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Dreams may be coming true for Tampa Bay Rays fans.
After starting the first half of the season incredibly strong, the need to retool the roster for a deep playoff run is absolutely necessary. However, it isn't always a guarantee.
The national perception that the Rays won't go after the 'big fish' at the upcoming MLB Trade Deadline due to being seen as a 'small market team' carries some truth behind it if you look at recent history, but this year could be different.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, "The Rays, who suddenly are seeing that the AL is wide open for the taking, plan to be aggressive buyers at the deadline. They not only have their eyes on Skubal, but they have shown interest in seeing whether the Diamondbacks would move second baseman Ketel Marte and Giants All-Star second baseman Luis Arraez as a backup plan."
Eric Neander and the Rays front office have a big opportunity here to make a deep run this year in the postseason. The American League is having a down year; the New York Yankees, the team closest to you in the division, are injury-riddled, and you just got 5 players to be named to the upcoming All-Star Game this week.
It's clear, there is no better time than the present to go all in.
With the looming questions surrounding a possible salary cap beginning as soon as this offseason, this may be the last chance an organization like the Rays will have to maintain any of the advantages they believe they have under these constructed rules of baseball. They have to do everything possible to give this roster a chance to win the franchise's first World Series.
Tarik Skubal would obviously be a game-changer, despite the Rays already having one of the best rotations in baseball. Even with success from pitchers like Shane McClanahan, Nick Martinez, and Drew Rasmussen at the top of their rotation, adding a player like Skubal would bring a different type of ace to their rotation, something they do not possess.
If the Rays were to make this trade, it would most definitely be a rental. Skubal has made it clear that he will test free agency this upcoming offseason, and is the main reason why a team like the Tigers would even consider moving on from him at any point. With that being said, Skubal won't be traded like a half year player, there will be multiple suitors in the race fighting for his services.
Marte would certainly be an interesting addition if they were able to get the Diamondbacks to budge; however, it does carry a large contract for a player regressing with age. Marte, who is 32, is under contract until the end of the 2031 season, when he will be 37, with an average annual value just shy of $20 million.
If the Rays believe it's worth it, then go for it, but I think there may be better options that fit Tampa Bay's style.
Arraez seems like a no-brainer. And also seems like a move that wouldn't cost your top prospects, meaning you can utilize them for another bigger blockbuster deal (like Skubal).
He may not possess the power needed to hit home runs at Tropicana, but consistency at the plate is exactly what is missing from the majority of the order. Arraez, who sits at or near the top in almost every major hitting category, including batting average, easily fixes that problem.
Regardless, the Rays must put all their chips on the table if they believe they have the foundational pieces of a World Series roster.
Continue reading...
After starting the first half of the season incredibly strong, the need to retool the roster for a deep playoff run is absolutely necessary. However, it isn't always a guarantee.
The national perception that the Rays won't go after the 'big fish' at the upcoming MLB Trade Deadline due to being seen as a 'small market team' carries some truth behind it if you look at recent history, but this year could be different.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, "The Rays, who suddenly are seeing that the AL is wide open for the taking, plan to be aggressive buyers at the deadline. They not only have their eyes on Skubal, but they have shown interest in seeing whether the Diamondbacks would move second baseman Ketel Marte and Giants All-Star second baseman Luis Arraez as a backup plan."
Eric Neander and the Rays front office have a big opportunity here to make a deep run this year in the postseason. The American League is having a down year; the New York Yankees, the team closest to you in the division, are injury-riddled, and you just got 5 players to be named to the upcoming All-Star Game this week.
It's clear, there is no better time than the present to go all in.
With the looming questions surrounding a possible salary cap beginning as soon as this offseason, this may be the last chance an organization like the Rays will have to maintain any of the advantages they believe they have under these constructed rules of baseball. They have to do everything possible to give this roster a chance to win the franchise's first World Series.
Tarik Skubal would obviously be a game-changer, despite the Rays already having one of the best rotations in baseball. Even with success from pitchers like Shane McClanahan, Nick Martinez, and Drew Rasmussen at the top of their rotation, adding a player like Skubal would bring a different type of ace to their rotation, something they do not possess.
If the Rays were to make this trade, it would most definitely be a rental. Skubal has made it clear that he will test free agency this upcoming offseason, and is the main reason why a team like the Tigers would even consider moving on from him at any point. With that being said, Skubal won't be traded like a half year player, there will be multiple suitors in the race fighting for his services.
Marte would certainly be an interesting addition if they were able to get the Diamondbacks to budge; however, it does carry a large contract for a player regressing with age. Marte, who is 32, is under contract until the end of the 2031 season, when he will be 37, with an average annual value just shy of $20 million.
If the Rays believe it's worth it, then go for it, but I think there may be better options that fit Tampa Bay's style.
Arraez seems like a no-brainer. And also seems like a move that wouldn't cost your top prospects, meaning you can utilize them for another bigger blockbuster deal (like Skubal).
He may not possess the power needed to hit home runs at Tropicana, but consistency at the plate is exactly what is missing from the majority of the order. Arraez, who sits at or near the top in almost every major hitting category, including batting average, easily fixes that problem.
Regardless, the Rays must put all their chips on the table if they believe they have the foundational pieces of a World Series roster.
Continue reading...
