Uncustomed Heroes of 2025: Rays

 

I don't know how evident it is from how I write about them, but I really, really dislike the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Rays are the most blatant case in favor of instituting a salary floor, because they have no incentive to pay their players [save for domestic abusers], and will sooner trade a piece that is working in exchange for movable pieces than actually put money into the team. Lots of other teams do this, but even the A's, Pirates and Twins will give out contracts. The Rays only have one remaining member from the 2020 team, Yandy Diaz. They had three going into the offseason, but they cut one and traded the other for scraps. Then they traded another guy who was just getting the hang of things to a divisional competitor. When Jonathan Aranda, Junior Caminero and Ryan Pepiot ask for more money they'll be traded too. It's genuinely insufferable. And add to that the unwillingness to play anywhere other than the still-decaying Trop, the fact that four of their pitchers boycotted pride month a couple years back [none of them are still on the team but I'll never forget], and their inexplicable desire to compete this past year despite having little to no shot. This team is everything I dislike about modern baseball, and I shudder to think that the upcoming bargaining agreement will settle favoring con-jobs like the Rays' ownership even more. 

I mention this because I only have three Rays players for Uncustomed Heroes this year. That's all they deserved. What the hell was I gonna do, make one of some of the 29-year-old rookies they had shuffling around? One of them just got traded anyway! Do a frigging Taylor Walls custom, when Walls can't hit to save his damned life? Validate Christopher Morel, a rare Rays cut I actually agree with? What the hell can you even say about this Rays team? The only positional upgrades they made came from the White Sox! Two of their all-stars were hurt in the second half. The big Shane McClanahan comeback was rushed, leading to yet another injury in camp. This team came in 4th after a surprise smash of a May/June run, because the practical-ball thing only works if you actually put work into making the team great around it, as Toronto can tell you.

Anyhow. Pete Fairbanks had a terrific season as the primary ninth inning option for the Rays. He wasn't flashy, and had 59 Ks in 61 innings, but posted a 2.83 ERA and notched 27 saves. Fairbanks has been a mainstay of the Rays' bullpen for years, and he rewarded them in 2025 with his fullest and most dominant closing season yet. So the Rays rewarded him by cutting him. I'm not sure who's closing games in Tampa next year. Honestly I don't think they care.

2026 Prediction: Y'know, for some reason a lot of teams seem to want to sign Fairbanks. Almost as if it was a bad idea to cut him. Anyhow, a contender picks him up and he gets them to the playoffs. 30 saves, easy.

Adrian Houser was traded by the Chicago White Sox, who revitalized his career, to the Rays, who had already calmed down and had sold a few pieces at the deadline. No one is quite sure why they did this, but they went and did it anyway. His 10 games in Tampa weren't as good as his White Sox run, with a 4.29 ERA, 45 Ks and a 1.349 WHIP. Average, much like how he was a year or so prior.

2026 Prediction: The Giants is actually a really good place for Houser, because he can come in as a depth option, maybe take the 5 spot, and then work his way up if the middle guys get hurt. I say he nabs 10+ wins and starts 25 games.

And then you have the Rays' umpteenth ultra-mega top prospect, shortstop Carson Williams. Pretty convenient to have another top prospect shortstop after the other one robbed you blind last time. This one seems to be alright though. He's 22, and unlike Franco he's not an immediate MLB hit, as in 32 games he hit .172 with 5 homers and 12 RBIs. So he's got some power aspects down, but he's still figuring out major league pitching and was mostly ensuring Taylor Walls didn't have to hit.

2026 Prediction: Here's your Rookie of the Year, folks. Catch him while he's still playing in Tampa.

Coming Tomorrow- How weird it is that I'll have far less pithy, aggravated things to say about the gosh-darned Boston Red Sox???

Uncustomed Heroes of 2023: Rays

 

The Rays managed to win 99 games without full seasons from their three best pitchers, and with their single most important organizational piece going up in smoke halfway through the year. Even if things went downhill after the monster winning streak to start the season, they still didn't let major setbacks stop them. A lot of teams this season had injury hits like the Rays did, or worse, and couldn't survive. But the Rays' organizational depth and win-with-anything attitude kept things moving throughout the season, and helped them finish somewhat strongly, even without Jeffrey Springs, Shane McClanahan or Drew Rasmussen being there for the postseason. 

