Tampa Bay Rays: Removing Alex Colome Can Do More Harm Than Good

Alex Colome has been a perfect 12-for-12 in save opportunities as interim closer for the Tampa Bay Rays. But with Brad Boxberger set to be activated off the disabled list, Colome will likely be removed as closer and could spell trouble.

Alex Colome has been the definition of dominant for the Tampa Bay Rays. Given the opportunity to be the interim closer for the injured Brad Boxberger, Colome has not disappointed, as he currently has twelve saves and boasts an ERA of 1.29. He also boasts a 12 K/9 ratio, showing his dominance on the mound at all times.

However, despite his success as closer, manager Kevin Cash repeatedly confirmed that Boxberger would take over as soon as he is activated off the disabled list. Boxberger recently made his fourth rehab start – an inning of one-hit, no run ball – and will likely be activated in the next week.  As a result, Colome would be pushed back into the set-up role.

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Is Cash’s decision to remove Colome as closer the right decision for the Tampa Bay Rays?

The team is 21-24, dead last in the American League East. They are seven games behind the first place Boston Red Sox. Making a player who has yet to play in any major league action the closer is a gutsy call, especially with each game becoming more and more important in an attempt to close the gap between the two teams.

Colome has not given up an earned run since May 1 against Toronto. Before that, the last time the right-hander gave up a run was on April 15, the game prior to his first save for the Rays.

Colome is also a perfect 12-for-12 in save opportunities since becoming the closer. Batters have struggled to hit against him (.178 BAA) and his control has been on-point, as he has a 7.00 K/BB ratio. He took advantage of an opportunity and succeeded.

Boxberger, who landed on the disabled list after getting surgery on his abdomen, finished last season with a 3.71 ERA and 41 saves. While he lost 10 games and finished with a career-worst in ERA, Boxberger converted on over 87 percent of save opportunities.

When looking closer at Boxberger’s splits, a few statistics stand out when comparing the first half of the season to the second.

During the first half of the year, Boxberger had 23 saves, a 3.25 ERA, and 12.0 K/9. This exceptional performance earned him an All-Star selection, and rightfully so. However, the second half of the season was entirely different. While he did save 18 games, his ERA was 4.33 and his K/9 dropped over three total points, falling to 8.7.

Again, the question that remains to be answered is, should Cash remove Colome from the closer’s role in favor of Boxberger?

Putting in a pitcher who was not as dominant in the second half of the season straight into the closer’s role is a high risk, low reward move – especially considering that Colome is doing everything one can ask for. He’s perfect in save opportunities, is among the top closers in strikeouts, and has not experienced any control problems.

While Boxberger is coming off an All-Star season and did not lose the closing role (as he was injured), the interim replacement has been close to perfect. Rather, Cash should ease Boxberger into the majors and have him set-up Colome. If a continual problem like blown saves becomes an issue, Cash has a more than viable reason to remove Colome.

Cash needs to take the whole situation into account, and not just hand the closer’s role to Boxberger because he was the former closer prior to injury.

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Taking out Colome from the closer’s role can do more harm than good. The right-hander is still young (27-years-old), and has appeared in just 70 major league games. Demoting him from the closer’s role can result in a significant drop in confidence and lead to struggles on the mound.