A fair amount of the team’s shakiness rests on the shoulders of the relievers, who have slashed a combined 4.56 ERA/4.59 FIP/4.29 xFIP/68.5% LOB/-0.6 WAR over the last 30 days. In short, when the team takes a lead, the relief staff hasn’t been able to hold it. One things is certain, something has to be done soon, like now — be that designating a player like Brandon Gomes, or trading at the deadline — if Tampa Bay has any hope of playing relevant baseball in September.
Principal owner Stu Sternberg went as far as to squash any trade rumors, saying:
People say, ‘Buyer? Seller?’ It will be no different than we’ve done in years past. I think we’re in almost precisely the same spot we’ve been in every year since ’08. Which is, we’re close, we feel we have a really good team. We’d like to see our team on the field all at once. And we’ll try to be opportunistic.
However, Chris Cotillo (SB Nation) mirrored the comments of Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) for the potential of a trade, writing:
If the Rays are willing to sell, the veterans who are the most likely to be moved are David DeJesus, John Jaso and Kevin Jepsen, according to a source. Multiple teams have reached out with interest in the team’s controllable starters (Nathan Karns, Erasmo Ramirez and Alex Colome) and relievers (Brad Boxberger and Jake McGee), though the Rays would have to be overwhelmed to part with any of those arms.
A roster move here, and a trade there, could go a long way in shoring up the roster. Let’s look take a look at those potential moves.
Designate Brandon Gomes For Assignment
Brandon Gomes is on the roster for one reason, he is out of options and the Rays don’t want to risk losing him on the waiver wire. Gomes has been up and down with the team over the past few seasons, showing glimpses of being a lockdown reliever. Yet those glimpses of mastery have been overshadowed by some gaudy numbers of late — Gomes has allowed 13 runs, including four homers, in 16 innings since May 25.
Andrew Bellatti would likely take the spot on the roster, although Matt Andriese, Enny Romero or Kirby Yates would also be suitable replacements. Bellatti’s plus slider should have been back with the major league club yesterday, although the same could be said for a healthy Yates, Romero or Andriese. And while Bellatti has posted an excellent 2-0 record and a 1.50 ERA/4.33 FIP/22.0 K%/12 IP line with the big league squad this season, at Durham he sits while Gomes continues to waste major league opportunities.
Boxberger, McGee, and Jepsen
First and foremost, the likelihood of a Nathan Karns or Erasmo Ramirez trade is slim. Both have proven to be integral to the rotation, and both are cheap and team controlled. Alex Colome is also cheap and team controlled, however, moving him in some capacity would open a spot for Ramirez in the bullpen upon the return of Drew Smyly in August.
Brad Boxberger has 24 saves thus far, and is likely to be the most sought after. Because of it, he would likely have the highest price tag. Boxberger will get a slight raise from his $521,400 salary next season before arbitration eligibility in 2017.
As Topkin asserted, “Jake McGee also will be a popular subject of conversation, given his overpowering fastball and impressive work since returning from elbow surgery, including 20 straight scoreless outings and a 1.19 ERA.” McGee is in line for a raise from $3.55 million to in excess of $5 million next season — pricey by Rays standards. The lefty is under team control until 2018.
According to DRaysBay, Boxberger and McGee would command a huge return, with research showing the Rays could expect a return of a prospect ranked in the 11-50 range on industry lists. That’s a great return! It makes sense you would listen for those offers to come through. However, neither Jake nor the Box are likely to go anywhere. The same cannot be said for Jepsen.
Acquired for Matt Joyce from the Angels in December, Jepsen has posted a solid 2.88 ERA (4.12 FIP) and five saves in high leverage duty. On the contrary, he has walked over four batters per nine innings. Jepsen is expected to earn more than $5MM in arbitration next season after making $3,025,000, and is eligible for free agency in 2017.
Dealing Jepsen at the deadline would allow the team to command a higher return than in the off-season, and would also open a spot in the ‘pen for Yates, Romero, Andriese, Bellatti or Riefenhauser.
DeJesus and Jaso
DeJesus, who has been trade fodder in the past, is the most obvious candidate. Despite cooling off with the progression of the season, DDJ can still provide a good boost to a contending team as a fourth outfielder/part time DH. His current contract runs out at the season, although there is a $5MM club option that Tampa Bay would likely decline.
Tampa Bay traded for Jaso last offseason, and he’s going to be a free agent at the end of this season. Still if there is a hope of the dreaded one giving the team a hometown discount next season, I’d imagine the Rays would be inclined to re-sign him to a short-term contract in the very least. ZiPS projects Jaso to outperform DeJesus over the duration of the season — .263 BA/.355 OBP/.409 SLG/.764 OPS vs. .245 BA/.323 OBP/.372/.695 OPS — therefore if Tampa Bay trading Jaso might not be the wisest of choices for Matt Silverman, especially if it hopes to contend. Then again, he’s been on fire since his return from the DL, so selling high seems like a good idea if the Rays don’t see themselves as contenders.
Unless the team is able to acquire a power bat in return (pipe down those of you who think Yoenis Cespedes would fit in Tampa Bay), the Rays could promote a player or two within the organization, and the most logical candidates would be INF Richie Shaffer and 1B/C JP Arencebia.
Shaffer has hit 23 home runs in the minors, though since his experience is limited to first and third, he’d likely be a DH candidate in the least, or a right-handed platoon candidate with James Loney at most. Unless the brain-trust is willing to part ways with either Loney or John Jaso, I have my doubts this idea would gain traction
Arencebia also has 20 homers, which compliment his 42 runs and 47 RBI nicely. However, his overall .223 BA/.254 OBP/.464 SLG/.323 OPS line doesn’t look too appealing.
Noteworthiness
— According to Topkin, four teams — Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays and the Texas Rangers — match-up with the Rays, and have engaged and/or scouted the players on the trade bubble mentioned above.