Another sign of the organizational struggles this year? The best catcher in the depth chart for the Rays was Christian Bethancourt. Not that he's bad, as he certainly proved himself last year between Oakland and Tampa, but the Rays have constantly failed to find a successful long-term catching option, and Bethancourt seemed like another replacement option. This year, he hit .225 with 33 RBIs and 10 homers, plus some passable catching efforts. The Rays hoped that Francisco Mejia would pan out, and he couldn't stay healthy, so Bethancourt it is. Unfortunately, the Rays are gonna have to think of something soon, as Bethancourt has already moved teams twice this offseason. If nothing huge happens, uh...Rene Pinto, get ready for more reps, bud.

2024 Prediction: Primarily acts as a backup for Nick Fortes, but might be useful for some extra reps at DH.

Taj Bradley was an early call-up that was an early prevention against running out of starters in the wake of Springs' injury. Bradley started strong, but his inexperience caught up to him, and in 23 games he ended up with a 5.59 ERA, 122 Ks notwithstanding. Bradley's a talented homegrown hurler, the likes of which the Rays need right now, especially if he stays healthy. 

2024 Prediction: I think he's gonna do great, I'm just not sure if he'll be on the IL by June or July.

After their prior closing option joined his fellow pride month boycott members on the sit-out bench, it was down to Pete Fairbanks, who actually jumped on the opportunity after years of steady relief. Fairbanks finished the year with 25 saves, a 2.58 ERA and a 1.015 WHIP, making him one of the relief highlights of an inconsistent and merciless year for the Rays' bullpen.

2024 Prediction: Keeps the ninth and goes for 30 saves.

The Rays smoothest trade deadline move was stealing Aaron Civale from Cleveland, right as their rotation began to become even more crowded. Civale had a great first half with the Guardians, and now it was time to see if he could help the Rays compete. In 10 games, Civale had a 5.36 ERA and an impressive 58 strikeouts. Ultimately, the Rays had been eliminated from playoff contention before Civale even had a chance to start a game for them.

2024 Prediction: I think he'll even out in Tampa and rise to the top of their rotation. With so many arms looking to be liabilities post-injury, Civale will give them some padding.

In the wake of Wandergate, the Rays were suddenly questioning shortstop, a position they figured was locked up for the next decade, unlike Wander himself at this rate. Taylor Walls was a great defensive option with no offense. Vidal Brujan still hadn't come into his own, and he's now in Miami. So they went with organizational giant Junior Caminero, a high prospect that the Rays just assumed they'd need to trade for a starter anyway in a year. Caminero got 19 MLB games this year, and he hit .235 with 7 RBIs and a homer.

2024 Prediction: Not sure if he'll be the opening day option at short, but he'll get there and make it his own by the end of 2024. I'm also predicting his girlfriend will be his age, though I really hope that one isn't wrong either, or else the Rays just know how to pick shortstop prospects..

Coming Tomorrow- A few pieces of an extremely odd Red Sox team.

2020 Topps Final Edition: Cards #118-126

 Baseball season is finally upon us, at least for teams that are not the Mets and Nationals, and we're already beginning to see the picture of how the 2021 season might go. But we still have plenty of 2020 Final Edition posts to go before we've entirely put the 2020 season to bed. Here are 9 more cards from it:

Card #118- Oliver Perez, Cleveland Indians

One of the most unexpected career second acts of the modern era, Oliver Perez went from a trusty starter with the Padres and Mets in the 2000s to a relief weapon for the Cleveland Indians. Since 2018, Oliver has sported a 2.67 ERA in 139 appearances, notching 105 strikeouts in that time. It's clear that Perez is still capable of keeping down a lineup, even at 39. Last season was another strong one for Perez, with a 2.00 ERA in 21 games. As he's signed for another year in Cleveland, I hope his excellent work keeps up.

