Each MLB team’s season success or failure?
Tampa Bay Rays
80-82, 4th in AL East
The Rays were firmly in a state of flux entering the 2015 season. Tampa Bay’s 77-85 record in 2014 was its worst mark in eight years, Maddon left for Chicago, and general manager Andrew Friedman departed for the Dodgers.
A final record of 80-82 is likely around what many expected for the Rays this season. However, the club had a decent chance to make the playoffs in a weak AL Wild Card race and could have done some major damage in October.
Tampa Bay’s starting rotation was outstanding through the first few months of the season. Chris Archer lived up to his ace potential, posting a 3.23 ERA (2.90 FIP) and 10.70 strikeouts per nine innings according to FanGraphs.
Even with Drew Smyly and Matt Moore out for long periods of a time, the Rays were able to get good seasons out of surprises like Nate Karns and Erasmo Ramirez. The rotation led Tampa Bay to mark of 10 games above .500 in mid-June and a real chance to make the postseason.
Eventually the poor offense would catch up to Tampa Bay, as Logan Forsythe was the only consistently productive player at the plate all season. Having John Jaso available for only 70 games was a big factor, while Evan Longoria was unable to regain his 2014 form.
Tampa Bay shouldn’t consider 2015 a massive stepback, but rather a missed chance.
Failure. It’s unfair to say the Rays had a bad season, but they had an opportunity to do more given how good the pitching staff was.
Next: Texas Rangers