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Finish: 5th in American League East, 66-96, 30 games behind the Boston Red Sox
Offensive Leaders
Batting Average – Carl Crawford, .315
Home Runs – Carlos Pena, 46
Runs Batted In – Carlos Pena, 121
Runs Scored – Carlos Pena, 99
Stolen Bases – Carl Crawford, 50
Pitching Leaders
Wins – Scott Kazmir, 13
Strikeouts – Scott Kazmir, 239
Innings Pitched – James Shields, 215.0
Earned Run Average – Scott Kazmir, 3.48
Saves – Al Reyes, 26
Team MVP
When the Devil Rays signed Carlos Pena to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training in February, they could hardly have imagined that he would go on to not only take the first base job, but set new team records in home runs (46), RBI (121), walks (103), on-base-percentage (.411), slugging percentage (.627) and, obviously, OPS (1.037). He was also the player with the highest “bases per hit” rate in the majors. Not surprisingly, his performance was rewarded with the Comback Player of the Year Award.
Team Cy Young
Scott Kazmir has developed into a legitimate ace, striking out a whopping 10.41 batters per nine and allowing less than a hit per inning while walking 89 over the course of the season. But, for a change, Tampa’s rotation was no one-man-show in 2007 as James Shields stepped up and led the staff in innings pitched (215) despite making three less starts than Kazmir. What made Shields so effective (3.85 ERA) was his pinpoint control. He walked only 36 all year and allowed less than a hit per inning for an excellent WHIP of 1.11. Especially remarkable when you consider the other teams in the AL East tend to be very patient.
What Went Right
Thanks to Carlos Pena’s unexpectedly outstanding performance, valuable contributions from B.J. Upton (.894 OPS, 22 SB) and Carl Crawford (.820 OPS, 50 SB) and overall improved hitting, the Rays actually had a pretty competent offense, ranking third both in home runs (187) and stolen bases (131), altogether scoring 782 runs. If baseball was played for just six innings, Tampa Bay would actually be one of the better teams in the show, which leads us to the next category:
What Went Wrong
The Rays had an extraordinary – and I mean EXTRAordinary – bad bullpen. The only good bullpen ERAs belong to the mostly unknown Scott Dohmann (3.31) and Juan Salas (3.72), but their periphals were only average and they appeared in just 65 games combined. Next are Gary Glover (4.89) and closer Al Reyes (4.90). After that: pure desaster. Taking the biscuit: Jeff Ridgway, who appeared in 3 games and managed to record exactly as many outs as he allowed home runs (1), while giving up seven earned runs for a 189.00 ERA.
To be fair, a lot of blame goes to the starting rotation, because after Kazmir and Shields, the drop-off was alarming. With Edwin Jackson (5-15, 5.76 ERA, 1.76 WHIP) leading a painfully weak back end of the rotation, the bullpen was taxed early and often.
Low Point of the Season
After being arrested for marijuana possession in January, Elijah Dukes was optioned to the Minors and placed on the temporary inactive list when he allegedly threatened to kill his wife, who had won a restraining order. The Rays have vowed to help Dukes get his life back in order, but it remains to be seen if he is on the active roster on opening day.
Low Point of the Season
After being arrested for marijuana possession in January, Elijah Dukes was optioned to the Minors and placed on the temporary inactive list when he allegedly threatened to kill his wife, who had won a restraining order. The Rays have vowed to help Dukes get his life back in order, but it remains to be seen if he is on the active roster on opening day.
Up and Coming Player
Hope is on the way, especially for the rotation. Matt Garza came over from the Twins and he should take the #3 spot behind Kazmir and Shields. Last draft’s first pick David Price might also join the rotation next season and then there is right hander Wade Davis, who pitched very well in Double AA and might jump to the bigs sometime next season, too.
On the field, third baseman Evan Longoria should also get a job next spring, as might shortstop Reid Brignac. Tampa Bay has a very young and very talented team and if all things fall into their places, they might be able to make some noise, especially if the bullpen can pull things together.
What the Team Should Do in the Offseason
The Rays should be able to score some runs and the rotation should be much improved if the young arms can stay healthy and meet expectation only half-way. The most glaring weakness is the bullpen and the signing of Troy Percival will help, although nobody knows how long his arm will last. Since Tampa (thankfully) does not have the ressources (or refused to use them) to spent wildly on relievers like its division rivals from Baltimore, the Rays should explore some trade options for young, inexpensive arms and roll a few dice in spring training.
Other than that, just wait for the kids to mature.
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