In a season of mediocrity that would seem only fitting for the Rays to finish 81-81, time is running out to make the long-discussed run back into the thick of American League wild-card contention.
Even if they don’t, there will be some things to play for through September.
Milestones and contract incentives will soon come further into focus, but it’s prime time for a player to try to improve his standing for next season.
There could be some jockeying among starting pitcher candidates, a talented group that looks to be seven strong with Shane Baz, Taj Bradley, Zack Littell, Ryan Pepiot, Drew Rasmussen, Jeffrey Springs and, assuming he completes Tommy John surgery rehab well, Shane McClanahan.
Newcomers such as prospect Junior Caminero and trade-acquisition Dylan Carlson can continue to make good impressions. Brandon Lowe can further a strong case to have his $10.5 million option picked up.
But the player who may benefit most from a strong finish to keep his job could be centerfielder Jose Siri.
The combination of speed, power, athleticism and elite defense makes Siri a prime talent. But his lapses of concentration, occasional lack of hustle, stretches of inconsistency and extended slumps are cause for concern. As are his .214 career batting average, .687 OPS and 35.3 strikeout rate, well above the league average of 22.7.
Plus, he’ll turn 30 next season, is on his fifth organization and, most importantly, is headed for a hefty raise as he reaches arbitration eligibility, from this season’s $757,800 to likely the $3 million-$4 million range.
Twice this season, Siri was benched for not hustling. Both times, he came back strong, talking about increased focus.
He showed that in Oakland, hitting go-ahead homers in the eighth inning of Tuesday’s 1-0 win (after an 0-for-21 stretch with 13 strikeouts) and in the seventh of Wednesday’s 4-2 victory. In doing so, he became the first player in Rays history to hit go-ahead homers in the seventh inning or later in back-to-back games.
“He’s a special player, we know that,” manager Kevin Cash told reporters Wednesday in Oakland. “We know with our club what he’s capable of doing. It’s pretty consistent defensively. The hitting is pretty streaky. When he gets timed up at the plate, he can hit the ball a long way.”
Can the Rays, knowing Siri has 25-homer power and should be able to steal 20-plus bases, afford to gamble on what they’ll get? Or should they move on, and opt for Jonny DeLuca or look elsewhere?
The 500 level
Brandon Lowe on Friday notched his 500th career hit. Lowe, a 2015 third-round pick, is the 15th player to have that many with the Rays and the eighth draftee to reach the milestone. Here are the top 15, draftees noted with an -x and the year.
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Explore all your optionsPlayer, Hits
1. Carl Crawford-x 1999, 1,480
2. Evan Longoria-x 2006, 1,471
3. Ben Zobrist, 1,016
4. BJ Upton-x 2002, 910
5. Aubrey Huff-x 1998, 870
6. Kevin Kiermaier-x 2010, 756
7. Yandy Diaz, 678
8. Fred McGriff, 603
9. Carlos Pena, 559
10. Julio Lugo, 550
11. Toby Hall-x 1997, 538
12. Randy Arozarena, 531
13. Randy Winn, 513
14. Desmond Jennings-x 2006, 508
15. Brandon Lowe-x 2015, 500
Rays rumblings
Jonathan “J-Money” Erlichman’s departure for the NHL’s Penguins is a big loss for the Rays. Known as one of the smartest people in the organization, he — both in the dugout as process and analytics coach from 2019-23 and then back in the front office as a VP — offered different views and challenged the standard way of thinking. … Erlichman is the second recent analytic departure for other sports: Bryant Davis, a research and development analyst, last year went to the NFL’s Cowboys as a strategic analyst. … Kudos to Lilia Pepiot for cleverly sending husband Ryan a Spider-Man-themed 27th birthday cake Wednesday, in line with the teasing he’s taken over a spider bite leading to a knee infection that sidelined him a month. ... Randy Arozarena will be the prime topic of conversation when the Rays play at the Mariners Monday-Wednesday, but the series also marks a return to Seattle for Jose Caballero, who played there last season before being traded to the Rays for Luke Raley. … It doesn’t just seem like the Rays are stealing more bases: In their first 84 games, they swiped 81 and were caught 32 times for a 71.7 percentage; in their last 44 (through Friday), they stole 70 and were caught 13 times for an 84.3 success rate. Fangraphs.com took a deep dive in a piece titled, ”The Rays are Running Rampant.” … MLB’s Go-Ahead Entry program, using facial authentication technology rather than ticket scanning, will be rolled out for remaining home games at some Tropicana Field gates. Information on registering is coming soon. ... Asked by the MLB Network Radio crew the exact words he said to be ejected Wednesday while objecting to what he later acknowledged was a correct call, Cash replied: “Probably not something I need to say on XM Radio — it was deserving of an ejection.” … For what it’s worth, Caballero talked to reporters in Oakland after the “emotions got the best of us” dugout squabble with Yandy Diaz on Wednesday; Diaz declined that night and again on Thursday. … The Rays are hoping closer Pete Fairbanks (right lat strain) can make it back to pitch in a game by season’s end or at least return to game form so he can go into the offseason knowing he’s healthy. ... Starting when they get home Friday, the Rays play 17 straight games against teams in the playoff field: Padres, Twins, at Orioles, at Phillies, at Guardians. ... National crosschecker Scott Meaney was elected to the Mid-Atlantic Scouts Hall of Fame. ... Tuesday’s 1:54 game was a minute from matching the quickest nine-inning affair in franchise history (Aug. 9, 2011, vs. Royals).
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