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Are the Tampa Bay Rays going ‘all in’ this season?

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The acquisition of Adeiny Hechavarria could signal that the Rays mean business this season. (Photo Credit: ESPN.com)

Think back to the 2015 trade deadline, when the Tampa Bay Rays were just three-games back in the AL East. Toronto made a pair of big acquisitions, trading both for David Price and Troy Tulowitzki. The Rays, on the other hand, traded away Kevin Jepsen and made no other real moves to improve on the then 51-52 ball club.

Because of it, Chris Archer was very critical of the front office for not going all in, first tweeting:

Archer later told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times):

I’m speaking for our clubhouse when I say this, WE are hoping and confident that the areas of need will be addressed in the coming hours so that we can stay competitive not just in September but through the month of October as well … Other teams have, and I hope that motivates not only the players to give it all they have but the management as well.

The comments were not composed of random words that were thoughtlessly strung together, rather they were premeditated. He spoke for the team, which means they were based on conversations he’d had with other players in the clubhouse, and in the end Archer articulated the thoughts and feelings not only of the 2015 squad, but of us Rays fans.

Fast forward to the present. The front office has made a pair of moves to address some of the Rays needs with the additions of Adeiny Hechavarria and Trevor Plouffe. And while we are still a month away from the 2017 trade deadline, the acquisitions should signal several things — none of which being that the team is content with the status quo.

The Rays believe they have a horse in the race

While injuries abound, and they haven’t completely addressed the bullpen yet, all of the teams in the AL East are formidable and flawed. Even with the most DL days in the American League, Tampa Bay is in a good spot.

The Rays added two players in the month of June, and with them more than three million dollars in salary. That’s not something they typically do. It bears mentioning, between the 2008 and 2013 seasons — when the Rays went to the playoffs four times — they weren’t this aggressive before the trade deadline. That should energize the clubhouse because, it shows the front office believes the time to win the division is now.

The front office felt they needed to shore up the defense at short

This isn’t a knock on Tim Beckham, who has performed well above expectation this season, nor is it a knock on Daniel Robertson, who was optioned back to Triple-A Durham. But, unfortunately, Beckham has been slowed by a couple of injuries over the last few weeks, with a sore knee and a hit-by-pitch wrist. A need became apparent, and an elite level defensive shortstop popped up on the market. Enter Adeiny.

Hechavarria posted excellent defensive marks at short from 2015-2016, grading out at +18 Defensive Runs Saved and a +24.1 Ultimate Zone Rating, while accruing a +3.1 fWAR. In fact, from 2015 and 2016, he was fourth in the majors in DRS, trailing only Francisco Lindor, Brandon Crawford and Andrelton Simmons.

In the words of Neil Solondz,

…adding a premier defender can help reduce the number of outs the staff has to earn. A hit can become an out, a single out can become two. That helps the confidence and conviction with which your pitchers throw.

If they felt they needed to address one area of concern, they likely would address others.

They have started to address the beleaguered bullpen

Tampa Bay moved Blake Snell back into the starting rotation so Erasmo Ramirez could return to — and bolster — the ‘pen. Brad Boxberger should return this week and he, ideally, will also reinforce the relief staff. And even though bullpen pieces are usually more costly at the deadline, the Rays will likely explore the possibilities and add on.

What shouldn’t go unnoticed, Tampa Bay seemed to be closing in on a cheaper power arm with some team control, although that did not materialize in the deal for Hechavarria. Still, there is plenty of time to add an outside arm.

In conclusion

The Durham shuttle has chugged along all season long as Kevin Cash (and company) sought ways to patch holes, and solidify the team they view as a contender. However, when outside opportunities have presented themselves, the front office has jumped at the chance to better the team. That, in and of itself, should be telling — the Rays want to win. With this in mind, I cannot see why they wouldn’t continue making moves into the trade deadline. Because of it there is a tacit, underlying message: the Rays are all in.

The New What Next: Rays vs Pirates — a series preview

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Adeiny Hechavarria is expected to join the Rays in Pittsburgh this week. (Photo Credit: CBS Sports)

Following a disappointing series loss against the Orioles, the Tampa Bay Rays departed from the Sunshine State and hit the road for an eight-game, nine-day road trip. On Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Rays will play the first of three games against the sub .500 Pittsburg Pirates at PNC Park, in Pittsburgh.

