Cash deferred a quick assessment of the season to Silverman to start off the session,
Anytime we’re sitting here before you guys and not talking about a postseason series, it’s a disappointment. We came into spring training believing we had a team that would compete for the playoffs and possibly extend our season deep into the playoffs, and that didn’t happen. There are a number of reasons for that.
However, Silverman also hinted at a glimmer of hope for the future,
If you take a step back and reflect on what’s taken place, there’s a really good foundation.
Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) attended the media session, and listed some of the more interesting points:
- While acknowledging injuries are a factor for all teams, Silverman said it was a bigger issue for the Rays due to the number of injuries and that they “don’t really have the luxury for bad breaks.”
- Silverman said he sees “a really good foundation” between the major- and minor-league teams, and Cash said the experience gained by the young players, and the staff, will benefit them going forward.”
- Silverman said he expects it to be a busy offseason at least in terms of talking, and they have a number of positions to address. Shortstop looks to be the biggest hole, and he made clear they would be open to dealing a starting pitcher.
- Though principal owner Stuart Sternberg indicated last month the payroll may go down from $72-million, Silverman said they are just now having those conversations as they look at it over a several year window. He did note that the top 10 teams average $100- million more than the Rays.
- One reason for their losing record was a run differential of only plus-2. Both Cash and Silverman put the onus on the offense to improve and feel that it can especially as they stick with the more aggressive approach.
- Silverman said the oft-discussed pitching philosophy was hatched out of necessity and will be further studied as they shape their rotations and bullpens going forward.
- Silverman said they were probably lucky to be 40-30 at one point, and that he felt the actually played better later in the season and didn’t have the same results.
- All the coaches are expected back; all are signed thru 2016 except 1B coach Rocco Baldelli.
The media session follows in its entirety below:
[youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOr6beFlOns&feature=youtu.be”]
2016 Projected Arbitration Salaries
MLB Trade Rumors just released their 2016 projected arbitration salaries. The Rays have 11 players who will likely see a raise next season, and they are listed below. They project to earn a combined $28.9MM, lending the assumption that the front office could have some tough calls on their hands this winter.
Note: Major League service time is included in parenthesis (years.days), followed by the projected salary.
Jake McGee (4.127) – $4.7MM
Logan Forsythe (4.113) – $3.3MM
Desmond Jennings (4.101) – $3.1MM
Rene Rivera (4.082) – $1.6MM
Alex Cobb (4.061) – $4.0MM
J.P. Arencibia (4.052) – $1.8MM
Daniel Nava (4.045) – $1.9MM
Drew Smyly (3.154) – $3.9MM
Brandon Gomes (3.082) – $900K
Brandon Guyer (3.066) – $1.3MM
Erasmo Ramirez (2.158) – $2.8MM