Card #119- Guillermo Heredia, New York Mets

After beginning the season with the last place Pittsburgh Pirates, former Mariners outfielder Guillermo Heredia found himself with a bit of an upgrade, as the Mets waived him in August. His numbers improved slightly, as he bat .235 in 7 games with 2 homers. Due to the crowded Mets camp, Heredia was tossed to Atlanta before the start of the 2021 season.

Card #120- Nate Pearson, Toronto Blue Jays

In a season where anybody in what would be the minor leagues could be fair game for a call-up, Nate Pearson spent a year where he could have been playing for the Bisons in Buffalo...playing for the Blue Jays in Buffalo. Same location, different stakes. Pearson would be in charge of helping the Jays to the playoffs in the early part of the season, but in 5 starts he proved he may not have been 100% ready, with a 7.50 ERA in that time. The Jays are looking to ease Pearson in a bit more carefully this season, so hopefully the numbers will reflect that

Card #121- Tim Anderson ASG, Chicago White Sox

In a supposed 2020 All-Star Game, Tim Anderson would have been the starting shortstop for the AL. It would have been the culmination of several breakout years for TA7, and it would have commemorated his second consecutive .300+ year, and his year of getting a silver slugger and MVP votes. But, unfortunately, Anderson is still searching for his first All Star Game appearance, and hopefully he'll get there this year, wherever it may be.

Card #122- Christian Arroyo, Boston Red Sox

A former infield prospect who had bobbed around the Giants, Rays and Indians organizations unsuccessfully, Christian Arroyo may have finally found a substantial home in Boston. In 14 games at 2nd, Arroyo hit .240 with 8 RBIs including 3 homers. It was in the midst of a year where the Sox used people like Yairo Munoz and Jonathan Arauz in big positions, and all three of them did well amidst the chaos. Unfortunately, the starting second baseman position in Boston seems to belong to Enrique Hernandez now, so Arroyo may have to fight for bench relevancy. 

Card #123- Pete Fairbanks, Tampa Bay Rays

One of the many rookie relievers utilized during the Rays' blockbuster 2020 year, Pete Fairbanks was a former Rangers farmhand who came over in exchange for Nick Solak at the previous trade deadline [in hindsight that may have been slightly lopsided in favor of Texas]. Fairbanks still went off to quick work in Tampa, with a 2.70 ERA in 27 games, 39 Ks and a 6-3 record, plus SEVENTEEN POSTSEASON STRIKEOUTS. Granted, he did give up some important runs to the Dodgers, but he was definitely one of the biggest pieces of the Rays' pen last year. Hopefully his power streak continues this year.

Card #124- Cody Ponce, Pittsburgh Pirates

In a year where there were so few rotation options, a lot of otherwise unneeded pitchers got a chance to start games. Enter Cody Ponce, a rookie that had come over in exchange for Jordan Lyles the previous year, who could start games...so in he went. In 3 starts, he had a 3.63 record with 9 Ks- not perfect, but decent. Not sure where he stands in line to start this year, but he could show up.

Card #125- Todd Frazier, New York Mets

Speaking of people who could theoretically show up in Pittsburgh this year, Todd Frazier is coming off a very frazzled 2020, split between Texas in New York. Frazier was dealt to the Mets to help with a potential playoff bid, and he got back to what he does best...hit for power, not for contact. So a .224 average with 2 homers and a boatload of strikeouts followed, and the Mets didn't make the playoffs. Womp womp. Frazier's still technically signed to a deal with the Pirates, but I'm not sure if they'll need him at all this year, unless things get REALLY dire.

Card #126- Vimael Machin, Oakland Athletics

Before Jake Lamb was handed the starting 3rd baseman gig in Oakland, there was still a void between Lamb was signed and Chapman got injured, and that void, plus earlier backup gigs, were filled by Vimael Machin, a rookie journeyman who was just jazzed to be in the bigs. Machin's .206 average and minimal plate work put him a bit below replacement level [hence Lamb], but he does look to be a factor into the A's 2021 endeavors. He could be a handy backup infielder for all we know.

Monday we get 9 more cards of this. Some of the most intriguing rookies of last year are in here.

