Is Kevin Jepsen still on the trade bubble? Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) seems to think so. (Photo Credit: USA Today Sports)
Is Kevin Jepsen still on the trade bubble? Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) seems to think so. (Photo Credit: USA Today Sports)

Today is the day: the MLB non-waiver trade deadline comes to pass at 4:00 PM this afternoon. The Tampa Bay Rays already dealt OF/DH David DeJesus to the Angels for a Double-A prospect ― a move that was necessary in light of the team’s current (and future) roster jam. The question begs, what other moves might  Matt Silverman make?

As of 11:52 AM, no further moves have been made. That said, this piece is an open thread to document any rumors and moves leading up to the four-o-clock hour.

8:56 AM — Chris Cotillo (SB Nation) tweeted as of yesterday, the Dodgers, Giants, and Diamond Backs had interest in Nathan Karns:

Jon Heyman (CBS Sports) responded to Cotillo:

9:00 AM — Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) wrote a piece where he opines that Kevin Jepsen is the most likely (if any) to be dealt by the deadline:

10:00 AM — Cotillo noted the interest in Brad Boxberger, Jake McGee, and Jepsen by the Houston Astros:

11:00 AM — DRaysBay posts trade deadline open thread piece:

11:21 AM — Per Topkin, all is still quiet on the trade front:

12:46 PM — The Orioles traded Zach Davies to the Milwaukee Brewers for Gerardo Parra. The Jays and O’s made their big moves; is it time for the Rays to do the same?

1:15 PM — It might be wise to not expect a big, lumbering power bat in return for Jepsen.

1:53 PM — Cotillo confirmed the Twins have an interest in Jepsen, and are in talks with the Rays, although the Mariners seem to be in hot pursuit as well:

1:57 PM — Per Rosenthal, Jepsen appears to be headed to Minnesota:

Cotillo concurs, although there has been no confirmation from Topkin or the team:

2:00 PM — And here’s your confirmation from Topkin:

In return, Tampa Bay will receive two low level minor league relievers.

Despite culling a 2.81 ERA, Jepsen’s K/9 is way down from 2014 (7.34) and his walks are up at 4.32 BB/9.

The reliever is reaching his final year of arbitration (2016), and is projected to receive a significant pay increase, somewhere in the ballpark of $5MM next season. For now, the trade frees up money to retain Jake McGee and Brad Boxberger, who are expected to remain in a Rays uniform.

2:28 PM — Cotillo made mention the two relievers the Rays will get in return:

RHP Chih-Wei Hu is 5-3 with a 2.44 ERA at Class-A Fort Myers. Tapia was 1-2 with a 3.60 ERA at rookie level and A ball for the Twins.

3:22 PM — Some peripherals on the Rays’ newest acquisitions:

 

The team also recalled Kirby Yates from Triple-A Durham Bull to take Jepsen’s place on the active roster. How long he lasts with the big league squad is dependent upon how well he pitches. Personally, I’d like to have seen Andrew Bellatti or Matt Andriese recalled.

It should go without saying, the loss of a good teammate, no matter how well he performs, does impact the other players on the roster:

3:34 PM — Jepsen also talked about the impact with Topkin:

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