Tampa Bay Rays: Opener may not be needed for 2020

The Tampa Bay Rays pioneered the use of the opener. Next year, it may not be needed.

The Tampa Bay Rays have been one of the more innovating franchises in the game since the early days of Joe Maddon. From popularizing the shift to signing their young players to long term extensions, the Rays ability to find unconventional ways to contend has spread throughout the game. Their most recent innovation, the opener, caught on quickly, with teams using the approach in the postseason.

That innovation was borne of necessity. With the Rays rotation having been decimated by injuries over the past two years, someone had to start each game. As Blake Snell and Chris Archer were each, at one point in time, the only actual starting pitchers on the active roster, leading to the Rays plethora of bullpen days.

While those have generally been successful, the opener may not be needed for much longer. Ryne Stanek, the Rays primary opener, was traded at the deadline. The rotation has a strong trio in Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Charlie Morton.

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The Tampa Bay rotation is only set to get stronger next year. Yonny Chirinos should be healthy at the start of the upcoming season, and Trevor Richards could return to the rotation after serving as the bulk reliever after his acquisition.

Then there are the prospects. Jose De Leon made three appearances for the Rays last season, and if healthy, could be ready to fulfill his long promised potential. Anthony Banda and Brent Honeywell should be back at some point in 2020 as well, ready to stake a claim to the spot in the rotation. Brendan McKay may not have performed well in his first attempt at being a two way major league player, but there is plenty of talent in his left arm.

As the roster currently stands, the Rays are likely to enter the 2020 season in an unfamiliar place when compared to recent years. They have plenty of depth to the rotation, with numerous options in the event of an injury. Considering they are also likely to sign a possible reclamation project or two for depth, the Rays rotation should not be problem, even with injuries.

While the Tampa Bay Rays have plenty of depth in the rotation, that could lead to changes in their approach. Specifically, that could lead to the opener becoming a thing of the past, despite its success for the Rays.