{"id":353462,"date":"2025-09-30T23:05:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T23:05:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/353462\/"},"modified":"2025-09-30T23:05:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T23:05:10","slug":"rays-could-turn-their-new-reliever-into-a-starter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/353462\/","title":{"rendered":"Rays Could Turn Their New Reliever Into a Starter"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Tampa Bay Rays have a bevy of roster questions to address. The pitching staff needs clearer answers at the back end of the starting rotation<\/a> after a season in which most of the group successfully avoided the injury bug. The Rays are usually the ones leading the charge when it comes to analytics and the modern game. Now, the Rays, coming off two straight years of missing the postseason, may steal a page from other clubs when it comes to constructing their pitching staff next season.<\/p>\n

\"\"Sep 18, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Griffin Jax (22) throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
\nAre the Rays Becoming a Bunch of Copycats?<\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s the opener or the defensive shifts, the Tampa Bay Rays are always trying to push the limits of what works at the Major League Baseball level. When it comes to answering those questions on the pitching staff, they may have a perfect pitcher to attempt the reliever-turned-starter experiment.<\/p>\n

Griffin Jax<\/a> finished strong after a rocky beginning when he arrived via trade with the Minnesota Twins. When it comes to building a pitching staff, teams are increasingly searching for guys who can pitch in different roles. Think Seth Lugo<\/a>, Reynaldo Lopez<\/a>, Clay Holmes<\/a>, etc. If the gambit works, it can save a team from spending loads of money in free agency on one of the most fickle creatures in baseball: starting pitchers.<\/p>\n

Griffin Jax as a Starter<\/p>\n

Jax, 30, was acquired<\/a> by the Rays at the trade deadline from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for starting pitcher Taj Bradley<\/a>. It was a straight swap of two players who each hold a boatload of promise. It also represented a gamble that the Rays could turn around his performance. Jax posted a 3.60 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 20 innings for the Rays. The Arizona native has five pitches, although he utilizes his 97 mph fastball along with a filthy sweeper and changeup. His 37.3% whiff rate is in the 98th percentile, and his 35% strikeout rate is firmly in the 98th percentile. Those solid numbers represent a big turnaround from his underwhelming early season in the Twin Cities. Jax won\u2019t become arbitration-eligible until 2026 or a free agent until his age-32 season.<\/p>\n

Griffin Jax, Wicked Sweepers\u2026and Sword. \u2694\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/sgt0K0YpbR<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

As mentioned, the Braves converted Lopez into a starter, and he posted a 1.99 earned run average in 135 2\/3 innings during the 2024 season. Lugo pitched to an even-3 ERA in 33 games during the 2024 season. Plus, the Rays have experience doing this with Zack Littell<\/a>. The good news is that Jax has experience as a starter. The results are not great with a 5.93 ERA in 16 games started, but that was almost five years ago now.<\/p>\n

It Takes Two to Tango<\/p>\n

When asked about the potential conversion by the Tampa Bay Times\u2019 Marc Topkin,<\/a> Jax is willing to consider all the options. \u201cI think it\u2019s exciting,\u201d Jax said. \u201c\u2026I haven\u2019t done it in four years, so it\u2019s going to have to be some real consideration on my part,\u201d Jax said.<\/p>\n

Another item worth mentioning is that Jax reportedly requested<\/a> a trade from the Twins once he realized the magnitude of their summer trade deadline selling. Jax understandably grew perturbed at the quantity and quality of players the Twins were shipping away. He has a chance to author a new chapter in a Rays uniform. Having said that, the Rays may trade him once again because they are also a club that trades players when they get closer to free agency.<\/p>\n

In any event, the Rays have options when it comes to Griffin Jax on their pitching staff, making him a starter, reliever, or a mix. Most Rays fans will gladly put their trust in the pitching coaches to figure out the best plan of action. The blueprint is visible, and the only question is whether or not the Rays will follow that or blaze a new trail once again.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Main Photo Credit: \u00a9 Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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