(Stats: ESPN)

Tampa Bay dropped two straight to a struggling Baltimore team to lose their first series since the start of June. They let a late 5-4 lead slip away on Sunday, as the bullpen once again collapsed. Alex Colome (1-3) ultimately took the loss after he allowed three uncharacteristic runs on two hits and two walks, while striking out just one in one inning of work. Still, Tampa Bay starts the series three-games behind the Yankees and Red Sox, who are in a virtual tie for first place in the AL East.

The Rays acquired Adeiny Hechevarria from the Marlins on Monday, giving them an elite glove at shortstop. He won’t do much at the plate, however, Hechevarria will shore up the defense up the middle. He is expected to join the team on the road in Pittsburgh.

Meanwhile, the Pirates missed a chance to sweep St. Louis and fell five games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central. In the series finale, Pittsburgh led 4-2 they gave up two runs in the sixth and four in the seventh. Juan Nicasio (1-4) took the loss after he allowed four of those runs (three earned) on one hit and two walks in one-third of an inning. The Pirates are limited by the PED suspension of Starling Marte, and injuries to Antonio Bastardo and Francisco Cervelli — the latter of which is dealing with the lingering symptoms of a concussion. On Thursday, the team put Cervelli back on the DL, where he’ll likely remain for the duration of this series.

The Rays are 5-1 in their last six interleague road games overall, and 4-0 in their last four interleague road games against a team with a losing record. On the flip side, the Pirates are 0-4 in their last four interleague games against a right-handed starter — of which they’ll face two over the life of the series.

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Kevin Cash will lean on Alex Cobb (6-5, 4.05 ERA, 4.15 FIP), Blake Snell (with AAA 5-0, 2.66 ERA, 3.09 FIP), and Chris Archer (6-4, 3.88 ERA, 2.89 FIP) over the next three days. Clint Hurdle will counter with Trevor Williams (2-2, 5.01 ERA, 4.11 FIP), Ivan Nova (7-5, 3.06 ERA, 3.79 FIP), and Jameson Taillon (3-2, 3.33 ERA, 3.79 FIP).

(Credit: FanGraphs)

Pitching Matchups

Cobb delivered his third consecutive quality start (the seventh in his last 10 games) in a 6-5 win over the Reds, on Tuesday. The right-hander threw seven innings of two run ball, notching six strikeouts. It was his second straight outing of more than 110 pitches. For what it’s worth, Cobb has gotten more comfortable with his changeup of late, and it’s regained some of its pre-surgery depth; the thing that made it such a dangerous weapon in the first place. He has shaved two-to-three inches of vertical movement off the pitch since the start of the season. For Cobb, the velocity never has been what’s made the pitch deadly, rather it is the movement. Bereft of the late break, his split-change became a meatball over the plate that begged to be crushed.

Williams struck out a career-high seven batters, while allowing three runs over six innings against the Brewers. Since moving from the bullpen, he has pitched into the sixth inning in five of his nine starts. He, however, has a 5.34 ERA at home this season, and a 5.09 through 58-1/3 innings overall. Why the inflated peripherals? Williams has allowed hitters to elevate, and has stranded just 63.2% of baserunners this season. That bodes well for a Rays team that’s shown the ability to string together some hits and knock the ball out of the park.

Snell rejoins the rotation after making adjustments at Triple-A Durham, where he posted a pristine 5-0 record. Something clicked with the southpaw, and he struck out 61 over 44 innings to pair with a 2.66 ERA/3.10 FIP in Durham — this, after fanning 34 in 42 innings with a 6.00 ERA with the Rays. He pitched into the seventh inning in all but two of those starts.

Nova allowed four runs on 11 hits over seven innings against the Brewers on Thursday. He has thrown at least six innings in each of his 15 starts this season. The 30 year-old right-hander owns a 2.53 ERA in seven home outings this year, partially because of his impeccable control this season. He’s walked a paltry 11 batters over 103-2/3 innings of work this season, but due to all that strike throwing, he has been known to allow the long-ball. Nova is 8-7 with a 3.95 ERA in 16 starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: Peter Bourjos (5-11, HR, 2 RBI), Corey Dickerson (1-4, HR, 2 RBI), Evan Longoria (11-38, 2 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 4 BB), Wilson Ramos (1-3)

Archer received plenty of run support in a 15-5 win over the Orioles, which is good because he wasn’t particularly great. Archer gave up five runs (four earned) on seven hits over six innings on Friday. He also fanned a season-low four batters. The Rays hope their ace can bounce back in the series finale on Thursday.

