The Tampa Bay Rays have become known for their ability to seemingly turn nothing into something. Their unrivaled ability to find contributors from the scrap heap, and their farm system continuing to churn out prospects, has made the Rays one of the least conventional sustainable contenders in the majors.
Tampa Bay’s bullpen is a prime example of how they can turn over their roster and not miss a step. The Rays are currently tied for the best record in the American League, but only have two relievers who were part of their bullpen on Opening Day still on the roster.
To give #Rays and MLB fans an idea what this team has overcome, the current Tampa Bay bullpen has two pitchers that were on the Opening Day roster (Kittredge & Sherriff)
— Neil Solondz (@neilsolondz) August 1, 2021
Yet on August 1st Tampa Bay is in first place, 21 above .500 and the pen has an MLB best 3.03 ERA.
Tampa Bay Rays revolving door in bullpen keeps working
Typically, teams look for stability in the rotation and the bullpen. As such, relievers are a valuable commodity at the trade deadline, as almost every contender is looking to shore up the bullpen. The Rays, however, traded their closer in Diego Castillo, and the pitcher that had made the most starts for the team this year in Rich Hill.
But that has not mattered at all. A total of 29 players have taken the mound for the Rays this year; 27 if the pitching debuts for Brett Phillips and Francisco Mejia are ignored. And yet, despite the sheer volume of arms, and the nine pitchers on the Injured List, the Rays have a 3.52 ERA, the best mark in the American League.
Their bullpen has been even better. The Rays have had 26 different players make an appearance out of the bullpen. Even with that turnover, their bullpen has posted an impressive 3.03 ERA. It just does not matter who the Rays plug in – they get the job done in an impressive fashion.
Chances are, this will not be the end of that conveyer belt. The Rays will continue to mix and match bullpen arms, shuffling players in and out of their bullpen throughout the season. And no matter who is taking the ball, they will find a way to win.
The Tampa Bay Rays just keep finding relievers. When other teams are scrambling to put together a viable bullpen, the Rays keep plugging in any arm they can find.