Rays position analysis: Relief pitchers

The offseason has arrived, and the time has come for the Tampa Bay Rays to study what went right and wrong from a season that ended short of October.

This week, we focus on relievers, an area where Jake McGee and Brad Boxberger emerged as an effective late-inning duo, one that manager Joe Maddon affectionately dubbed "Jake and the Box." Meanwhile, Grant Balfour failed to meet early expectations as a closer, and younger arms such as Kirby Yates and Jeff Beliveau tried to establish consistent roles.

Here's a closer look at the play from the Rays' bullpen during the 2014 season ...

JAKE MCGEE

What he did right: Many things. He became a lock-down late-inning option for the Rays, a development that proved more crucial with Grant Balfour faltering early. In 73 appearances, McGee closed 5-2 with a 1.89 ERA, 19 saves and a career-high 90 strikeouts. The left-hander also finished with a career-best 2.7 WAR. The 71 1/3 innings (73 appearances) pitched topped his previous career-best total of 62 2/3 innings (71 appearances) posted in 2013. As Balfour struggled, McGee's consistency became that much more valuable.

Where he needs to improve: McGee has a chance to assert himself as a ninth-inning answer for the Rays. He showed versatility in developing a curveball to pair with his effective fastball, and if he continues to add depth to his repertoire, he'll only be that much better. Maddon called McGee the Rays' "one true All-Star" before the Midsummer Classic, and it wasn't hard to see why.

Contract status: Arbitration eligible. He made $1.45 million in 2014.

Likelihood of return: He'll return, and it will be interesting to watch if the Rays choose to give him the closer label. He was Tampa Bay's most dependable late-inning option for much of 2014. His goal should be building on gains from the most recent season.

BRAD BOXBERGER

What he did right: He wasn't the centerpiece of a seven-player trade between the Rays and San Diego Padres last January, but he became the swap's largest success story. Late in the season, the right-hander carved out a niche for himself as a strong eighth-inning presence to set up McGee. He finished an impressive 5-2 with a 2.37 ERA, two saves and 18 holds in 64 2/3 innings (63 appearances). He had 104 strikeouts, a high among relievers. His mental strength was obvious, and his laid-back demeanor served him well on the mound.

Where he needs to improve: Building stamina for late in the season would be wise. He was strong in July (0.00 ERA in 12 1/3 innings) and August (1.88 ERA in 14 1/3 innings). However, he wavered in September with a 4.70 ERA in 7 2/3 innings.

Contract status: Pre-arbitration eligible. He made $500,000 in 2014.

Likelihood of return: He'll return to give the Rays another strong one-two punch in the late innings with McGee. At times, his stuff looked nasty, and it was an experience to witness someone so dominant on the mound. Tampa Bay should be eager to explore what Boxberger's potential can be.

GRANT BALFOUR

What he did right: Little. He was a disappointment for how much hype surrounded his arrival. Billed as the Rays' answer at closer, the right-hander was strangely erratic and shied from challenging hitters with his fastball too often. Instead, he relied on sliders in such situations, and poor results followed. He finished 2-6 with a 4.91 ERA, 57 strikeouts, 12 saves and three blown saves in 62 1/3 innings (65 appearances).

Where he needs to improve: He has to cut down on the walks. He allowed a career-high 41 in 2014, surpassing the 33 he posted in 2009 with the Rays. Many eyes will be on him next season to see if he can control himself. Will he receive another look at the closer role? Time will tell. But he has to solve whatever made him struggle.

Contract status: Signed through 2015 on a two-year, $12 million deal. He made $4 million in 2014.

Likelihood of return: He'll return, but he'll be watched closely. Can he figure out whatever ailed him and make a case to be the Rays' closer again? Or will he continue to be reduced to a lesser role? For as much as Tampa Bay is paying him, the Rays would like to see him figure things out. Needless to say, he has much to prove.

KIRBY YATES

What he did right: He was decent in his first months in the majors, finishing with a 2.79 ERA in 9 2/3 innings in June and a 2.25 ERA in eight innings in July. Yates is a former closer for Triple-A Durham, so the Rays would like him to develop similar late-inning consistency for them. The right-hander displayed promise early, only to falter late. He finished 0-2 with a 3.75 ERA, 42 strikeouts, one save and one blown save in 36 innings (37 appearances).

