With just one spot open on the 40-man roster, the Rays have plenty of options (and yes, money) to fill the final spot.
They won 90 games in 2018, folks.
In case you forgot, I figure it was worth reminding everyone.
Now that the 2018 MLB season is officially in the books, business can officially begin for a team now poised to make that next step into October.
How will it happen? How will it all come together? This weekend was a busy one for the Rays.
Three players were released ahead of the November 30th non-tender deadline this weekend. The Rays said goodbye to LHP Vidal Nuno and catchers Adam Moore and Jesus Sucre. Their arbitration list is now at just four.
Arb-eligible
1B/DH C.J. Cron – While I’m sure fans wouldn’t hate having the 30-HR slugging Cron back, the Rays may want someone with a more feared name hitting behind slugger Tommy Pham. For the first time in a long time, if ever, they just might have the budget to get said name (Cruz, Donaldson, McCutchen, anyone?). The other factor would be the Rays being 100% sure 1B Jake Bauers is ready for a full 162-game work load after struggling late in 2018.
OF Tommy Pham – According to mlbtradrumors.com, Pham is slated to make around $4M through arbitration. A price tag the Rays likely feel is a steal considering just a couple years ago Pham was getting MVP votes in the National League.
3B Matt Duffy – A case could be made that Duffy was the Rays most consistent hitter in 2018. He also played a solid third base and for the first time since 2015 was healthy. With plenty of infield options there is a chance he gets packaged into a trade to bring in that feared right-handed bat. If not, the $2.6M pay raise he’s projected to get in arbitration seems like a pretty good deal to stay in Tampa.
RHP Chaz Roe – He set career-highs across the board in 2018. That included appearing in 61 games for the Rays and using that dominating slider to get out of key jams throughout the year. He’s projected to make $1.4M in arbitration.
Welcome and welcome back!
On Thursday last week, the Rays claimed RHP Oliver Drake off waivers from the Twins. In parts of four seasons, Drake has a 4.59 ERA in 135 MLB games. The interesting thing about the 31-year old – he pitched for a MLB-record five different teams in 2018 (Brewers, Indians, Angels, Blue Jays, Twins).
Also adding to the 40-man are a few players coming off the 60-day DL.
Daniel Robertson and pitchers Jose De Leon, Wilmer Font, and Jose Mujica were all reinstated this weekend.
What’s next?
November 12-20 the 2018 awards are announced. LHP Blake Snell is the favorite to win the AL Cy Young while manager Kevin Cash is sure to be a finalist for Manager of the Year.
November 20th is the deadline to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft and add them to the 40-man.
November 30th is the non-tender deadline. Barring a trade before then, the Rays seem set to take the remaining four-men beyond said deadline.
December 9th-13th the Winter Meetings take place in Las Vegas.
December 13th is also the Rule 5 Draft.
Could that “big name” be a backstop?
Between now and January the Rays may look to bring in a veteran catcher to pair with Michael Perez. Names being tossed around are the return of Wilson Ramos or possibly Robinson Chirinos, a one-time Ray, who slugged 18 home runs with the Rangers in 2018. A trade possibility could be Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto. The 27-year old has control through 2021 and after hitting 21 home runs in Miami this season with an impressive .825 OPS, he’ll be due an upgrade from his $2.9M.