Taillon hurled six strong innings and struck out seven on Friday, holding the Cardinals to two runs on four hits. This season Taillon has relied upon a mid-90s fastball (both two and four seam), and an upper 80s changeup. The 25 year-old right-hander isn’t a strikeout machine, rather he gets by by coaxing ground balls and slowing down the pace of the game if/when runners get aboard. That approach has its virtues and disadvantages, as Taillon has posted three starts without an earned run, and three starts with at least four. Key Matchup: Adeiny Hechavarria (1-2)

Noteworthiness

— Brad Boxberger will make another rehab appearance for the Stone Crabs Tuesday night. Boxberger had oblique tightness after his last appearance for the Durham Bulls and was not activated over the weekend as expected. If all goes well, he could be activated during this series.

Tampa Bay Rays to acquire SS Adeiny Hechavarria from the Miami Marlins

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The Tampa Bay Rays are actively pursuing a deal with the Miami Marlins for SS Adeiny Hechavarria. (Photo Credit: Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire)

6:00 PM Update: The Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins have reportedly agreed to a deal that will send shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria from Miami to Tampa Bay in exchange for a pair of prospects — minor league outfielder Braxton Lee and minor league right-hander Ethan Clark. The Rays will take on the balance of Hechavarria’s remaining salary.

Joe Frisaro (MLB.com) was the first to report that Tampa Bay had become the frontrunner for the middle infielder on Monday morning.

Hechavarria isn’t well known for his bat — owning a career .255 batting average along with 15 home runs, 183 RBI and a .291 OBP — rather he is a defensive specialist at shortstop, who is currently in line to earn $2-million for the remainder of the 2017 season ($4.35-million overall).

Hechavarria posted excellent defensive marks at short from 2015-2016, grading out at +18 Defensive Runs Saved and a +24.1 Ultimate Zone Rating, while accruing a +3.1 fWAR. He, however, has been hampered by an oblique strain this season, limiting him to just 20 games in 2017, and is currently rehabbing from his second bout with the injury.

It isn’t entirely clear how Hechavarria will fit into the Rays long-term plans. While he looks like the clear favorite to play shortstop until Matt Duffy returns from the DL, Tampa Bay will need to decide what to do with the combination of Tim Backham, Daniel Robertson, Taylor Featherston and Brad Miller — the latter of whom was the primary second baseman prior to getting injured. It should be noted that both Featherston and Robertson have options remaining, but Beckham does not, and a timetable for Miller’s return has yet to be announced.

Jerry Crasnick (ESPN) reported earlier that if the Rays were to take on all of Hechavarria’s remaining salary, they also wanted the  inclusion of a cheaper power arm with some team control to help facilitate the deal. Crasnick opines that Kyle Barraclough would fit that bill, although the Rays have not actually singled Barraclough out as a target. That rumor, however, has not gained further traction.

Hechavarria has one year remaining on his contract through salary arbitration, and will be a free agent in 2019.

As for the prospects Miami is to receive in return, per DRaysBay:

Lee has prodigious defense, typical of what the Rays have shown they value in previous success stories like Kevin Kiermaier or Andrew Toles, but would have been Rule 5 eligible in 2018. Given the Rays glut of outfielders, he would have found difficulty making the 40-man roster next season.

Clark is a 22-year old pitcher in Class A that has yet to replicate his great groundball rates from his two seasons in rookie ball in the Rays system. A 15th round selection from 2015, he is not dedicated to starting or relief at this time.

Neither player was featured on a top-30 prospect list this off-season.

