Comments on: Focusing on turning good into world class. http://www.tampabayraysfan.com/96/focusing-on-turning-good-into-world-class/ Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:55:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Bob R. http://www.tampabayraysfan.com/96/focusing-on-turning-good-into-world-class/comment-page-1/#comment-13 Bob R. Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:26:15 +0000 http://www.tampabayraysfan.com/?p=96#comment-13 I think there is another factor. Relievers are notoriously unreliable from year to year. Aside from a few superstar relievers like Rivera, Nathan et al, you cannot expect consistent performance from one year to the next. It is very likely that 2008 is about as good as it ever gets for Balfour and Howell. Wheeler's peripherals do not support his good results. Both may remain solid, but it is overly optimistic to expect them to remain as outstanding as they were. The best way to prepare for declines is to have as many useful options as possible available so that Maddon can cull through them to pick the ones most likely to contribute. In fact, I think there are 2 other related factors to consider. It is usually not a good idea to spend a lot of money on the bullpen. Miller was allowed to leave, which meant the Rays lacked a loogy, and some of the signings were intended to find someone who would be successful against them. Bradford and Wheeler are expensive, and I would not be surprised if the Rays are trying to deal them. If they do, they will need replacements. I think there is another factor. Relievers are notoriously unreliable from year to year. Aside from a few superstar relievers like Rivera, Nathan et al, you cannot expect consistent performance from one year to the next. It is very likely that 2008 is about as good as it ever gets for Balfour and Howell. Wheeler’s peripherals do not support his good results. Both may remain solid, but it is overly optimistic to expect them to remain as outstanding as they were. The best way to prepare for declines is to have as many useful options as possible available so that Maddon can cull through them to pick the ones most likely to contribute.

In fact, I think there are 2 other related factors to consider. It is usually not a good idea to spend a lot of money on the bullpen. Miller was allowed to leave, which meant the Rays lacked a loogy, and some of the signings were intended to find someone who would be successful against them. Bradford and Wheeler are expensive, and I would not be surprised if the Rays are trying to deal them. If they do, they will need replacements.

]]>