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Rays Tales: Which ex-Ray does the team miss the most?

 
Enny Romero, now a key member of the Nationals bullpen, frustrated the Rays with his control problems but could be a significant asset now in a bullpen without a left-hander.
Enny Romero, now a key member of the Nationals bullpen, frustrated the Rays with his control problems but could be a significant asset now in a bullpen without a left-hander.
Published April 30, 2017

When reviewing the lengthy list of players the Rays parted ways with from the tail end of last season to the start of this one, you'd think it would be one of the most accomplished names they are missing the most.

Probably Logan Forsythe, whose smooth glove, powerful bat in the leadoff spot and scrappy style of play made him a valuable part of the lineup but not enough to say no when the Dodgers dangled touted pitching prospect Jose De Leon in a straight-up deal.

Or possibly starter Drew Smyly, whose experience and upside made him a key mid-rotation starter but with a nearly $7 million salary that exceeded his value and health questions was deemed expendable and traded to the Mariners for a package devoid of headline names.

Or potentially Nick Franklin, whose maxed out versatility, with the ability to play anywhere on the field and hit from both sides of the plate, seemed to make him the ultimate Rays bench player, but was left out when they made the final cut.

But having Brad Miller at second (thus Logan Morrison at first and Corey Dickerson at DH) has worked, as has having Dickerson and Steven Souza Jr. atop the order. And though Alex Cobb and Blake Snell have been inconsistent, and bullpen issues have caused some shuffling, they seem to have enough starting depth. And the impressive play of Tim Beckham at short, plus the pending return of Matt Duffy, greatly reduced the opportunity for Franklin, who didn't play short well, as a backup infielder.

So as the season turns four weeks old today the answer is a surprise, one created by unfortunate circumstance and miscalculated construction of their roster.

The ex- who would help them the most if he was still a Ray is Enny Romero.

Trust me, it was not easy to come to the conclusion.

Even harder to type it when I think of how many minutes of my life were lost watching him walk 41 batters over 752/3 innings — maddeningly throwing 528 balls in 1,409 pitches, more than 37 percent — during two seasons in the Rays pen.

But the reality is that after deciding in February to give up on Romero because he was out of options and they didn't see him making the team, the Rays — who got only a low-level pitcher in return from Washington — didn't do enough to replace Romero. They had only Dana Eveland and Justin Marks, neither exactly a bullpen force, in camp as lefty reliever depth behind Xavier Cedeno.

So when Cedeno, after a rough start, was sidelined with forearm tightness that looks to keep him out until at least July, the Rays were left with a void that Romero, who has emerged as one of the Nationals' key relievers, would have nicely filled.

And it's not just me. A few players were talking the other day and came to this conclusion: "We were saying what we really could use is an Enny Romero."

Or just Enny Romero.

The dearly departed

Traded

Ranked by who Rays are missing most (all stats through Friday):

1 LHP Enny Romero

Then: To Nats for rookie-ball RHP Jeffrey Rosa

Now: Romero still has his moments, but after an impressive WBC showing he has emerged as a key member of an albeit shaky Nats bullpen, his fastball averaging a dowdy 97 mph. Most promising has been slicing his walk percentage from 13.8 to 6.3. Stats: 2-1, 5.40, 1.600 WHIP.

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So: Would give the Rays a lefty reliever, and with velocity.

2 INF Logan Forsythe

Then: To Dodgers for top-level RHP prospect Jose De Leon

Now: Was warming after a slow start, while playing mostly second and some third, when he sustained a broken toe from being hit by a pitch and landed on DL. Supposedly could return this week. Stats: .295-0-3-.748.

So: Rays could have him at second and either no Brad Miller or Logan Morrison or Corey Dickerson.

3 LHP Drew Smyly

Then: To Mariners for OF Mallex Smith, rookie-ball SS Carlos Vargas, Triple-A LHP Ryan Yarbrough

Now: After an impressive start to camp and a dazzling WBC start with higher than normal velocity, was sidelined with an elbow injury that will keep him out at least into June.

So: Could have been a more proven option than Blake Snell or Matt Andriese.

4 INF Taylor Motter

Then: With Richie Shaffer to Mariners for Triple-A RHP Andrew Kittredge, Class A INF Dalton Kelly, rookie-league RHP Dylan Thompson.

Now: Has thus far been exactly what Rays once hoped, a Ben Zobrist-type who has played four positions smoothly and hits for power, with five homers. Plus the long hair has made him a fan favorite. Stats: .235-5-13-.856

So: Would have been an interesting bench option, but Tim Beckham has been good.

