Steve Geltz claimed by Milwaukee, who also acquired Erik Thames; Jim Bowden’s odd trade suggestion

Designated for assignment by the Tampa Bay Rays last week, RHP Steve Geltz has been claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers. (Photo Credit: (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Designated for assignment by the Tampa Bay Rays last week, RHP Steve Geltz has been claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers. (Photo Credit: (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

All still is quiet on the acquisition front for the Tampa Bay Rays, though a couple players connected to the ball club in some capacity have found new homes in the National League.

Going, going, Geltz

The much maligned RHP Steve Geltz, who was designated for assignment by the Rays last week to make room on the 40-man roster, has been claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Geltz put together a forgettable 2016 campaign, however, he offered the Rays two solid seasons previously.

Annyeong Erik Thames

The Brewers also made waves by signing free-agent OF/1B Erik Thames to a three-year, $16-million deal, with a team option for a fourth season, and a $1-million buyout. The deal is noteworthy because Thames, who played the last three seasons in the Korean Baseball Organization, was targeted as a platoon option at first base by the Rays.

To make room for Thames on the Brewers’ roster, National League home run co-leader, Chris Carter, was non-tendered and later designated for assignment by Milwaukee. The right-handed hitting Carter hit 41 home runs in 2016, and made $2.5-million with Milwaukee — an amount that would be a steal for Tampa Bay. However, as Bob Nightengale (USA Today Sports) was quick to point out, the arbitration eligible first baseman could earn more than $9-million next season, putting him well out of the reach of the Rays.

Jim Bowden, what in God’s name were you thinking?!

Finally, former GM and current ESPN baseball insider, Jim Bowden, again proved why he truly isn’t one of the more respected analysts in the game on Tuesday, when he wrote about trades he would like to see before the Winter Meetings. Bowden’s blockbuster deal would take place between the Rays and the Cubs, and Tampa Bay would receive OF Alex Almora, OF/2B Ian Happ, OF Jorge Soler, and RHP Carl Edwards for RHP Chris Archer, OF Kevin Kiermaier, and RHP Alex Colome.

Bowden’s reasoning is somewhat baffling:

The Rays get three everyday players who are all non-arbitration-eligible. They get a long-term solution at second base with Happ, who is a high-OBP hitter with the potential to hit 15-18 homers and steal bases. Soler would get the opportunity to play every day, and if he does, he’ll be projected to hit 20-25 home runs. Almora would take over center field as a plus-plus defender while Edwards can replace Alex Colome as the Rays’ closer. The deal will also save the Rays approximately $50 million in future salaries for both players during their control years, which is extremely important — at least until they get a new stadium.

I’m inclined to side with Jared Ward (DRaysBay), who broke down the proposed deal, that would give the Rays little in return. First off, Archer isn’t arbitration eligible, due to the contract he signed in 2014 which bought out his arbitration years, and a couple of free agent seasons. What’s more, Kiermaier could make his first trip through arbitration this offseason, where he is projected to earn $2.1-million by MLB Trade Rumors — a minor dent in the Rays’ payroll. And if he doesn’t go through arbitration, The Outlaw would make approximately $500-thousand next season.

Among other reasons, if the Rays are “hellbent” on being competitive in 2017, why in God’s name would they trade three key players, who combined for an 8 fWAR in 2016 (a cumulative 29.5 fWAR), for four players — of whom just one could possibly be depended upon as an everyday player at the Major League level? If the Rays were to trade some variation of Bowden’s fabulous three, they likely would do better trading each individually.

I’ve said it before but I will again, if Tampa Bay is going to trade anyone, it is more plausible for Senior VP of Baseball Operations, and General Manager, Erik Neander to deal LHP Drew Smyly, who is projected to earn $6.9-million through arbitration this offseason.

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Hot-Stove: Rays interested in Erik Thames and Steve Pearce; pitching and Logan Forsythe trade rumors

Erik Thames, formerly an outfielder with the Blue Jays and Mariners, converted to first base with the NC Dinos. (Photo Credit: Facebook)
Erik Thames, formerly an outfielder with the Blue Jays and Mariners, converted to first base with the NC Dinos, from South Korea. (Photo Credit: Facebook)

After a couple of weeks of relative quiet, the Hot-Stove period has, well…heated up! The most recent rumors swirling around the Tampa Bay Rays have to do with interest in OF/1B Erik Thames (formerly of the Blue Jays and Mariners, and most recently the NC Dinos, from South Korea), and a reunion with UTL Steve Pearce, among other things.

Erik Thames

Free agent OF/1B Eric Thames, who excelled in the Korea Baseball Organization since 2014, has drawn interest from the Rays, Padres, and Athletics. Thames, previously saw Major League action with Toronto and Seattle from 2011-12, hitting .250 BA/.296 OBP/.431 SLG/.727 OPS with 21 home runs in 684 lackluster plate appearances.

