Trade Deadline Preview: Tampa Bay Rays

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

So, who would the Rays be looking to move? Two obvious names come to mind, as well as a dark horse trade candidate.

1. David Price. Price has been the subject of trade rumors for over a year now. It was felt that Price was becoming too expensive for the Rays, that Price would never be able to be resigned and that the Rays should maximize his trade value. However, as the Rays remained in contention, it made no sense to part ways with one of the best pitchers in baseball. Now, finding themselves with the worst record in the game, it is time to trade Price. As Price has another year and a half of team control before free agency, the Rays may be able to command a package that surpasses what they received for James Shields.

2. Ben Zobrist. Perhaps no one player personifies the Rays more than Zobrist. A versatile player who seemingly fits in anywhere on the diamond, Zobrist compiled a 32.4 WAR from 2009 through 2013, ranking him amongst the best players in the game. Capable of playing second, right, short and even left and center, Zobrist can fill a need virtually everywhere, even if a team acquires him as a super utility player.

3. Matt Joyce. The Rays typically do not trade players away at the nadir of their value, but an exception may have to be made for Joyce. While his batting average and on base percentage have been solid, Joyce is hitting for virtually no power, as he has all of three home runs on the season. Although Joyce has never hit twenty home runs in a season, he has hovered around that mark for the previous three seasons. Perhaps Joyce needs a change of scenery and a new beginning.