The Rays Problem
The Tampa Bay Rays are in unfamiliar waters. Since 2009, the Rays have been perennial contenders. This year, however, they are fighting to keep themselves out of last place in the American League East. Their starting rotation has been decimated due to injuries to Alex Cobb, Matt Moore, and Jeremy Hellickson (Team SIA Profile). Even their powerful bats in the lineup like Wil Myers and Evan Longoria aren’t producing the way the team needs them to. With the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles all looking like potential contenders, it makes sense to question whether the Rays are able to overcome these issues and take back the American League East.
The Rays will finish out May playing the last place Red Sox at home. They swept Boston at Fenway Park last week, which was a big boost to the team as they climbed out of last place. After the Red Sox series wraps up, they play their Florida rival, the hot Miami Marlins in a huge four-game series.
The Rays will need to go on a run relatively soon before they lose too much ground on the teams above them.
Slump Could Lead To Trades
A big question going into this year was whether or not the team would trade David Price. Price was in his second year of contract arbitration eligibility, and was in line for a hefty raise. The Rays have a notoriously small payroll, and because of this there was lots of talk that Price could be flipped for premium prospects, as the Rays had done the previous offseason in the James Shields-Wil Myers trade. However, they kept Price, but of course they will soon once again need to consider whether they will pay him the big money to stay or trade him. So far this season, David Price has been inconsistent; at times he is great, but he’s been hit around a lot more this season than others. The Rays organization will likely still be fielding calls with increased frequency, as even a mediocre Price is better than a lot of pitchers other teams have in their rotations.
It would be sad to see Price leave the Rays as he has been their ace and pitching leader for years. But the reality is that without a new contract and the need for more power in the lineup, it is the right thing for the Rays to do for their future.
Opportunity for Younger Players
The one thing the team has done exceptionally well at is scouting and drafting players. Price, Alex Cobb, Jeremy Hellickson, Matt Moore, Evan Longoria, and Chris Archer were all products of the Rays farm system.
With the Rays struggling, you’re likely to see some call-ups this year, surely in September but perhaps sooner. Mikie Mahtook has been off to a solid start this season for the AAA Durham Bulls. He is hitting over .300 and has driven in 24 runs for the Bulls this season. Kevin Kiermaier has solid defensive prowess, hits for a good average and even has some speed on the base paths. He’s already seen action in five big league games so far this season, where he’s batted .250/.250/.500.
Mike Montgomery is a starting lefty with the Bulls who has already amassed a 6-1 record and 3.47 ERA. If the Rays continue to struggled with their pitching staff or trade Price, you may see him as well.
There is also Blake Snell, a tough lefty who struggled in 2013, but has opened 2014 with a 3-2 record and a lights-out 1.79 ERA.
The Rays look to have some quality talent out in the farm system. It may be for the benefit of the team to determine that with the sale of Price, the team can shore up on offense, knowing that they have some quality younger players in the system.
So are the Rays finished this season? Hardly. Despite their injuries, they still have a decent rotation and their best offensive players have been slumping. If those players can rebound and increase production, then the Rays are a much tougher team to face. Just look at the Blue Jays; in April many wrote them off, but they have been among the best teams in May and are now in first place.
The Rays have a long, tough road ahead. Trading Price will not mean the Rays are giving up on this season; it could even greatly improve the team for years to come. While the mountain might be too steep to win the division this year, expect them to fight until late in the season.
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