LBWMF: Rays fall to the Orioles, 8-3; Blake Snell to be recalled

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The Buffalo didn’t fare as well as he could have in his debut, going 1-4 with a strikeout. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Jake Faria put together a fourth consecutive quality start on Saturday for the Tampa Bay Rays, however, the bullpen allowed four runs to break open a tie game in the seventh. The Rays saw their three-game win streak come to an end with an 8–3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

Baltimore took an early three-run lead against Faria, who hadn’t allowed more than a run in his first three big league starts. Trey Mancini was hit by an 0–2 pitch in the second, then Wellington Castillo followed with a homer to left on a hanging 3–2 slider. It was the first homer Faria allowed this season (the first of two on the day). The Orioles extended the lead in the third on a two-out solo homer off the bat of Adam Jones, which eluded the leaping Mallex Smith.

Yet Faria followed with three scoreless innings, keeping the Rays in the game. Granted he was not as sharp as he had been his first three starts, however, a 1.35 ERA and 1.04 FIP aren’t sustainable over the long-term. And while his command wasn’t as crisp as it had been, it wasn’t terrible. In the end, he was undone by a hit batsman and a pair of long-balls on two mistake pitches. All told, Faria posted his fourth consecutive quality start on the back of a 6 IP/5 H/3 ER/1 BB/108 pitch (74 strikes) line. If that constitutes a bad start, I’ll gladly take it.

The Rays were able to come back from the deficit to tie the contest in the third. Mallex Smith got things started by earning a two out free pass against Dylan Bundy, and Corey Dickerson drilled the next pitch over the wall in right — just to the right of the Dan Johnson Game 162 commemorative seat — his 17th homer of the season.

Evan Longoria followed with a homer to right-center on the very next pitch — his 11th homer of the season.

Longoria’s solo home run

Evan Longoria belts a solo shot to right field immediately after Corey Dickerson crushes a homer of his own, tying the game at 3

It was the 10th time this season the Rays hit back-to-back homers, setting a new club record.

Yet Bundy kept the Rays in check from there, allowing just two additional walks and a hit. He went seven innings and gave up three runs on five hits, while walking four and fanning eight. The Orioles ended their MLB record tying streak of having allowed five runs or more in 20 Consecutive games (Philadelphia 1924).

Jose Alvarado took over in the seventh and walked Seth Smith to start the frame, after falling behind 3–2. With only righties remaining in the lineup, Kevin Cash called upon Jumbo Diaz — who has the stuff, but not the consistency.

Manny Machado laid down a beautifully placed bunt single up the left side on the first pitch. After Jonathan Schoop struck out, both runners moved into scoring position on Adam Jones’ groundout to second. With two out, Mark Trumbo worked the count full before hitting a 3–2 hanging slider to left-center for a double, putting Baltimore back in front at 5–3. Mancini followed by sending a first-pitch fastball into the right field seats, capping the rally. The Rays began the bottom of the frame down by four, and the damage had been done on just four pitches.

Baltimore added an insurance run in the top of the eighth, off Diaz, by collecting a pair of bunt singles, before Machado drove home Joey Rickard on a sacrifice fly to deep center.

The New What Next

The Rays will look for meatloaf in the series finale Sunday afternoon. Jake Odorizzi (4-3, 3.78 ERA, 5.34 FIP) gets the start, opposite of Chris Tillman (1-5, 8.39 ERA, 6.52 FIP). Tampa Bay has won seven straight rubber matches, and is 8–1–3 over the team’s last 12 series.

Odorizzi equaled a season high in his seven inning start against Cincinnati his last time out. He, however, continued his stretch of games, where he allowed at least a homer to 10 games straight — one shy of a franchise record. The right-hander cruised through the first four innings, yet a solo home run by Scott Schebler in the fifth inning and a two-run shot from Scooter Gennett in the sixth left the Rays down by three when he departed after the seventh. Still, the right-hander delivered his second quality start in the last three outings and holds a respectable 3.78 ERA (but a bloated 5.34 FIP) for the season.

Tillman hasn’t earned a win since May 7, his first start of the season. The right-hander was pulled after he allowed five earned runs over four innings against Cleveland on Tuesday. After missing the first month of the season due to a shoulder issue, and then tossing five pristine innings in his 2017 debut, Tillman’s been nothing short of a dumpster fire. His ERA now stands at 8.39, and the only thing that’s kept him in the rotation is a lack of alternatives within the organization. The Rays have handed him a career 8-11 record and a 4.11 ERA in 25 starts. Key Matchups: Tim Beckham (1-4, RBI, BB), Peter Bourjos (1-2), Evan Longoria (19-63, 4 2B, 3B, 8 HR, 11 RBI, 5 BB), Logan Morrison (6-14, 2B, 3B, RBI, BB), Wilson Ramos (3-11, 2B, RBI, BB), Steven Souza Jr. (6-20, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 3 BB)

