Headlines

  • Brewers’ Aaron Civale Requests Trade
  • Angels To Promote Christian Moore
  • Brewers Promote Jacob Misiorowski
  • Red Sox Acquire Jorge Alcala
  • Jackson Jobe To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
  • Shane McClanahan Pauses Rehab, Seeking Further Opinions On Nerve Issue
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2025
    • Free Agent Contest Leaderboard
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Silverman: Rays “Hellbent” On Return To Contention

By Jeff Todd | October 4, 2016 at 12:30pm CDT

The Rays are surely happy to put the 2016 season in the rearview mirror after ending up buried in the AL East basement. President of baseball operations Matt Silverman and manager Kevin Cash addressed the club’s situation heading into the offseason today, as Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

First and foremost, Silverman stressed that the club is “hellbent” on a return to contention, suggesting that a broad-based sell-off should not be expected. Tampa Bay dealt Matt Moore and Steve Pearce at the trade deadline, but the former was shipped from a position of depth while the latter was on a one-year deal.

Plus, the Moore swap brought in Matt Duffy, who the club hopes will solidify things at shortstop. His presence also allows the organization to utilize Brad Miller at first (or in a broader utility role), which Silverman suggested could be positive in several regards (via Topkin, on Twitter).

Silverman suggested that the club will need to balance its commitment to its core with the need to infuse some new blood. “We have a lot of the guys in house, but we’re going to need to make some changes and we’re going to need to bring in some new players, too,” he said. “The core is intact, the core is talented, and if you listen to the players talk, if you listen to Kevin and the coaches, they will tell you, too. There is still a lot of confidence, there is still a lot of optimism within our clubhouse, and that bodes well for next year.”

The two key organizational figures didn’t cite any major needs, which is a good thing given the team’s resource restraints. Improving the bullpen is one obvious area, and Cash also cited a desire to do a better job running the bases. Then, there’s the catching position, which Silverman acknowledged has been a “sore spot,” as Topkin further tweets.

It’ll certainly be interesting to see whether Silverman and co. can come up with any other creative options over the winter. As I wrote in breaking down three key needs for the club, there’s not only room to improve behind the plate and in the pen, but also perhaps an opportunity to add some offensive firepower. Looking to players like Corey Dickerson and Steven Souza to improve is obviously the key, but that doesn’t mean more can’t be done. What remains to be seen is whether the rotation-rich Rays will be willing to dip into the reservoir of starters once again after dealing Moore at the deadline. It is clear, though, that there’ll be interest from other teams; Silverman says he has already received calls on starting pitching, as Topkin tweets.

Share 0 Retweet 1 Send via email0

Tampa Bay Rays

Royals Expect To Deal With Payroll Constraints In 2017
Main
MLBTR Live Chat: 10/4/16
View Comments (18)
Post a Comment

18 Comments

  1. NL_East_Rivalry

    9 years ago

    Poll: which losing record team most likely makes it to the post season next year

    Reply
    • DannyQ3913

      9 years ago

      Pirates

      Reply
    • trolofson

      9 years ago

      Phillies look close enough and could make noise.

      Reply
    • start_wearing_purple

      9 years ago

      If they don’t do a tear down and rebuild, White Sox.

      Reply
      • jd396

        9 years ago

        Okay Kenny, get back to work.

        Reply
    • Dock_Elvis

      9 years ago

      Pirates, they underplayed in 16, but I’ll say a real darkhorse is Colorado. The offense is there, and if their young pitching can become league average they’ll be dangerous.

      Hard to picture many other teams taking that big of a jump. Theres a few that underplayed like the White Sox and Royals….Royals were at .500 even.

      Reply
    • dwhitt3

      9 years ago

      Marlins

      Reply
      • theo2016

        9 years ago

        Unfortunately without jose that’s not likely. His death was the real tragedy, but it does also set them back years in terms of competitiveness.

        Reply
    • southi

      9 years ago

      The Pirates and the Rockies would be my first two picks for teams that had a losing record in 2016 that most likely make it to the playoffs in 2017.

      Reply
  2. Milo Goes To College

    9 years ago

    If Rays ownership is hellbent on contending, removing the “devil” from the equation wasn’t the wisest decision.

