3 moves for the Tampa Bay Rays this offseason
The Tampa Bay Rays just keep finding ways to win. Trade a key part of their rotation and lose their staff ace for the year due to injury? No big deal. Trade their closer at the deadline? Well, the assembly line of relievers will just need to kick it up another notch.
That was how the Rays handled the 2021 season, with 15 different pitchers getting a start and 13 different relievers recording saves. And, as usual, that worked in the regular season, as the Rays won 100 games. However, it led to an early exit, as they lost to the Red Sox in the ALDS.
Three moves for the Tampa Bay Rays this offseason
Even with that early exit, the mission remains the same – to win a championship despite their payroll limitations. With one of the best front offices in the business, and a knack for finding bargains in free agency, the Rays may find themselves back in the playoffs in 2022. But some work needs to be done first.
The Tampa Bay Rays are still searching for their first championship. Here are some moves that could help in that quest.
Extend the future stars
The Tampa Bay Rays have been known to extend their young players as soon as they possibly can. It is time to see if they can do that again with a pair of their young stars.
Randy Arozarena had already burst onto the scene in the 2020 postseason, becoming the modern day Mr. October during his record setting performance. However, as he was still considered a rookie heading into the 2021 campaign, he continued to lead the Rays offense en route to being named the AL Rookie of the Year.
Wander Franco had been considered one of the top prospects in baseball for years before his debut. He did not disappoint, finishing third in the Rookie of the Year vote despite missing a portion of the season as he was in the minors. Both Arozarena and Franco showed that they could be the faces of the Rays going forward.
And they should be. For all of their success, the Rays have lacked that presence since Evan Longoria was traded to the Giants. With Arozarena’s personality and Franco’s excellent all around game, they have two players that could easily step into that void.
Randy Arozarena and Wander Franco can be a significant part of the Tampa Bay Rays for a long time. The Rays should look to extend both as soon as possible.
Trade Kevin Kiermaier
It is easier said than done when it comes to trading Kevin Kiermaier. Nonetheless, this is something that the Tampa Bay Rays need to make happen.
With a salary of just over $12 million for 2022, Kiermaier is easily the most expensive player on the roster. He also has not produced at the level that the Rays have hoped for over the past four years, posting an 88 OPS+ with 28 homers, 56 doubles, and 46 steals in his 366 games over that span. While injuries play a part in his disappointing performance, Kiermaier just never took that next step.
However, he is not entirely without value. Kiermaier is still stellar defensively, saving 48 runs in center over the past four years. Considering that he has missed 180 games in that time, he has saved that amount of runs in what is essentially less than three full seasons.
Trading Kiermaier is still going to be difficult due to his salary and a $2.5 million buyout of his option for next year. Chances are, the Rays would need to attach a top prospect to him in order to get out from under that contract. Considering the pipeline of talent in their farm system, that may not be an issue, especially considering how many teams need help in the outfield.
The Tampa Bay Rays need to move on from Kevin Kiermaier. They may be able to this offseason with the right addition to the package.
Find the next staff ace
Chances are, the Tampa Bay Rays are going to be without Tyler Glasnow for most, if not all, of the 2022 season. This leaves a gaping hole atop their rotation.
In the past, the Rays have been able to trade their staff ace because they had the next man up ready to go. That is not the case this year. While their young arms have the potential to be that next ace, none of them have proven themselves at the major league level thus far.
Likewise, the Rays cannot afford to land that ace in free agency. Their payroll limitations leave them on the outside looking in when it comes to the upper level of arms on the market. Even the arms that could be available on the trade market may have too high of a salary for the Rays to stomach.
This forces them to look within. In this case, their best option may be a pitcher with all of three major league starts to their name in Shane Baz. One of the top pitching prospects in the game, Baz certainly has the pedigree to take over that role even if he is not quite ready. However, he may be their best option.
Next. Rays 2022 bullpen plans take hit. dark
The Tampa Bay Rays need someone to step up as their staff ace in 2022. Shane Baz may be their best option.