Everything dies, baby that’s a fact, But maybe everything that dies, someday comes back.
-Bruce Springsteen
So here we sit again, another plus 90 win season under the belt, questioning what more could have been done. Perhaps the Rays would be in better straits, had they won half of the 28 losses that came by one or two runs (10 at the hands of sub .500 teams). Or, hadn’t their offensive numbers dropped off in the second half of the season, while the pitching numbers (as a whole) increased in all the wrong areas, we’d be talking about a team ready to face the A’s or Tigers in the ALCS. Whatever the case, after winning four consecutive elimination games, the Rays are packing their lockers, as opposed to their bags en route to Oakland or Detroit.
Simply put, the Rays got bested – no ands, ifs, or buts about it. As a whole, this season, the bullpen had a hard time performing in critical situations, the offense couldn’t piece together wRISP situations, and a lack of tenacity (in a manner of speaking) on the base paths sounded the death knell for the Rays. Game 3 of the ALDS was a microcosm of the season at large. Blame the months of April, June, and August, compounded with their inconsistent play in the ALDS, for their early exit from postseason play.
Now begins the agonizing off-season — one that promises to be filled with doom and gloom scenarios surrounding the Stadium Saga, annoying discussions regarding the reduction of the 2014 team payroll, and rumors of who may be on the chopping block. Oof.
Whatever the case, I love my small market team. Credit where it’s due — considering the circumstances, Joe Maddon did everything he could with the tools he had. The challenge of leaping over the 90 game hurdle presented itself, and the Rays cleared it by winning 92. Also gone is the albatross of not making it past the first round of the playoffs — something that’s plagued them since the 2008 World Series season. These are things we, the Rays Republic, should be proud of. In the words of every Cubs fan, maybe next year… I mean, DEFINITELY next year. Only 173 days and counting until Opening Day against the Blue Jays.
Moving forward.
After a brief respite, one where I’ll be researching numbers, etc, I’ll start the arduous task of writing about who may be here in 2014, who may get traded (and for whom or what), and who’ll hit the free-agent market. That said, who do you think may be here, or gone, next season, what positions will need bolstering, and what will it take to get back to the postseason in 2014? Feel free to leave your comments below!