Charlotte Sports Park. This facility was once the spring home of the Texas Rangers, who moved to Arizona in 2003. But the Sports Park has been so utterly, completely, totally renovated that it seems to be entirely new.

The facility is state-of-the-art in its creature comforts. Tampa Bay held a free open house at Charlotte Sports Park on Monday, featuring the team's first workout on the stadium field. About 3,000 fans attended. The atmosphere was suitably upbeat and appreciative. The wooden boardwalk encircling the ballpark is a nice feature. The tiki bar beyond center field creates sort of a Polynesian feel that you won't encounter at the average ballpark in more northern latitudes.

This is a first-class Spring Training facility, which is suitable for an elite Major League team. That would be the Tampa Bay Rays. If the Rays have to get better to stay on top, the good news is that this is a young team, still with room to grow. And this is an organization that gives every indication of being able to sustain a lengthy run of success.