Uncustomed Heroes of 2020: Rays

 

So yeah. The 2020 Rays were the best team in the AL, by a very wide margin, and spent the entire season getting better and better, right until the duel-of-the-gods World Series, which they came very close to winning. While it may have been impossible for anybody to top the Dodgers, the Rays were able to knock out the Jays, Yankees and Astros without making it look that difficult. This was a season that had been building for the past 2, and I'm so glad it didn't infuriate me entirely.

Austin Meadows, while not topping his 2019 breakout, was still pretty good in a limited season, with 27 hits and 13 RBIs in 36 games. The .205 average is concerning, but hopefully he'll work on his contact skills when given a full season of production. 

2021 Prediction: 25 homers and a full season of strong material to make up for a slightly-less-dominant Rays team.

Yandy Diaz was also limited by injuries this year, playing only 34 games, but he still made the most of it, hitting .307 with 35 hits and 11 RBIs, and 9 hits and an RBI in the postseason. He doesn't get a lot of play, but Yandy Diaz is still one of the sturdiest, most impressive members of these Rays teams, and while Mike Brosseau had the bigger moment this year, Diaz might be the more important 3rd baseman.

2021 Prediction: Thanks to Brosseau, Diaz isn't gonna play at 3rd as often as he did, and might play DH more, but will still be a .300 hitter.

Ji-Man Choi didn't have quite the power-hitting year that fans were used to, but he still hit .230 with 16 RBIs, which isn't horrible. He also had 10 hits, 4 RBIs and 2 homers during the postseason, so he was still a crucial member of the team then.

2021 Prediction: Unless he improves as a power-hitter, the Rays are gonna get rid of him.

I...try not to make Mike Zunino customs. He's...in my opinion, the single most overrated player in the league. Zunino has only hit higher than .250 on a season ONCE in his 8-year career. His career WAR is 6.7, which is the kind of stat Mike Trout can pull in a full season. The fact that he can consistently hit .199 and still get work blows my mind. But...Zunino was essentially the starting catcher for the Rays in the playoffs, and had 8 RBIs and 4 homers throughout the postseason, despite a .170 playoff average. So...yes, he can hit for power, but he can't hit for average, which must be frustrating. 

2021 Prediction: I still think the Rays are gonna sign someone else as a starting catcher, so Zunino will do alright, but...as a backup.

The Rays have finally heeded my advice and made Ryan Yarbrough a full starter, no opener BS or any of that. Yarbrough responded with his best season to date, with a 3.56 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 11 games. Yarbrough is a consistent, workhorse of a pitcher, and his ability to eat innings helped the Rays out a lot this year.

2021 Prediction: More of the same. 13 wins, lots of innings, good solid work.

After coming over from Miami last year, Nick Anderson continued his reign as the best reliever you've never heard of, giving up a single earned run in 19 appearances, and notching 6 saves, 26 Ks and a .55 ERA. Absolutely insane numbers. His postseason numbers...less appealing. 8 earned runs, 2 losses, and only 9 strikeouts [only, he says].

2021 Prediction: Has and keeps the closing gig, with slightly higher ERA but similar consistency.

The most impressive breakout relief pitcher for the Rays, in a field of MANY, was Pete Fairbanks, traded at last year's deadline for Nick Solak to Tampa, and finally getting some substantial playing time. In 27 innings, Fairbanks had a 6-3 record, a 2.70 ERA and a 'pen-leading 39 Ks. In the postseason, he sported a 3.65 ERA  with 17 Ks. Even with a few postseason earned runs, Fairbanks was hot as hell all year.

2021 Prediction: Less consistency, but he's still gonna be one of their most prevalent bullpen pieces.

And I can't not make a custom of the Rays' Game 4 hero Brett Phillips, whose ninth-inning RBI off of Kenley Jansen shook the country, and kept the Rays alive against the Dodgers in the World Series. Despite not being a very impressive bench presence for Kansas City or Tampa this year, Phillips still had his brief moments of power, including Game 4. 

2021 Prediction: Back to uneventful bench OF work.

Coming Tomorrow- Speaking of AL East teams who have recently been to the World Series, let's examine why the Boston Red Sox ['s pitching] fell apart.