Tampa Bay Rays’ Fortunes in 2011 Will Depend on How Rebuilt Bullpen Responds to Pressure Situations

by

Feb 12, 2011

Editor’s note: Every Saturday, NESN.com Red Sox reporter Tony Lee will look at Boston’s competition in the AL East.

Will the Rays’ bullpen come together?

Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon get the headlines, but everyone knows that the bullpen, which was ravaged by departures this offseason, is the critical unit for the Rays. Their success in recent years has largely depended on this group, and after losing Rafael Soriano, Joaquin Benoit, Dan Wheeler, Grant Balfour, Randy Choate and Chad Qualls to free agency, Tampa Bay will have to make it up on the fly.

The combustible Kyle Farnsworth has the inside track for save chances. Joel Peralta and promising lefty Jake McGee are potential setup men. The only holdover is long man Andy Sonnanstine. But there is a chance Lance Cormier returns, and J.P. Howell, who missed all of last season following shoulder surgery, is expected to be ready in May.

Tampa Bay’s starting rotation should still be solid, and manager Joe Maddon will find a way to get runs on the board. The team will have some leads with which to work, but how many of those leads will be lost in the late innings?


Previous Article

Aaron Hill, Adam Lind Key to Helping Blue Jays Diversify Offense, Score More Runs

Next Article

Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon Among Veterans Yankees Hope Can Solidify Back of Their Rotation

Picked For You