The Rays have taken a jackhammer to their old way of doing business.

For years, the Rays’ strategy for contention was an all-too-familiar formula. It was as if the equation was etched on stone tablets preserved in a glass case with pressure sensors near Tampa Bay’s front office.

Strong pitching + dependable defense + just-good-enough offense = wins.

As reported by The Tampa Tribune, Rays owner Stuart Sternberg said the Rays trading away reliever Jake McGee for potential power represents a franchise shift of sorts. Here’s how Roger Mooney described the about-face:

Trading a closer/set-up man and a promising young pitcher with five years left of team control for some bats represents a shift in organizational strategy, which is centered around run prevention. But Sternberg said it was time for that shift, especially when the Rays had depth with which to deal.

Having McGee, who will make $4.8 million this season, is a luxury for a small-revenue team like the Rays.

“We needed to turn those bullpen innings into something more substantial on a day-to-day basis, and we think we have a player there who can be an impact for us, and we clearly needed some help on the offense side of the ball,” Sternberg said.

“But it’s not like we decimated the pitching staff.”

This is music to the ears of the crowd that digs lumber over leather. Still, it’s somewhat surprising the Rays would consider McGee that dispensable, even with the cash he commands. (After all, they traded a known asset for an unknown outcome.)

Joe is sure few will cry over McGee’s absence if Corey Dickerson tears through the Trop this summer. But if Dickerson turns out to be a dud, then let the second-guessing begin.