Tampa Bay Rays Could Retain Xavier Cedeno
The Tampa Bay Rays decided against making Xavier Cedeno a contract offer on Friday. However, the team is hopeful that they can bring him back for 2018.
The Tampa Bay Rays decision to let Xavier Cedeno test free agency, instead of tendering him a contract, was understandable. He appeared in only nine games in 2017, allowing five runs, four earned, in his three innings. Cedeno also allowed seven hits and four walks in that time, before being shut down for the year due to forearm injuries.
Prior to that season, Cedeno had been a strong option in the Rays bullpen. In 2015 and 2016, he combined for a 2.88 ERA and a 1.162 WHiP, striking out 84 batters against 25 walks in 84.1 innings. He was a key left handed option for manager Kevin Cash, handling those tough lefty bats.
Understandably, Cedeno has already garnered plenty of attention on the open market. Ignoring his struggles last season, Cedeno had become a reliable option in the bullpen. However, despite those other suitors, Cedeno has not ruled out a return to the Rays.
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Cedeno had been expected to earn approximately $1.4 Million in arbitration this season, a reasonable amount of money for a lefty specialist. In the open market, especially coming off of his forearm injuries, he could end up being a cost effective option, particularly for a team with postseason aspirations next year.
Over the course of his career, Cedeno has been brilliant against lefty hitters. He has held same side batters to a lifetime .226/.286/.299 batting line, with just 11 extra base hits in 320 plate appearances. Cedeno has also struck out 81 left handed batters, while issuing only 20 walks.
It is understandable that the Rays would want to retain Cendeno. Jose Alvarado had served as the Rays primary lefty reliever last year, but did not have nearly that level of success against left handed batters. Lefties had a .298/.353/.383 batting line against Alvarado in 2017, making him an unlikely candidate as a lefty specialist. Add in his success against righties, who were held to a .156/.214/.234 batting line last year, and Alvarado may have more of a future as a setup man.
The Tampa bay Rays let Xavier Cedeno go on Friday. He may not be away from the team for long.