According to Marc Lancaster, Rays’ executive VP Andrew Friedman don’t have any players who are 100% untouchable. It’s just that a team would have to offer a package the Rays consider superior to Delmon Young, Scott Kazmir, or Carl Crawford. Not likely. (Though there is informed speculation that the Twins inquired on Young recently).
One Ray who might come at a more reasonable price is Rocco Baldelli. The guy just can’t stay healthy; Rays doctors are running all sorts of tests on him to figure it out. There’s no time like the present to buy low on the potential All-Star. Aside from the aforementioned Nationals (how about for Chad Cordero or Jon Rauch?), the Twins are rumored to be interested. The Twins have the young hurlers the Rays crave. In my opinion, a Baldelli/Boof Bonser swap might be fair. Hey, remember when the Rays were going to get Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Yunel Escobar, and Kyle Davies for Baldelli? Damn.
The Rays continue to seek a defensive-minded shortstop and bullpen help, Lancaster says. Cesar Izturis and Kazuo Fukumori might be two free agents who fit the bill.
