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.
A reunion between the Astros and Jason Castro remains possible, source tells SB Nation. Astros plus five other teams are in the mix. 6 total
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) November 16, 2016
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.
#Rays purchased the contracts of Willy Adames, Chih-Wei Hu, Austin Pruitt, Daniel Robertson, Jaime Schultz, Ryne Stanek from minors.
— MiLB Roster Tracker (@MiLB_Tracker) November 18, 2016
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.