The Major League Baseball General Manager meetings came to an end on November 12th. While Matt Silverman and the Tampa Bay Rays made no acquisitions during the meetings, the perception is that the groundwork for some deals may have been laid. Let’s take a look at the trade rumors that saw the light of day over the course of the meetings.
Brad Boxberger and Jake McGee
The Detroit Tigers are one of many teams who showed interest in Jake McGee and Brad Boxberger during the GM Meetings reports Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times). Also included on that list are the Houston Astros, whose interest in a Rays’ reliever extends back to the 2015 trade deadline. Detroit is in the market to upgrade its bullpen, so it’s no surprise that Al Avila and Detroit would check in with Tampa Bay.
The Rays, however, aren’t under any pressure to make a deal at the moment. MLB Trade Rumors projects McGee to earn $4.7MM in 2016, while his right handed counterpart is still a year away from arbitration eligibility. The team isn’t facing any financial burden by keeping both relievers in the fold. Whatever the case, the general sense is that they’d need to be overwhelmed by an offer for the Rays to deal either reliever.
The recent trade of Craig Kimbrel could give an idea of what the Rays could net should they decide to deal the left handed McGee. Adam Sanford (DRaysBay) wrote on the subject:
Kimbrell and McGee have had similar careers with Kimbrell easily being the more dominant pitcher, but he has been well-compensated for that, as he signed a four-year extension in 2014 that guaranteed him $42 million from 2014 to 2017, with a $13 million option for 2018. McGee will be paid just about half of what Kimbrell gets these next two years, which compensates for lesser numbers he’d put up.
Asdrubal Cabrera, a Ray once more?
While improbable, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Asdrubal Cabrera could return to Tampa Bay on a one-year contract. Even with the newly-acquired Brad Miller expected to compete for the job at short, the team could platoon both Miller and Logan Forsythe at several positions, while Asdrubal ― or a player like Alexi Ramirez ― gets the bulk of playing time on the left-hand side of the diamond.
A contact extension for Logan Forsythe
According to Steve Adams (MLB Trade Rumors), Tampa Bay and the 28-year Forsythe have expressed mutual interest in discussing an extension of some kind. Forsythe has two years of control remaining, and he is projected to earn $3.3MM for the coming season. Given that he is coming off what many have called a career season, and bearing in mind Stu Sternberg’s frugality, the likely scenario may be a two or three season deal with an option or two at the back end.
James Loney on the trade block?
“The Rays are willing to eat some of James Loney‘s $8MM salary to help facilitate a trade, which could help them swing a deal in a thin first base market,” writes Mark Polishuk (MLB Trade Rumors). There is also the school of thought that if the Rays dealt a pitcher, they could insist on adding Loney as part of the trade package. Personally, I can’t help but feel the primary onus on figuring out a way to move OF Desmond Jennings. Nevertheless a trade of Loney could open playing time for Richie Shaffer, as well as go far in creating financial and roster flexibility to add a hitter.
Matt Moore and Drew Smyly
Should the Rays choose to deal another hurler, Matt Moore ($5MM) ― who is in his last guaranteed year before three team options kick in ― or Drew Smyly ($3.9MM) ― with his shoulder issues ― could be the likeliest candidates to be moved. Per Topkin, both southpaws carry significant salaries for the low-payroll ball club. It is thought that Tampa Bay may have enough depth to get away with moving another starter, which would also clear a spot in the rotation for über prospect Blake Snell.
Making roster space ahead of the Rule 5 Draft
This Friday is the deadline for teams to set their 40-man rosters for the Rule 5 Draft. (They also have to set their Triple-A and Double-A rosters for the minor league phase.) Per Topkin:
With Snell, Guerrieri and Faria and another couple of prospects (INF/OF Taylor Motter? RHP German Marquez?) expected to be added to the roster by Friday’s deadline to be protected from the upcoming Rule 5 draft, the Rays are going to have to trim elsewhere. Players who could be dropped from the roster, or dealt, include OFs Daniel Nava and Joey Butler, Ps Kirby Yatesand (injured) Grayson Garvin and either C J.P. Arencibia or Rene Rivera. RHPs Brandon Gomes could be another.