Since his immigration to Korea, however, Thames has hit at least 37 homers in each of the previous three seasons, giving him a combined 124. What’s more, his offensive production has been videogame-like, slashing .348 BA/.450 OBP/.720 SLG/1.170 OPS over 1,634 plate appearances. He also boasts 64 stolen bases on 78 attempts since playing for the NC Dinos.

Assuming he returns to the States, Steve Adams and Tim Dierkes (MLB Trade Rumors) projects Thames to sign a two-year, $10-million deal with the Rays, although one National League executive told Jerry Crasnick (ESPN.com) he could fare even better than that:

Look at some of the money that Cuban players have gotten, said the executive. What’s the difference here? I think somebody is going to bite, and he’ll get a contract for two years and $12 million, or three years and $15-18 million.

Rays interested in a reunion with the Lakeland Launcher, Steve Pearce

The Rays have shown interest in a reunion with UTL Steve Pearce, assuming he’s healthy, according to Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times).

Pearce fared well with his hometown team last season, slashing .309 BA/.388 OBP/.520 SLG/.908 OPS in 80+ games (232 plate appearances), while also providing some pretty nifty glove work at first base while Logan Morrison mended on the DL. With Brad Miller assuming first base going into Spring Training, Pearce could be a right-handed platoon option at first, while also slotting in at DH.

Pearce underwent successful elbow surgery in September, and is expected to be ready for the start of the 2017 regular season.

Adams and Dierkes projects Pearce to sign a two-year, $10-million deal. …Although that projection is with the Yankees.

A pitching trade still in play

Topkin noted too that a deal for a starting pitcher still is very much in play. While Chris Archer remains the most sought-after hurler, and Drew Smyly — who is projected to make $6.9-million in arbitration this winter — is the team’s preferred target, Jake Odorizzi is the most likely to get dealt. Jim Bowden (ESPN.com) concurs with that analysis. Then again, Bowden has cultivated quite a reputation as a shyster, so…

The Dodgers have reported interest in Logan Forsythe

Per Connor Byrne (MLB Trade Rumors), the Los Angeles Dodgers are interested in 2B Logan Forsythe, although it’s uncertain whether the Rays are open to dealing him.

Forsythe has established himself as a quality second baseman extending back to 2015. He’s batted .273 BA/.347 OBP/.444 SLG/.791 OPS with 37 home runs in 1,182 plate appearances since 2015, and stolen 15 bases. Forsythe also accrued a 6.8 fWAR during that span, placing him ninth among the league’s second basemen.

Rays trade Richie Shaffer and Taylor Motter to Seattle for three prospects

The Tampa Bay Rays traded Richie Shaffer and Taylor Motter to Seattle Friday night in a multi-player deal with Seattle. (Photo Credit: the Chicago Tribune)
The Tampa Bay Rays traded Richie Shaffer (pictured) and Taylor Motter to Seattle Friday night in a multi-player deal with Seattle. (Photo Credit: the Chicago Tribune)

The Tampa Bay Rays have traded 1B/3B Richie Shaffer and utility player Taylor Motter to the Mariners in exchange for three minor league prospects: 1B Dalton Kelly, and RHPs Andrew Kittredge and Dylan Thompson.

The move cleared two roster spots, allowing the team to add two prospects (LHP Jose Alvarado, RHP Hunter Wood) to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule-5 Draft in December — bringing the total number of prospects added in the last two days to eight.

It was the first deal made by new Rays senior VP of baseball operations and general manager Erik Neander, who was promoted to his current position on November 4.

Here’s information on the three prospects Tampa Bay received, none of which are MLB ready at the moment (Credit: Kyle Glaser of Baseball America):

Dalton Kelly

Kelly opened the 2015 season as UC Santa Barbara’s starting first baseman but had his season cut short by a fractured fibula in April. He still tied for the team lead in home runs when the season was out and had the most defensive chances in the Big West Conference without an error at the time he went down. That was enough for the Mariners to take him in the 38th round, and Kelly has rewarded them with strong performance on at the plate, in the field, and on the basepaths. He ranked among the Midwest League leaders in runs, doubles, total bases and OPS in his first full season, stole 21 bases, and posted a .991 fielding percentage. Kelly doesn’t have anything plus, but nothing below-average either, giving him a chance to rise as a solid, all-around first baseman.

Andrew Kittredge

Kittredge has taken the long path up the minors but is on the verge after posting a 3.55 ERA with 11.1 strikeouts-per-nine at Triple-A Tacoma last year. He was a late addition to the Arizona Fall League this month. Kittredge features a mid-90s fastball, mid-80s slider and mid-70s curveball and has steadily improved his control throughout his career, giving him a chance to make his major league debut as a middle reliever next season.

Fun fact: Kittredge once fanned five batters in one inning, and briefly pitched for Peoria in the Arizona Fall League in 2016 alongside the Rays’ AFL prospects.

