Neander, Bendix and the 2023 Tampa Bay Rays: A mid-term grade
By Bill Felber
Acquired or traded
Since the conclusion of the 2022 postseason, Neander and Bendix pursued a relatively cautious line of action in their direct dealings with other teams. They acquired only five players (all of them bullpen supplements) by trade, waiver or purchase.
The five, none of whom have become central parts to Tampa Bay’s success, are Kevin Kelly, Robert Stephenson, Chase Anderson, Zach Littell and Javier Guerra.
Of the five, only Kelley (with 35 innings of work) has played more than a peripheral role — and Kelley’s 0.0 WAA makes even his acquisition of neutral value.
In fact the total impact of all five acquisitions is exactly 0.0 because only two of the five had a WAA with the Rays other than 0.0 … and those two offset. Littell is at -0.2, and Anderson was at +0.2 before being waived recently.
Neander and Bendix have been more aggressive in their willingness to shuffle off players to other teams. Through the first half of 2023, nine players on the Rays roster in 2022 played for other teams. Again, however, the impact of those nine player losses has been modest.
None of the nine has generated an impact exceeding one-half game of WAA for their new teams. The total impact of those nine is -0.5 WAA. Let it be noted here that when the impact of players you lose to other teams is negative, that’s a good thing for you.
Only one of the nine (Brooks Raley now of the Mets) has played a significant role with his new team. For the record, the other eight 2022 or 2023 Rays now toiling for other teams are Ryan Sherriff, Javy Guerra, Chase Anderson, Kevin Herget, Braden Bristo, Ben Heller, Miles Mastrobuoni and Joe La Sorsa.