Hot-Stove: All Is (Kind of) Quiet on the Eastern Front

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.

Hot-Stove: The Rays Have Had Discussions with Colby Rasmus

By now you’ve heard the rumors, the Tampa Bay Rays have had discussions with free-agent outfielder Colby Rasmus. Jon Morosi was the first to break the news via Twitter, adding Tampa Bay could use Rasmus’ bat if they trade Ben Zobrist.

Silverman and Cash Head to San Diego For the Winter Meetings

With the start of the winter meetings Monday morning, the Tampa Bay Rays — bolstered by new manager Kevin Cash — are in San Diego where the arduous task of meeting with representatives from the other 29 teams to start, or continue, discussions on trades is under way. As a result of all the Rays’ off-season …

Hot-Stove: Kevin Cash Interviews, Baseball Prospectus Releases Prospect Rankings, Etc

A day after Don Wakamatsu kicked off the first of three final managerial interviews with the Rays (and a day after we re-posted an excellent profile of another managerial candidate), Indians bullpen coach Kevin Cash met with the front office brass this afternoon for his interview. Cash is a Tampa native and the second of three finalists to come in, with Raul Ibanez being the final managerial candidate to be interviewed.

Hot-Stove: Rays 40-Man Roster Moves Thread (Updated)

I wrote last night that the deadline to add players to the 40-man roster, in order to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft in December, is midnight tonight, November 20th. Six players were identified as possibilities to be cut loose in order to make room for prospects, among the 38 currently on the 40-man roster. I’ll be updating this as the roster moves are announced, keep checking back.