Tampa Bay Rays: Recap of the 2017 season with a look at the offseason coming up.

Tampa Bay Rays

Recap of 2017:

The Tampa Bay Rays had an average season just by the numbers; but a very good season for what fans were expecting. In 2016 they finished last in their division; and had one of the worst records in baseball. They went 68-94 which was worse than what people thought. Nonetheless the Rays made huge strides this 2017 season.

One of those strides was the starting pitching staff in Tampa. Their ace Chris Archer who was coming off an awful year in 2016; where he went 9-19 with a 4.02 ERA. He looked to improve that this season. His record was better; Archer went 10-12 but his ERA fell a little bit going to a 4.07. Not exactly what you think in ace, but he did eat up a lot of innings this season for that bullpen; being 11th in the league in Innings Pitched (IP). Alex Cobb also came back this season after missing 2016. Cobb had Tommy John Surgery in September of 2015; which sidelined him for most of 2016. He came out looking strong this season; after now really throwing in a meaningful game all of 2016. In 2017 Cobb had a 12-10 record with a 3.66 ERA. He had the 23rd lowest ERA in the league; while also having the 22nd lowest WHIP in the league, which was 1.22. These two starters were the notables going into the season and really led this pitching rotation.

The Rays had to fill their 3-5 spots in the rotation this season; with call ups and not big money free agents. The Rays did hush the critics though this season; when looking at their numbers compared to their expectations. They were in the top 10 in 3 stats that I think are very important to look at when evaluating a pitcher. They were 10th in IP, which gave that bullpen that looked shaky going into the season's less time out there. In those innings pitched the Rays starters were 8th in the league in both ERA and BAA. Their ERA that was at 3.97 this season which was more than surprising  going off the 2016 season; showed a lot of improvement. The Rays starting rotation really is what led this team in the right direction.         

The offense for the Tampa Bay however did not look too great once again. They won games by the starting rotation eating up innings with good pitching; then the bullpen would close the tight game. When the Rays organization caught wind of them actually being in the playoff race way back in July they had to get a bat. They got Lucas Duda from the New York Mets to help improve the power but not the OBP or BA for the team. Lucas Duda hit 30 home runs with a .322 OBP for the Mets/Rays this season. He did not do a good job besides hitting home run or hard singles; it was a hit or miss type of season. Duda had a .217 batting average which is not that at all good. This is where the saying “didn’t even hit your weight” would work. The Rays got a nice power threat surprise from first baseman Logan Morrison. He was 8th in the league for home runs with 38. He hit .246 which is okay; better than what they were expecting but  he really showed off that home run trot this year. These two are the ones that were the beef of the order; and what drove that rusty beat up 1986 Chevy in Tampa Bay.

The Rays offense as a whole was very poor this season; except for the long ball which the Rays had working this season. The Rays were 6th in home runs; getting the fans excited. The sad part on the other side of these stats is that is the only thing they could do effectively this year. Even being 6th in the league in home runs; Tampa Bay were 23rd in RBIs. So it either was home run or nothing this season. They were also only 25th in runs; which shows that there was also a lot of solo home runs. Not a lot of 2 run and 3 run home runs for the Rays this season. Being 23rd in RBIs is not very good considering they were in a playoff race at one point. The offense really could never get a lot going being a below average offense. They finished 25th in AVG and 22rd OBP. Like I said a whole lot of single run home runs in Tampa Bay. Which makes you wonder why they got a guy like Lucas Duda who is all about power. Not exactly going to improve your average, but should be their to beef up your order; which they did not need.

Even though many people did not expect it, the Rays bullpen did pitch very well this season. Not really knowing who would be the closer or setup man going into the season. In the beginning of the season Alex Colomé took over the season at closer...full time. He had a very good season he had 47 saves a 3.24 ERA with a1.20 WHIP. A nice closer to shut down the door on the tight games and high pressured games he was thrown into constantly. The Rays bullpen was 8th in the league in ERA; while also being 6th in BAA. The opposing team usually did not find a way in getting offense created off the bullpen down in Tampa Bay.  

