Tampa Bay Rays: Carl Crawford and Free Agent Losses Will Cripple Team in 2011
The Tampa Bay Rays have gone through baseball's version of a liquidation sale in the 2010 offseason. It is almost as if any player with any value has left the team or has been rumored to be traded with few exceptions.
Starting with the expected departure of Carl Crawford to the Boston Red Sox and the subsequent departures of players including Carlos Pena and Jason Bartlett the team will look very different in 2011.
When a fan asked David Price on twitter about how the team will be different in 2011, he responded jokingly by saying, "the field will still look the same."
Here is an examination of the impact the departed players will have on the Rays in 2011.
7. Dioner Navarro
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Former Rays Catcher Dioner Navarro signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason. Navarro played 75 games for the Dodgers prior to joining the Rays in 2006.
Losing Navarro should be virtually seamless for the Rays. Outside of 2008 when he hit 27 doubles and had a .295 batting average, his numbers have been less than impressive. With Kelly Shoppach and John Jaso still on the roster, the Rays are no worse off without Navarro behind the plate.
Not to mention, his lack of speed on the bases won't be missed either.
6. Dan Wheeler
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Dan Wheeler's ERA has steadily grown from 2.21 to 3.35 from 2005 to 2010. He was a decent setup man for Tampa Bay but isn't a player that the Rays can't replace with the efforts of newly acquired pitchers Adam Russell, Cesar Ramos and Brandon Gomes.
Wheeler signed a one year contract with the Boston Red Sox with a club option for 2012.
5. Carlos Pena
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Carlos Pena's departure may turn out to be addition by subtraction. He's one of the more well known and respected Rays departures and a fan favorite, which may contribute to why his departure gets so much attention. However, his decline in offensive production as a so-called "power hitter" is reason to not shed any tears for his departure.
Since Pena joined the Rays in 2007 his numbers have decreased each year in hits, RBIs, batting average, and on base percentage. He also hasn't hit more than 25 doubles or 40 home runs since the 2007 season. In 2010 he had 158 strikeouts compared to just 95 hits.
Not surprising that the Cubs only signed him to a one-year contract.
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4. Jason Bartlett
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Jason Bartlett was a decent, consistent shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays. He was traded to the San Diego Padres following a 2010 season where he hit .254 with 47 RBIs and four home runs.
His departure would be more significant if it wasn't for Reid Brignac being available and able to fill in for Bartlett at shortstop. Barring any injuries to Brignac or Sean Rodriguez the loss of Bartlett shouldn't impact the Rays greatly. However, if there is an injury, the loss of depth will be quickly apparent.
3. Randy Choate
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Randy Choate set a Tampa Bay Rays club-record with 85 appearances in 2010. He was among the most consistent pitchers the Rays had in their bullpen. The left-handed pitcher was a key contributor to the organization's success.
In 2010 left-handed hitters were held to a .202 average against Choate and .217 during his 10 year career.
Choate signed a two-year contract with the Florida Marlins.
J.P. Howell is the only left-handed relief pitcher on the Rays roster with at least 20 major league appearances.
2. Joaquin Benoit
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Joaquin Benoit signed a three-year deal with the Detroit Tigers. His departure leaves a huge deficiency in the Rays bullpen. In 2010 Benoit allowed just 30 hits over 60 1/3 innings, with 11 walks and 75 strikeouts. He also held opponents to a .147 batting average and only allowed two of 23 inherited runners to score.
The Rays currently do not have a pitcher on their roster that can account for Benoit's production. With the pending departure of closer Raphael Soriano, the Rays bullpen will likely go from dominant to dormant overnight. The team has no plans to spend money on players, and it will translate to the product on the field.
1. Carl Crawford
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The loss of Carl Crawford to the Boston Red Sox is by far the most crippling free agent loss in the franchise's history. Not only did they lose the best player that has ever worn a Tampa Bay Rays (or Devil Rays) uniform, they lost him to one of their division rivals.
In 2010, he hit .307 with 19 homers and 90 RBIs while stealing 47 bases. Even if Desmond Jennings has a phenomenal year in 2011, he will still fall well shy of Crawford's production at the plate, ability to steal bases, and dominance in the outfield. Not to mention, the Rays are losing Crawford's leadership in the clubhouse and the face of the franchise.
Although, it was inevitable that the Rays were going to lose Crawford due to his value, his destination makes it worse. The American League East has been the most dominant division in Major League Baseball for the past few seasons. There won't be any banners raising in Tampa soon with the combination of the Rays roster diminished, the Red Sox fortified, Orioles improving, and the never ending Yankees payroll.
Then again, miracles do happen.
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