Tampa Bay Rays: Three Underrated Trade Deadline Options

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - MARCH 28: Kevin Cash #16 of the Tampa Bay Rays looks towards game play in the eighth inning against the Houston Astros during Opening Day at Tropicana Field on March 28, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - MARCH 28: Kevin Cash #16 of the Tampa Bay Rays looks towards game play in the eighth inning against the Houston Astros during Opening Day at Tropicana Field on March 28, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
4 of 4
(Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

Tampa Bay Rays Trade Options

Jake Diekman, RP

More from Call to the Pen

The Rays final option is to add a player that would definitely provide a deeper bullpen for the final stretch of the regular season- as they persist for the final AL wild-card slot- and the eventual wild-card play-in game. Jake Diekman is an excellent option to retire tough left-handed opponents and makes that already deep bullpen, even more so.

They seem to be covered in terms of late-inning relievers, as Emilio Pagan, Jose Alvardo, and Diego Castillo have that role covered. However, some extra depth- especially left-handed depth- will do wonders for Kevin Cash and his in-game decisions. When it comes to a postseason game, it is vital to have an over-abundance of options to throw at one’s opponent.

The Rays would have an option for 2020, however, they are not tethered to the player, so in many ways, it is the best of both worlds for the front office. In a prospective trade like this, the Rays would have to give away something, yet nothing significant.

All in all, the Rays will likely make a trade for an outfielder, as well as, a piece for bullpen depth. These are just some of the names that their intuitive front office will likely pursue, but they will all likely be deals of this nature.