The Rays finished the season one win away from .500 going 80-82 in the regular season. They were in the Wild Card hunt for a while but the dog days of August really got to them. They finished 3rd in the AL East which was a huge unexpected improvement compared to the 2016 season. They did miss the playoffs but fans should be happy with their season.

Notable Free Agents:

1B/DH Lucas Duda

RP Sergio Romo

SP Alex Cobb

3B Trevor Plouffe

1B Logan Morrison

RP Tommy Hunter

OF Peter Bourjos

Who To Keep:

1B/DH Lucas Duda:

Lucas Duda wasn’t the batter they needed; but he is a very nice one to have. Hey 30 home runs is not something you should get rid of; if he get can his average higher he can be a very effective DH. They should try to keep that power in their lineup or they will have nothing.

RP Sergio Romo:

He did not at all have a good season but can next year. He has pitched in a lot of big games closing out the Giants 2014 World Series nice veteran arm. He will be cheap since he has a 6.12 ERA. He will be a good middle reliever to have in that very good bullpen.  

SP Alex Cobb:

If Alex Cobb doesn’t want to much they should keep Alex Cobb. He was very effective at the top of that rotation that led this team. If he goes they really don’t have anyone that fills up the 2nd spot in the rotation.

1B Logan Morrison:

They should 100% try and get Logan Morrison back. He might look for to much money since this is his chance to get paid; after his 38 home run season. The Rays need him for their power factor like with Duda. If they don’t have that power they really don’t have anything.

RP Tommy Hunter:

Tommy Hunter is someone that was a starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers turned into a bullpen pitcher. Bouncing around to the Orioles a couple a times, Blue Jays, and Cleveland all of 2016. He came to Tampa Bay and sure would like to make a home in Tampa Bay. Where all he would do is chew innings for a cheap price.

OF Peter Bourjos:

Bourjos is also nice to have. He is cheap; he can be a problem on the base paths. He plays good defense, can start but also come off the bench. They Rays should fill a spot for Boujos in their roster this offseason.

Who To Go Get:

SP Trevor Cahill:

Cahill would be a nice get for the Rays; especially for the rotation. He has a good arm and can be very effective. If Cobb leaves he might not be a 2nd starter in the big pitcher but he would work there. If they went and got another pitcher like Cahill they could survive.

Tyler Chatwood:

Someone like Chatwood is the type of pitcher the Rays should get with Cahill. He won’t be that expensive and he can fill that 3rd spot. If they get Cobb back they could afford all 3. Chatwood would work out in any scenario for the Rays.  

OF Melky Cabrera:

He is getting old but it still doing pretty active in the league. His average for the White Sox was .295 and for the Royals this season .269. He can still hit for his team; and for a team that has trouble getting a single or double to score. Melky Cabrera could be a cheap one to get that for.

OF Andre Ethier:

Ethier is finally leaving the Dodgers after 12 years with the team. He has not played much the last 2 years; and Tampa Bay needs players in the outfield. Either can still be effective especially in a perfect system for him in Tampa Bay. Since he would like to play and they don’t have many everyday outfields.  

OF Ben Revere:

Another not expensive player. The Rays should definitely get Ben Revere he is only 29 and wants to play. He won’t cost a lot nothing the Rays can’t afford. Even if you have to go above budget Ben Revere can be very good in that Tampa Bay outfield.  

What’s Next?:

The Rays are in a rebuild/reload type of situation. They had a surprisingly successful season last year and would like to continue that. Evan Longoria isn’t getting any younger. They might not have the money or the prospects to win it all. They can however look to play small ball in a moneyball style. If they can get hitters that get on base with that power the Rays could be very good if the pieces fall in the right place next year.

By

Matthew Doherty