As of Thursday, nearly 50 Tampa Bay Rays players are already working out, with the first official session for pitchers and catchers set for Sunday morning.
In a pre-camp media session, President of Baseball Operations Matt Silverman said the pieces are in place to contend for a playoff spot, with manager Kevin Cash agreeing whole-heartedly:
How can you not be excited? If you think we’re healthier, which we are right now, and we’ve added to our lineup. We thought we made some really good adjustments at the end of the year, the last two months, and all they’ve done this offseason is brought some guys in that have a track record of hitting. So, yes.
“I think it’s a great computer,” Cash said when asked about Baseball Prospectus’ 91-win PECOTA projection.
In a piece for the Tampa Bay Times, Marc Topkin listed some highlights from the media session:
― New addition RHP Ryan Webb will add a needed ground ball pitcher to the bullpen, giving the Rays a weapon when they need a double play grounder. (More on Webb below)
― Cash said one way to manage the Jake McGee-less bullpen is to have relievers able to go one-plus innings, which they will experiment with in spring training. He also said that while Brad Boxberger will be the closer there may not be a set set-up guy.
― Silverman said LH Matt Moore and LH Drew Smyly, who both returned last season from injuries, will come into camp “full go.” Silverman said there will be discussions with the medical staff on managing their workload.
― Team VP Rick Vaughn said there was still no official word on the proposed March trip to Cuba. There are reports President Obama will make a visit in the same March 21-22 window. No word if he will pitch an inning.
― Silverman said C Justin O’Conner is having back issues, and will be behind at start of camp. They will have an update in a few days.
― Cash said Smyly went and stayed with a physical therapist to work on shoulder during off-season and team has gotten “rave reviews.”
― Cash said RHP Jake Odorizzi “put on a little bit more muscle, more weight” and will benefit from more experience
― Cash said OF Desmond Jennings, who missed most of last season with left knee and dental issues, is in a good spot. He took off some weight to “lighten” load on his legs (ie, troublesome left knee) playing OF and to recover quicker.
Silverman also joined the Hot Stove to discuss the PECOTA projections, advanced metrics and more:
…On RHP Ryan Webb
On Thursday, the Rays officially announced the signing of 30 year-old RHP reliever Ryan Webb to a one-year, $1-million Major League deal with incentives, tallying up to $500,000 more based on appearances.
In order to make room for Webb on the 40-man roster, Chase Whitley was added to the 60-day DL. Whiteley is recovering from Tommy John surgery and is expected to be activated in late July.
The question begs, what does Webb offer to the team?
First and foremost, Webb offers veteran experience. The righty has collected 357 games (376 innings pitched) in his 10 professional years, including the finishing of 98 games. He spent most of last season with Cleveland, collecting a 1-0 record and a 3.20 ERA (3.77 FIP) in 40 games. He pitched previously with the Padres, Marlins and Orioles, with a career 17-18 record and a 3.35 ERA (3.43 ERA) in 357 big-league games. He, however, has nary a save under his belt.
According to Brooks Baseball, in 2015 he relied primarily on his 93 mph sinker and 84 mph slider, while also mixing in an 85 mph change-up. He also boasts a 92 mph four-seam fastball which he rarely throws.
The difference in velocity between his sinker and secondary pitches (slider and change-up) is something to take note of. That 10 mph differential should keep batters off balance.
As Mat Germain (DRaysBay) pointed out, the kiss-off of his four-seam fastball is rather intriguing:
The most curious thing to note here is the complete dismissal of his four seam fastball. I’ll be interested to see if the Rays bring it back some, not much, and if it helps make him more effective overall. What I do like most, however, is the increased confidence in his change up, something that can really help him tie up hitters.
In all likelihood, Webb will end up in a middle relief spot. After all, over the last two seasons, both Cleveland and Baltimore used him sparingly in medium-to-high leverage situations. His projected 55 innings of work in 2016 speaks to that.
Germain also touched on Webb’s performance in low, medium, and high leverage situations:
The good result would include his performance each season in low leverage situations, where he held opponents to a .212/.250/.323 line in 2014, but this changed in 2015 when he allowed a worrisome .268/.316/.423 line against and .317 wOBA. On the flip side, he only allowed 2 hits and 1 walk while facing 29 batters in medium and high leverage situations in 2015, which likely indicates he was used in ideal situations.
What most Rays fans likely want to know as well is how well he fared with runners on base and with runners in scoring position. Here are his performances over the last 2 seasons (courtesy Fangraphs):
- Men on Base: 2014 – .299/.333/.395 over 21.2 IP with a .315 wOBA (only 1 HR allowed)
- Men on Based: 2015 – .258/.309/.448 over 25 IP with a .318 wOBA (3 HR allowed)
- Men in Scoring Position: 2014 – .196/.241/.216 over 13.2 IP with a .192 wOBA (no HR allowed)
- Men is Scoring Position: 2015 – .273/.339/.509 over 14.2 IP with a .351 wOBA (3 HR allowed)
What is enticing about Webb is his ability to coax ground balls. He posted a 59.2% rate in 2015 to go along with a rather paltry 19.7% fly ball rate over his career. That bodes well for Tampa Bay on two fronts.
- Who better to have on the mound when playing in the home run friendly ball parks of the AL East? In an ideal world, Webb would be able to limit the damage.
- 81 games are played in the confines of the Trop, a historically pitcher friendly park. I’d have to say that speaks for itself.
In the end, the right handed reliever is an above-average pitcher ― as it relates to coaxing ground balls ― which should give the Rays plus infield a good chance to make plays and get out of jams unscathed.