    Reply
    • Ungerdog

      9 years ago

      I hung out with the descendents years ago at their hotel…Milo knows his shite – he definitely paid attention.

      Reply
  3. southi

    9 years ago

    If ‘contention’ means a record around .500 with a ceiling of around 85 wins then I can see that IF a lot of things go right for the Rays. But in all honesty I think it is going to be difficult for them to compete in 2017 against the rest of the AL East. There will be some turnover in players on the O’s and the Jays, but the Yankees could very well be better and the Red Sox look tough for next year too. The Rays don’t have a ton of ready for the majors prospects and we all know they are one of the lowest budget teams.

    Reply
    • Doc Halladay

      9 years ago

      The East seems fairly wide open for next year. Jays have questions about the offense especially if they lose Bautista and Edwin. The O’s have concerns in the rotation and could lose their big bat in Trumbo. The Yanks are a complete wild card. Even the Red Sox, who are the safest bet in my opinion have questions about the rotation and who replaces Papi(not so much production but leadership). If the Rays can pull off some savvy moves(ie find a good catcher) and get some good fortune, they could be right in it next year.

      Reply
      • ducksnort69

        9 years ago

        A ton of “ifs” and while Silverman has did well getting Miller, he also traded Turner/Ross for an average right fielder that does not overcome his strike out rate, implemented a failed “starters don’t go through the order more than twice” policy. 2 years of garbage bullpen. Etc… Captains don’t enlist confidence like they used to.

        Reply
  4. ducksnort69

    9 years ago

    A new manager would be an excellent 1st step.

    Reply
  5. NineChampionsips

    9 years ago

    They really should go all in on a rebuild. Teams like the Angels and White Sox have proven that trying to tip toe between contention and rebuilding just leaves you in the middle. The Rays could accumulate an enormous amount of talent if they unloaded Archer, Cobb, Odorizzi, Smily and Kiermaier. 2-4 blue chip prospects a piece for those guys and you unleash them all in 2-3 years tops.

    Reply
    • McGlynnandjuice

      9 years ago

      I feel like that’s the only option for them at this point. Ideally, they would go out and spend some money on position players this offseason, but the rays never do anything like that.

      Reply
  6. RaysFan2021

    9 years ago

    The Rays need to get to work in the off season.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Brewers’ Aaron Civale Requests Trade

    Angels To Promote Christian Moore

    Brewers Promote Jacob Misiorowski

    Red Sox Acquire Jorge Alcala

    Jackson Jobe To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Shane McClanahan Pauses Rehab, Seeking Further Opinions On Nerve Issue

    Royals Place Cole Ragans On IL With Rotator Cuff Strain

    Red Sox Promote Roman Anthony

    Craig Kimbrel Elects Free Agency

    Marlins Place Ryan Weathers On 60-Day IL With Lat Strain

    White Sox To Promote Grant Taylor

    Mariners Designate Leody Taveras For Assignment, Outright Casey Lawrence

    Angels Acquire LaMonte Wade Jr.

    Corbin Burnes To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Braves Select Craig Kimbrel

    Jerry Reinsdorf, Justin Ishbia Reach Agreement For Ishbia To Obtain Future Majority Stake In White Sox

    White Sox To Promote Kyle Teel

    Sign Up For Trade Rumors Front Office Now And Lock In Savings!

    Pablo Lopez To Miss Multiple Months With Teres Major Strain

    MLB To Propose Automatic Ball-Strike Challenge System For 2026

    Recent

    Brewers’ Aaron Civale Requests Trade

    Cole Ragans To Go For Second Opinion On Injured Shoulder

    Angels To Promote Christian Moore

    Cubs Outright Tyson Miller

    Mets To Place Kodai Senga On IL With Hamstring Strain

    Emmanuel Rivera Accepts Outright Assignment With Orioles

    Yankees Release Brandon Leibrandt To Sign In CPBL

    Anthony DeSclafani Opts Out Of Deal With Yankees, Will Sign With Diamondbacks

    Tigers Select Matt Gage

    Cardinals Designate Ryan Vilade For Assignment, Select Andre Granillo

    ad: 300x250_5_side_mlb

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Nolan Arenado Rumors
    • Dylan Cease Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Marcus Stroman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2024-25 Offseason Outlook Series
    • 2025 Arbitration Projections
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version