You can read more about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 6/25/17 Starting Lineup

Smith CF
Dickerson LF
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Souza RF
Plouffe DH
Robertson SS
Featherston 2B
Sucre C
Odorizzi RHP

Noteworthiness

— Kevin Cash announced that LHP Blake Snell will again be promoted from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, while RHP Erasmo Ramirez will return to the bullpen, effective immediately — citing the need for a way to get the ball to Alex Colome.

The Rays will make a corresponding move Wednesday.

Snell has been great since being optioned back to Durham on May 13. In seven starts with the Bulls, the southpaw has hurled 44 innings of 2.66 ERA/3.07 FIP baseball, while striking out 61 and walking 15 — that’s effectively a 4-to-1 K/BB if you’re keeping track. He’s thrown at least six innings in five of those seven starts.

Ramirez, reportedly, was not pleased by the decision and declined to talk about the move this morning with the media.

Rays to activate Wilson Ramos and DFA Derek Norris; Matt Duffy update

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The Tampa Bay Rays bolstered their already potent lineup by activating C Wilson Ramos following Friday night’s 15-5 blowout of the Orioles. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

The Tampa Bay Rays will bolster an already potent lineup this afternoon by activating catcher Wilson Ramos from the 60-day DL.

To clear space on the roster for Ramos, the Rays announced they will designate catcher Derek Norris for assignment.

Ramos signed an incentive-laden deal with Tampa Bay last December, in spite of a right knee injury that he suffered while playing for the Nationals. The team knew he would miss the bulk of the first half while completing the rehabilitation of a torn ACL.

I feel so comfortable, really good moving behind the plate, Ramos told the Tampa Bay Times. Right now I feel very good and ready to play, ready to get activated.

If Ramos can produce anything close to what he did last season — slashing .307 BA/.354 OBP/.496 SLG/.850 OPS with 22 home runs in 523 plate appearances — he’ll bolster a potent lineup that’s already on pace to hit 252 homers and score 800 runs. With Tampa Bay in a fairly solid position to contend for a postseason berth, Ramos may deliver a significant boost in advance of the trade deadline, allowing the Rays to instead look for relief help.

Norris, 28, was added just before the start of the season after he was released by the Nationals. And while he helped to bridge the gap between the start of the season and the return of Ramos, he struggled both at and behind the plate (six passed balls, six errors).

To his credit, Norris ended his tenure with the Rays with a bang, by hitting a second inning double and his ninth homer in last night’s 15-5 blowout against the Orioles, yet that capped a 9-for-63 skid at the plate. Overall, Norris has managed just a .188 BA/.242 OBP/.347 SLG/.769 OPS line in 198 plate appearances on the season. Still, given his past success at the plate and pitch-framing reputation, he figures to draw plenty of interest elsewhere.

In doing so, Jesus Sucre will stay aboard as the backup catcher, as he gives the team better defense overall, can shut down the running game, hits well with runners in scoring position and works well with the Rays’ pitching staff. Per Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) Sucre is likely to get the bulk of catching duties initially until the Rays are comfortable playing Ramos behind the plate for multiple games.

Matt Duffy update

Matt Duffy, who has yet to complete the rehab assignment he started with the Class-A Charlotte Stone Crabs in early May, traveled to Charlotte N.C. this week for an examination by Dr. Bob Anderson — the orthopedic surgeon who operated on Duffy’s heal on September 9, 2016. Anderson removed a pea-sized calcium deposit that is thought to be the root of Duffy’s chronic irritation.

We’re hoping that that is what’s been causing all the irritation, Cash said, because it was taken right from the spot where he gets most of this pain.

Cash told the Tampa Bay Times that Duffy will resume his baseball activities once his stitches heal. Duffy missed all of spring training because of the lingering issue, though it’s thought the team might be able to accelerate the shortstop’s return, since he has been working out with the team at Tropicana Field.

We’re being cautiously optimistic about that, Cash said.

Note: we are still awaiting the news of the return of Brad Boxberger. Once that breaks I will either update this piece, or write a different one.