Height
6'0"
Weight
200 lbs
Age
36
College
Dartmouth
Draft
2013, Rd 25, #741
Experience
7 yrs
Bats/Throws
R/R
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsA-
| Year | Team | GP | ERA | W-L | K | WHIP | IP | SV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 158 | 3.5239923 | 10-14 | 182 | 1.2898272 | 0.0 | 15 |
Current Contract
Length
1 year
Total Value
$1.1M
Guaranteed
$630K
AAV
$1.1M/yr
Contract Value Index (CVI)
Cole Sulser's $1.05M arbitration settlement earns an A- CVI, representing exceptional value for a reliable middle relief option who continues producing solid results at 36 years old. His A- performance grade validates Tampa Bay's decision to retain him while non-tendering other players, showcasing the organizational confidence in his dependable bullpen contributions that have sustained him through seven MLB seasons. At just over $1M AAV, Sulser represents the type of cost-effective depth piece that allows teams to allocate resources elsewhere while maintaining competent late-inning coverage. The modest one-year term eliminates any long-term risk while providing the Rays with a proven commodity who understands his role as a steady veteran presence. Despite generating minimal fanfare in the broader baseball landscape, Sulser's ability to consistently deliver serviceable innings at below-market rates makes this deal a shrewd roster construction move. The contract perfectly encapsulates his career trajectory as a dependable journeyman who may lack the upside to excite fans but provides the reliability that front offices value in building out their bullpen depth.
Fan & Media Sentiment
Cole Sulser embodies the baseball equivalent of beige wallpaper — thoroughly unremarkable in the public consciousness despite quietly effective production. The tepid C- sentiment reflects his status as a classic journeyman reliever who generates zero buzz despite seven years of steady work, with his modest $1.05M arbitration settlement perfectly encapsulating how little fanfare surrounds his career. While Tampa Bay's decision to retain him over other non-tendered players suggests organizational value, the broader baseball world views Sulser as replacement-level depth rather than a meaningful bullpen contributor. The disconnect between his solid on-field performance and lukewarm public perception stems from his complete lack of signature moments or standout seasons that capture attention in today's highlight-driven media landscape. For Sulser to shift the narrative, he'd need either a breakout campaign with dominant numbers or a high-leverage postseason moment that elevates his profile beyond "reliable depth piece." The sentiment grade captures perfectly where he sits: a competent professional who does his job without inspiring much excitement or concern from anyone outside the Rays organization.
Recent Games
| Date | OPP | Result | AB | H | R | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, 4/7 | vs CHC | L 2-9 | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - |
| Sat, 4/4 | @ MIN | W 7-1 | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - |
News & Buzz
Live Discussion
Auto-moderated fan forum with 5-minute speaker turns
Discussion
Loading discussion...