Where he needs to improve: It happens with young pitchers, but Yates was erratic in the season's closing months. He finished with a 4.38 in 12 1/3 innings in August and a 6.00 ERA in six innings in September. If he's able to make his early results his output for the entire year, he'll show the appropriate growth.

Contract status: Pre-arbitration eligible. He made $500,000 in 2014.

Likelihood of return: He'll return and provide depth within the bullpen. As a major-league player, he's still figuring out what he can be at this level. He should strive to be more consistent in high-leverage scenarios.

JEFF BELIVEAU

What he did right: He was strong in his first significant time with the Rays, not allowing a run until his seventh appearance with them. The left-hander finished with one save, six holds, 28 strikeouts and a 2.63 ERA in 24 innings (30 appearances). For most of the season, he provided decent depth.

Where he needs to improve: He can strive to be a Boxberger-type presence, elevating himself into a more significant bullpen role. Most of 2014, he showed promise, but he faltered when he finished with a 5.14 ERA in seven innings in September. Can he develop more consistency? That will be the key.

Contract status: Pre-arbitration eligible. He made $500,000 in 2014.

Likelihood of return: He'll return and hope to secure a role in the bullpen after plenty of shuffling between Tampa Bay and Triple-A Durham throughout the past two seasons. He showed promise when given an opportunity to prove his worth in the most recent campaign. He should strive to do so again.

CESAR RAMOS

What he did right: He showed the most promise in spring training, when he was a legitimate option to win the Rays' fifth-starter job. After losing out to right-hander Jake Odorizzi in the competition, the left-hander was used in the rotation anyway when injuries hampered the rotation early. Overall, Ramos finished 2-6 with a 3.70 ERA, 66 strikeouts and two holds in 82 2/3 innings (43 appearances, seven starts).

Where he needs to improve: A new start in Los Angeles should serve him well. Strangely, he seemed to fall out of favor with Maddon following the brief stint as a starter. He's a Los Angeles native and a Long Beach State graduate, so Ramos should find comfort in his surroundings. Perhaps the change in environment will mean better results.

Contract status: Arbitration eligible. He made $750,000 in 2014.

Likelihood of return: Traded to the Los Angeles Angels on Nov. 5.

JOEL PERALTA

What he did right: It's hard to measure Peralta's full impact in numbers, because he served as a mentor to other Latin players in the Rays clubhouse. The right-hander's numbers declined in 2014 compared to his other three seasons with the Rays -- he closed 3-4 with a 4.41 ERA, 74 strikeouts, one save, 18 holds and six blown saves in 63 1/3 innings (69 appearances) -- but he still provided a stable presence for Maddon in many ways.

Where he needs to improve: He must show that he can be dependable in high-leverage situations late. At age 38, he's in the twilight of his career. Still, reuniting with Andrew Friedman on the West Coast will provide some familiarity as he begins a new chapter in his career. Expect him to serve as a clubhouse mentor in Los Angeles in much of the same way he did with Tampa Bay.

Contract status: Signed through 2015 on a three-year, $8.5 million deal ($2.5 million team options for 2016 and 2017). He made $3 million in 2014.

Likelihood of return: Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Nov. 20.

JUAN CARLOS OVIEDO

What he did right: He pitched for the first time since 2011 after recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he never met expectations. The right-hander posted a 3-3 record with a 3.69 ERA in 31 2/3 innings (32 appearances). His best stretch came in May, when he had a 0.69 ERA in 13 innings. He only allowed two runs (one earned) and seven hits in that month.

Where he needs to improve: If given the chance to pitch again, more consistency would help. He was a victim of numbers when right-hander Jeremy Hellickson returned to the rotation in July. Maddon called the decision to designate Oviedo for assignment "not easy." But Oviedo's 12.27 ERA in four July appearances couldn't have helped his cause, the lowlight being a four-run, seven-hit outing in a loss to the Kansas City Royals on July 7. He has promising stuff, but he needs refining.

Contract status: Free agent. He made $1.5 million in 2014.

Likelihood of return: Designated for assignment by Tampa Bay on July 26.

You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.