In 2007, the Tampa Bay Rays’ bullpen ranked last in the American League with a disgusting 6.16 ERA. The team finished in last place as well, finishing 66-96.
In 2008, the Rays’ bullpen ranked third in the AL with a satisfying 3.55 ERA. The team went to the World Series.
In 2009, the Rays’ bullpen ranked seventh in the AL with an ordinary 3.98 ERA. That edition finished in third place, slightly above .500.
In 2010, the Rays’ bullpen was first in the AL with a sparkling 3.33 ERA. The club led the league with 96 wins.
It doesn’t take a genius to surmise that Tampa Bay’s fortunes have largely rested on the strength of its relief corps in recent years. While Grant Balfour’s departure is not the most severe of all those that have taken place this offseason, it may be the last and it leaves one wondering whether the Rays can possibly survive an almost complete dismantling of the bullpen.
Balfour follows closer Rafael Soriano, setup man Joaquin Benoit, trusted righty Dan Wheeler, lone lefty Randy Choate and veteran Chad Qualls out the side door of Tropicana Field. Lance Cormier, a free agent who appeared in 60 games with Tampa Bay last season, may return. Andy Sonnanstine will be coming back.
During the Winter Meetings, before the exodus began, manager Joe Maddon was asked about the potential departures. Fully knowledgeable of the way in which his team has yo-yoed based on the makeup of the bullpen, he readily admitted that rough roads might lie ahead.
“I don’t know how this is going to happen. I really don’t know how,” Maddon said. “I’m not going to sit here and tell you we have any great ideas yet. We’ve been talking about a lot of different things. A lot of it is hit and miss with bullpens, I understand that…We’re just going to have to get somewhat lucky and be diligent and do our work regarding putting this bullpen back together. But that, to me, is the key to our success next year: Yes or no, if we have a good bullpen.”
Since uttering that line, Maddon’s team has added Joel Peralta, Kyle Farnsworth and Adam Russell, and they figure to remain in the mix for a closer-type like Jon Rauch and Brian Fuentes. With Cormier and Sonnanstine, it could be an OK grouping. But the last time it was OK, the Rays finished third, and that was with Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena and Matt Garza, each of whom also have moved on this offseason.
Fortunately, relievers can do their work independent of one another. Chemistry is rarely important. Bullpens can successfully be built on the fly. Essentially, if everyone shows up and has a good year, Maddon could have enough to work with to protect leads.
Then again, it could be a bit of a mess. Maddon said himself that “bullpens are volatile and unpredictable,” and the Rays — whose roster rebuild has come as no surprise to anyone who has paid attention to their financial intentions — are entering 2011 with about as much unpredictability as is possible among their relievers. Almost every member of a top-notch bullpen is gone, and it’s been the bullpen, as much as anything, that has signaled success in Tampa Bay.