Dylan Thompson

The Mariners drafted Thompson in the fourth round in 2015 and he showed well early, but his season ended prematurely when he returned home to be with his ailing father, who was battling cancer. He made only four starts in 2016 for the same reason and struggled with rust when he returned to the mound in August, but showed his promise when he drew the start in the clinching game of the Arizona League Championship Series and delivered four innings with only one hit and one run allowed. Thompson throws an 87-91 mph fastball, which he showed he could ramp up to 93 in high school, and his top pitch is a 74-79 mph curveball that was regarded as one of the best in the Mariners’ system. His changeup is currently below average but projects to average as he develops. He is a long-term project who has never pitched above Rookie League, but the Mariners believed he had a chance to develop into a back-of-the-rotation starter.

And now information on Shaffer and Motter, both of whom could land a spot on the big league squad in 2017 (Credit: John Manuel of Baseball America):

Richie Shaffer

A 25-year-old from Charlotte, Shaffer has shown more power than hitting ability as a pro with a .246/.333/.437 slash line in 501 minor league games. After hitting 30 homers between three stops in 2015, he regressed with his power production, hitting just 12 homers in 468 at-bats between Triple-A Durham and Tampa Bay. Shaffer has tinkered over his career with his leg kick and timing at the plate but hasn’t consistently solved having some length in his swing, which leads to swing-and-miss. He also struggled with getting too pull-happy at times this past season. He’s a below-average hitter for average at best, which keeps him from getting to his prodigious raw power. Defensively his best asset is a plus arm, but his modest short-area quickness and fringy speed make him below-average to fringy at challenging defensive spots like third base and right field. However, he’s a solid first baseman.

Taylor Motter

A college shortstop at Coastal Carolina, Motter had made just 50 starts at short over his previous five seasons with the Rays. Instead, he was being developed consistently as a utility player, starting at every position other than catcher and pitcher thanks to his plus arm strength and strong athletic ability. He played much more shortstop in 2016 than before and is capable there; right field might be his best spot thanks to his arm, but he’s capable virtually everywhere. He’s an average runner but has savvy on the bases, as well as enough power to punish mistakes. His bat regressed in 2016, but scouts who like him see him as a quality multi-position reserve.

Rays make initial offer on Jason Castro; pitching trade rumors

The Tampa Bay Rays have made an offer to free-agent catcher Jason Castro. (Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated)
The Tampa Bay Rays have made an offer to free-agent catcher Jason Castro. (Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated)

According to Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times), the Tampa Bay Rays have made an “initial” offer to free-agent C Jason Castro and are “right in the thick of things” among several teams, per agent Fred Wray of ISE Baseball. They also are reportedly listening to offers on a starter and All-Star reliever Alex Colome.

On Jason Castro

After playing six seasons with the Astros, and earning a reputation as a top pitch framer, Castro hit the free-agent market after Houston failed to tender a qualifying offer. The left-handed hitting catcher has been inconsistent offensively, slashing .210 BA/.307 OBP/.377 SLG/.684 OPS/88 wRC+ with 11 home runs over in 113 games last season. However, he could pair well with Curt Casali or Luke Maile — the Rays current catching contingent.

Castro was an All-Star in 2013, when he slashed .276 BA/.350 OBP/.485 SLG/.835 OPS with 18 homers and 56 RBI. He has not been nearly as productive since, hitting .215 while averaging 12 homers and 40 RBI since.

And while the Rays are “right in the thick of things,” there is competition for Castro among six other teams including the Astros, Twins, Braves, and White Sox.

After making $4-million in 2015, Castro made $5-million last season despite losing his arbitration case against the Astros. Per Topkin, reports suggest that he is seeking at least a three-year deal, while others propose that Castro will accept a two-year, $15 million deal (an average annual value of $7.5-million).

Rays listening to offers on a pair of pitchers

There’s an expectation among rival executives that the Rays will trade one of either Drew Smyly or Chris Archer this winter, writes Steve Adams (MLB Trade Rumors), who also asserted that a trade of closer Alex Colome could also be in the works.

Smyly is projected to earn $6.9-million this winter through the arbitration process, making him the likeliest trade candidate among the starters.

Colome is not yet eligible for arbitration, meaning he could net a sizable haul should Tampa Bay deal him. Be that as it may, the Rays don’t feel an urgency to move Colome, and there aren’t any specific clubs tied to him at the moment. El Caballo, who posted a sparkling 1.91 ERA in 56-2/3 innings last season, is projected to earn scarcely over the league minimum in 2017.

Noteworthiness

— Josh Morgan (DRaysBay) wrote an in depth piece on the potential trade of Alex Colome.

— According to MiLB Roster Tracker, the Rays have added six players to the 40-man roster: Willy Adames, Chih-Wei Hu, Austin Pruitt, Daniel Robertson, Jaime Schultz, Ryne Stanek.

After parting ways with catcher Bobby Wilson on Wednesday, the Rays had four open spots on the 40-man roster and needed to remove two other in order to make room for the above mentioned six. That was accomplished by the designation of Steve Geltz for assignment, and the release of the recently acquired John Lamb.

It is presumed that all six will start the upcoming season with Triple-A Durham, although it could be assumed that a few will make a bid for the big league squad in Spring Training.