Tampa Bay Rays: Alex Colome Could Be Valuable Trade Piece
By Tim Haberin
As the relief pitching market continues to develop this offseason, Tampa Bay Rays closer Alex Colome should find himself an increasingly popular guy.
It seems like we can’t stop talking about relief pitchers this offseason, whether as free agents or potential trade candidates. That’s not without good reason, however. After watching what happened during the postseason, teams with title aspirations feel that adding a lockdown reliever (even if they already have a good bullpen) could be the difference between reaching their goal or falling short.
Two of the “big three” free agent closers are now off the board in Aroldis Chapman and Mark Melancon. Clubs are waiting for a decision from Kenley Jansen, although for the moment it seems like he will either return to the Dodgers or sign a big deal with the Marlins. Regardless, there are going to be a few teams in need of bullpen help left out in the cold. Enter the trade market.
The Royals have already dealt Wade Davis to the Cubs as a Chapman replacement, but there are other top relief pitchers who could also be on the move. One that should gain attention as the offseason continues is Tampa Bay Rays closer Alex Colome.
Jon Morosi of FOX Sports and MLB Network reported a few days ago that the Rays and Nationals had discussed the 27-year-old right-hander. Washington is indeed one of the clubs still figuring out who will be taking the ball for them in the ninth inning. With Melancon off to San Francisco, the Nats could either hold the fort with Shawn Kelley or go outside the organization and get someone like Colome.
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His 2016 performance makes it clear why Colome is generating interest. He converted 37 of 40 save opportunities for the Rays this season to the tune of a 1.91 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 4.73 K/BB ratio. He posted a career low 2.4 BB/9 and a career high 11.3 K/9, great rates for a late-inning reliever.
Colome is also under team control through the 2020 season, which should make him particularly appealing to interested clubs, while also netting a bigger return for Tampa Bay.
If the Dodgers miss out on keeping Jansen, they should be extra-motivated to land a dependable closer. There had previously been some talk of them as a possible landing spot for Evan Longoria if the Rays decided to move the longtime third baseman. With Justin Turner still a free agent, perhaps L.A. could put together a package for Colome and Longoria, filling two needs at once.
If there is a downside to Colome, it’s that he doesn’t exactly have a lengthy track record as a closer. He didn’t have any saves in his career before last season, and just six games finished. The Rays have also used him in the rotation as recently as 2015, when he made 13 starts. His numbers this year were stellar, but any team acquiring him is going to be taking a bit of a risk that he can keep it up.
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With the position the Rays are in, pretty much everything should be on the table. Longoria and Chris Archer will get more attention as potential high profile trade chips, but with the way the market is for closers, Alex Colome could quietly be one of their most coveted assets.