After such an amazing season in 2008, the Tampa Bay Rays vastly disappointed during the 2009 season, despite finishing with a record over .500 for just the second time in franchise history.
However, the Rays knew they still had one of the best teams in baseball, they just needed a few more pieces.
With the emergence of Ben Zobrist, the Rays no longer had a need for 2B Akinori Iwamura. So, they exercised his player option, and then immediately dealt him to the Pittsburgh Pirates for RHP Jesse Chavez.
One of the main problems that plagued the Rays during the 2009 season was their struggles closing out games.