Tampa Bay Rays Could Dictate the MLB Trade Deadline
Some teams have already started to sell off some of their major leagues pieces, such as the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres, but there are a few suspected sellers that have not pulled the trigger on trades just yet. The Tampa Bay Rays currently sit last in the AL East by a wide margin and have the ability to change the complexion of the non-waiver trade deadline if they decided to do so.
The MLB trade season is just starting to come into full swing with the most recent deal that sent All Star Drew Pomeranz to Boston for one of their premier pitching prospects in Anderson Espinoza. The hefty price that the Red Sox had to pay should act as a bit of foreshadowing to how highly valued starting pitching will be for the next couple of weeks.
Being that there are so few capable starting pitchers available, the Tampa Bay Rays are in an enviable position with the stable of starters that they could sell this month.
Drew Smyly and Matt Moore come to mind as possible buy-low options, as they have had prior success that has not carried over into this season. Jake Odorizzi is a young, controllable and talented starting pitcher that will be able to fetch just as much as Pomeranz did. Heck, the Rays could even dangle Chris Archer, just to see what he could command in a trade. Albeit, it would take an extremely aggressive offer to pry the fiery 27 year-old from the Rays as he is controllable and has front of the rotation stuff, even though he is having a down year in 2016.
It is possible that Odorizzi, Moore and Smyly could be on the move this summer with the number of teams looking to improve their starting pitching. The list of trade partners list could include the Tigers, Royals, Rangers, Astros, Mets, Pirates, Giants, Dodgers, Orioles and Red Sox. Even though a trade with Boston and Baltimore seem unlikely as the Rays would probably be hesitant about trading controllable pitching within the division. The amount of starters that could be traded is thin this year and as you can see by the Pomeranz deal, clubs will pay a high price to improve their rotation. If they decide to shop some if their starting pitchers, the Rays won’t be lacking for suitors, that’s for sure.
Now this doesn’t necessarily mean that the Tampa Bay Rays will or really should trade any of their starting pitchers. All of them are cheap and are controlled beyond this season, but it would be wise for them to consider the idea of overhauling their starting rotation in an attempt to build their offense for the next couple of years.
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Evan Longoria is having a very solid season, but he is no longer in his 20s. Desmond Jennings and Tim Beckham look like they will be wasted potential, the offseason acquisitions of Logan Morrison and Brad Miller probably aren’t helping out as much as the Rays hoped and their quality position player prospects, like Willy Adames and Garrett Whitley, look to be a few years away from contributing at the major league level. If the Rays do make some of their starters available, the they would be wise to ask for some younger position players that are close to contributing in 2017 or possibly sooner. Plus, the Rays have young starters to add to their rotation in the near future with Blake Snell, Brent Honeywell and Taylor Guerrieri, among others, that could contribute for the team next season.
The Rays have more starters to trade than any team in baseball and they would be wise to capitalize on the sellers market that is currently taking shape as the trade deadline draws closer. Odorizzi would likely be able to bring in at least two top ten prospects in team’s system and Drew Smyly probably will fetch something of value as well. Matt Moore is the pitcher that would be the toughest to give up because of how low his value is at the moment and given his immense talent, but the Rays should still be willing to consider trading him because of the high return controllable starting pitchers bring back to an organization.
Their pitching makes the Rays one of the most influential teams this trading season as they could not only bring back a lot of young talent to the club, but could also drastically shift the postseason push if they decide to go all in and trade away two or three starting pitchers.
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Should the Tampa Bay Rays trade their of their starting pitchers? Who in particular is most likely to be dealt? Let us know in the comments section below.