5 OF Mikie Mahtook

Then: To Tigers for Class A RHP Drew Smith

Now: Went from competing for the centerfield job to barely getting on the field, making just seven starts on a defensively challenged team, albeit not showing much at the plate. Stats: .179-1-3-.603.

So: Had he showed better would have the role Peter Bourjos was acquired to fill.

6 INF Richie Shaffer:

Then: See above.

Now: After a Quixotic offseason of being sought and spurned by the Mariners, Phillies and Reds, ended up with Indians, who also dumped him of the 40-man roster. Playing for Triple-A Columbus, hitting .298-4-13 in 18 games, starting in leftfield.

So: Similarly, had he played better could be doing what Rickie Weeks is doing, plus help in outfield.

7 RHP Eddie Gamboa

Then: To Rangers for cash.

Now: Knuckleballer was a camp curiosity, then sent in late March to Triple-A Round Rock where he is 2-1, 5.84 in four starts, allowing 30 hits and 12 walks in 242/3 innings.

So: It's hard to trust knuckleballers in relief, and Rays weren't going to start him.

Lost on waivers

Ranked by who Rays are missing most:

1 RHP Steve Geltz, Dodgers Triple A: Could have helped a shorthanded bullpen. Once again putting up enticing numbers at Triple A, going 1-0-1, 1.46 in eight games, with 16 Ks in 121/3 innings. Had been claimed by Brewers, released, signed with Dodgers.

2 INF Nick Franklin, Brewers: Strong showing by Tim Beckham and rookie Daniel Robertson made it easier to part with him, though potential for impact is still there. Hitting .115-1-4 in 14 games as a reserve.

3 C Luke Maile, Blue Jays: Forced out by late spring signing of Derek Norris but was of more long-term help, especially defensively. Called up to Jays on Friday after hitting .195-0-1 in 12 games at Triple A.

4 RHP Dylan Floro, Cubs Triple A: Rays were hoping to keep him for depth reasons. Is 1-0, 7.20 in 6 games for Cubs' Triple-A team.

Cut free

• C Hank Conger: Triple A for D'backs, hitting .241-1-9 in 10 games.

• OF Desmond Jennings: Triple A for Mets, .227-1-7 in 20 games. Signed by Reds in February then released late spring.

• INF Juniel Querecuto: On DL with Giants Triple-A team

• RHP Tyler Sturdevant: Triple A for A's, 0-0, 4.70 in 6 games.

• C Bobby Wilson: Triple A for Dodgers, hitting .167-2-4 in 13 games.

Not playing: RHP David Carpenter, LHP Dana Eveland, RHP Kevin Jepsen (signed and released by D'backs in spring), INF Alexei Ramirez, RHP Cory Rasmus, RHP Jeff Walters

Some things we think we know

Tim Beckham's good couple weeks at short won't change the plans to have him go back to a reserve role once Matt Duffy is healthy, likely late May.

Colby Rasmus will play left when he returns this week (Wednesday?) but also DH some so Corey Dickerson will get some time in the field.

• OF Shane Peterson showed well filling in, and if he ends up being lost on waivers it's the cost of doing business. That's why the Rays sign those experienced guys.

Rays rumblings

Should be a cool scene Monday when the only two active major-leaguers from Taiwan, Marlins LHP Wei-Yin Chen and Rays RHP Chih-Wei Hu, are on the field together in Miami. … Forget the breast pump they were tweeting about, Evan Longoria instead sent ex-mate David Price a Mr. Milker male breastfeeding "device" — think a vest with built-in bottles — for on-the-way son Xavier. … Are there really no lefty relievers out there? How about luring Randy Choate out of retirement? … Coach Jamie Nelson is expected to rejoin the team this week at home after undergoing an undisclosed medical procedure but will be limited in duties. … Pretty sure no one, including family members, had Austin Pruitt pegged as the first Ray to log three W's. … The Los Angeles Times did a piece worth looking up on former Rays prospect Brandon Martin, who is charged with killing his father and two other men in 2015, after his release from the organization. … FanRag Sports' Jon Heyman has the Rays as the sixth most likely trade deadline sellers, mentioning, and then discounting, dealing Longoria. … There is still some sorting out between having healthy food and healthy food options in the road clubhouses. … Sure, weather was an issue but for all the Trop bashing, total tickets sold for the three games in Baltimore was 38,903.