DUGOUT: Long losing streak changes Rays’ offseason plans

When September began, the Tampa Bay Rays were six games behind the AL Wild Card-leading Boston Red Sox. A strong month was needed to squeak back into the playoffs, but losing 12 of their last 13 games has effectively ended their season and sent them back to the drawing board.

Plenty of things went wrong for the defending ALCS winners. Superstar centerfielder BJ Upton was supposed to display his incredible defense while developing some additional power from the right side. Upton’s defense is living up to the hype, but his triple-slash line of .235/.307/.361 leaves much to be desired.

Some scouts claim that Upton needs a change of scenery before he can tap into his phenomenal potential. It’s probable that Tampa Bay will listen to offers on Upton this winter, but because he is under team control for the next three years and his value at a career-low there is no pressure to unload him before the 2010 season begins.

If the Rays do elect to make a trade, though, outfielder Carl Crawford better keep his bags packed. Crawford, an All-Star this year, has another team option in 2010, which Tampa Bay is likely to take advantage of. Crawford hit .300/.357/.444 this year and many teams would pay a pretty penny for the 27-year-old left-handed outfielder with 56 stolen bases this year.

Should the Rays trade one of their outfielders this winter, they have a few viable in-house options as replacements. Top prospect Desmond Jennings, 22, was recently promoted to Triple-A for the end of the minor league season and has become one of the most consistent batters in his league. Jennings’ defense is also very good.

Another outfield option for the Rays could be Fernando Perez, who already has limited experience with the major league club.

Despite the lengthy losing streak Tampa Bay has endured, and putting aside the fact that it may have prematurely ended its season, there are still plenty of positive elements on this Rays team. Jason Bartlett, 29, has hit .327/.391/.509 this year with 14 home runs and 24 stolen bases. He earned an All-Star appearance and has garnered consideration as an MVP candidate because of his status as one of the most complete players in the game.

Third baseman Evan Longoria, winner of the Rookie of the Year award last year, has belted 30 home runs this season while becoming even more patient at the plate. He won an All-Star appearance this year, as well, and is considered the best young third baseman in the league.

On the flipside, David Price, a 23-year-old starting pitcher and the best prospect in the Rays system, endured a forgettable rookie season this year, going 7-7 with a 4.65 ERA.

Perhaps the most telling difference between the team that went to the World Series in 2008 and the team hovering around .500 in 2009 is the bullpen. Last year, Grant Balfour had a 1.54 ERA, JP Howell 2.22, and Dan Wheeler 3.12. This year, those three pitchers have combined for an ERA well over 4.00.

Tampa Bay has evolved into a closer-by-committee team this year because of Troy Percival’s struggles, and the increased workload demands may be why just one pitcher on the team with more than 10 innings pitched has an ERA under 3.00.

After winning just once in the last two weeks, the Rays find themselves more than 12 games back in the AL wild card race with 19 games remaining in the regular season.

It’s not impossible, but a deficit that large may be reason enough for the Rays’ front office start gearing for the future.

Andrew Kneeland is a junior at the Arizona Virtual Academy. He is an intern at the Green Valley News.