Brad Boxberger pitching in relief last season. (Photo Credit: Philip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Brad Boxberger pitching in relief last season. (Photo Credit: Philip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Just two-weeks removed from the Corey Dickerson/Jake McGee trade, the Tampa Bay Rays have a huge hole to fill in their bullpen.

There’s no doubt that the biggest disappointment last year for the Rays was the ineptitude of their bullpen.  They yielded an MLB worst 27 blown saves and were atrocious in extra inning games (2-13 in 2015).  Some of these losses can be attributed to an unproductive offense (ranked 25th MLB: 13th A.L.); which the Rays hope to have addressed with the acquisition of Dickerson and Pearce. However, McGee’s .938 WHIP and 11.57 K/9 will be sorely missed. The obvious question now is Can the Rays replace their most reliable reliever? Let’s assess the pitchers whom the Rays will be relying on heavily to fill the void this year.

Brad Boxberger

Boxberger led the A.L. in saves last year with 41 and had an impressive first half of the season earning him a spot on the A.L. all star team, but during the second half of the season, Boxberger sputtered and finished with a dismal 4-10 record 6 blown saves and a 4.6 BB/9 ratio. Boxberger has proven he can handle the workload, but down the stretch was overworked by the thin Rays pen. Boxy should bounce back granted there’s someone who will emerge as the 7th or 8th inning guy, which brings us to our next player who the Rays hope will help fill McGee’s void.

Alex Colome

Colome proved to be a valuable asset in ’15 splitting time between the starting rotation and the pen. Colome posted an 8-5 record with an ERA of 3.94, but was most impressive when used out of the pen during the latter part of the season. Colome went 5-1 with a 2.66 ERA and 8 holds in 30 relief appearances.  The Rays are banking that Colome can produce similar numbers in ’16 and resume his duties as the set-up man to Boxberger.

Danny Farquar

It seems every year the Rays have an intriguing reclamation project in their bullpen going into spring training. They haven’t quite worked out in recent years. For example, Ernesto Frieri and Grant Balfour part II. But there’s a higher ceiling for Danny Farquar. His ’15 season was a debacle going 1-8 and posting a 5.12 ERA. If Hickey and staff can help him get command of his Cutter, we could see a return of the prowess he displayed in ’14. Farquar posted a 2.66 ERA and a 10.27 K/9.and 1.13 WHIP in 66 relief appearances. That type of production could provide a huge boost to a pen that was severely overused last season.

Enny Romero

The Rays are high on Romero and given the lack of LHP out of the pen, Romero will probably make the opening day’s roster. Romero’s ’15 season was lackluster, posting and ERA of 5.10 in 23 appearances last year. Mainly a starter, Romero’s career ERA in the minors was 3.70. The Rays are hoping Romero can make an adjustment this year and can be a reliable lefty in late game situations.

Xavier Cedeno

Cedeno is the only other lefty on the Rays roster from last year. Cedeno posted good numbers in ’15 with a 2.09 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and and impressive 9.0 K/9. Look for and increased role from Cedeno moving forward.

Other relievers

Long time prospect Matt Andriese went 1-3 out of the pen last year with an ERA of 4.75. Much like Romero, The Rays are looking for Andriese to elevate his game to the next level. Steve Geltz put up a solid 3.74 ERA and a WHIP of 1.05 in 70 relief appearances. 

In conclusion

If the Rays fail to deal one of their starting pitchers before the season begins, they always have the option of moving Erasmo Ramirez or Drew Smyly to the pen once Alex Cobb returns from Tommy John surgery in May.

With Pitchers and Catchers reporting to Port Charlotte this week the Rays must make improving their bullpen a priority this spring. With the Addition of Aroldis Chapman (Yankees) and Craig Kimbrell (Red Sox) to the A.L. East, the Rays will definitely have their work cut out for them in later innings versus their main division foes. One thing the Rays pride themselves on is piecing together competent bullpen by utilizing their minor league rosters as well. Will it be enough this year to keep them in the hunt for the A.L. East? The Rays no doubt have another play in the works whether it’s via trade, minor league signing or the Spring Training scrap heap. Either way adding an impact arm to the bullpen before opening day is imperative.

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