The Rays are expected to pursue multiple bullpen upgrades on this year’s trade market, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports in his latest inbox column. Toribio lists some speculative targets, including Shane Greene, Ken Giles and Kirby Yates. It’s also possible, Toribio notes, that Tampa Bay will look to add a right-handed bat to its bench mix.
Rays relievers entered play Wednesday ranked third in the Majors in ERA (3.60) and FIP (3.94), and they rank 11th in xFIP (4.36). They’re also in the bottom five of MLB in terms of K/9, though, and they’ve benefited from the game’s lowest HR/9 mark (0.98) and second-lowest homer-to-flyball ratio (11.5 percent).
The Rays have gotten strong results from lefty Jalen Beeks while working as a bulk reliever behind the Rays’ frequently utilized openers, which has somewhat skewed those league-wide rankings. Late-inning relievers Jose Alvarado, Diego Castillo and Emilio Pagan have all pitched well, but the Tampa Bay bullpen has been somewhat top-heavy toward the end of the game. They’ve been all the more thin with Alvarado away due to family reasons and Castillo on the IL due to a shoulder issue.
Rostering a deep bullpen is of particular importance for the Rays, given their nontraditional approach to constructing a pitching staff. At the moment, they’re only deploying three traditional starters in Charlie Morton, Yonny Chirinos and struggling reigning Cy Young winner Blake Snell. Tyler Glasnow would give them another option in that regard once healthy, but he recently suffered a setback in his recovery from a forearm injury and will be shut down for another three weeks. That atypical pitching formation leads the Rays to utilize multiple “bullpen” games per week, with Ryne Stanek serving as the most frequent opener and Beeks operating as the leading bulk reliever.
As for the potential addition of a right-handed bat, the Rays have Yandy Diaz, Christian Arroyo, Matt Duffy and Daniel Robertson all on the injured list, with Robertson set to miss up to six weeks following knee surgery and Duffy sidelined indefinitely. They recently turned to 25-year-old Mike Brosseau for his MLB debut as a righty bench bat, with backup catcher Travis d’Arnaud and light-hitting outfielder Guillermo Heredia rounding out an all-right-handed, three-man bench that can’t be reasonably expected to provide much offense.
A Shane Greene and Nick C package from the Tigers sounds it would do the trick for TB with the Tigers covering all of Nicks remains salary.
J Sanchez for both??
No chance they get a top 50 prospect for half a season of Greene and Castellanos.
1.5 years of Greene
Brujan?
Tigers will not give up the mlb saves leader with sub 1 era for a bad prospects, may not be a top 50 but they are going to have to be pretty damn good. Going to have to be like a mclanahan and solak for Greene. That would be fair for both parties the #10 and #11 rays prospects. If Rays only want to give up one then the prospect will have to be significantly better.
If castellanos is included it will have be a shane baz included too or Sanchez thrown in too.
You’re suggesting Nick Castellanos would be worth a top 100 prospect. That’s preposterous. If you were able to get mclanahan and Solak for Greene and Castellanos that would be a coup for the Tigers. And quite frankly if I were the Rays I’d use those two prospects on better relievers.
McClanahan is a top 3 prospect on most teams, no way Greene and Castellanos get him. The Rays wouldn’t trade that much control over a player to so much less.
Castellanos has limited value. He is a rental that is poor defensively. No way he gets more than a lotto ticket or a prospect at the bottom of a team’s top 3o.
If you look at the return that similar RPs such as Familia and Soria were traded for at last years deadline and also the packages that far superior one dimensional hitters like JD Martinez and Encarnacion returned, you’re going to end up very disappointed once Greene and Castellanos get moved.
McClanahan is not a top 3 prospects for most teams. Very few teams would that be true about and boy that is a bad farm system if that is the case.
“You’re suggesting Nick Castellanos would be worth a top 100 prospect. That’s preposterous.”
If a team is not prepared to deal the 99th ranked prospect in baseball for Nick Castellanos then that GM shouldn’t be employed. Are you kidding me JBigz? Castellanos is not worth 1 (ONE) Top 100 prospect?
Hate to break it to you; yes he is worth a top 100 prospect. If Detroit asked for just 1 player between 90-100 in the rankings you do the deal.
That said, I don’t think the Rays need Castellanos.
Agreed Jbigz. Two years ago Martinez was the best rental bat and actually profiles a lot like Castellanos. He brought back almost the equivalent of nothing. Machado brought back a decent package but only one real blue chip prospect. I don’t think anyone is going to confuse Machado with Castrllanos though. Different markets from year to year but it always seems like teams use their trade chips more towards pitching and Castellanos probably doesn’t bring back a top prospect.
I would say McClanahan is top 10 in any other system except maybe SD or Atlanta and he may be good enough to be top 10 in those systems too. Tampa’s depth is crazy good.
Castellanos will absolutely net a top 100 prospect. If teams are trading for an everyday player with a good contract, you’re going to lose a top 100 guy on them.
If Castellanos was an medicore middle reliever, he’d still get more than what you’re suggesting. Your suggestion nets you a Niko Goodrum rental equivalent.
@Goat.
Supply and demand played a role. when JD was traded. First, few contenders had need of an OF bat. JD went for more than any other that year, and most didnt even get moved. Second, the Tigers, due to their payroll, would have only gotten a pick in the 4th round if they gave a QO. Neither are the case this time. Tigers pick will be based on what he signs for, and there is demand from several teams. His defense has improved.
Ya we’ll see who is and isn’t available. I don’t think the return will be quite as high, but who knows. There’s still a month of baseball for teams to fall out or move into the race and for Castellanos to raise his stock.
Well Trim that’s why no one has you on the phone consulting. Nick Castellanos is hitting 5% above league average and is a rental. I’m not sure what you think that is but you’re completely wrong. Give me one good reason why he’s better than Edwin Encarnacion who was traded for a lotto ticket.? There is no good reason and he won’t be dealt for a prospect who is that good. You’ll see that at the end of the month. But you should know that now.
Martras what the F are you talking about? Castellanos is a rental on a 1 year ~10 MM contract. He’s hitting 5% above league average. He still sucks defensively. And is generating a solid .8 WAR. Are you guys confused on who Nick Castellanos is? Because it sure as hell sounds like it to me. He doesn’t have JDM’s bat and whatever you want to say about his fielding improvements, he’s still poor. I’m not going to argue anymore though we’ll see by July 31st.
I mean this is legitimately funny to me. Jay Bruce got traded for nothing. He was out hitting Castellanos. EE got traded for a lotto ticket, he too was out hitting Castellanos. What the hell makes you think Castellanos is some kind of stud? He comps favorably to either one of those guys. If you really think Castellanos is going to get a T100, what is Trey Mancini going to bring back? You know the guy who is severely outthitting Castellanos and has 3.5 years of control? Please let me know
curious question…..are your a mr or a mrs? you are being too emotional in this. Just business. Going to take 3 top 10s to get both of them. Just is.
Lol Well if the “theguru” says so…..You’re setting yourself up for disappointment by July 31.
Yeah JD. I don’t even think comping Martinez to Castellanos is a perfect comparison. They should get a little more for Castellanos just because that package was very light but JDM was still a significantly better hitter. JDM has posted a 165 OPS+ At the time of his trade. 65% better than league average. Nick Castellanos has a 105 OPS+, 5% above league average. No GM with a brain would even consider giving up a top 100 prospect for half a season of that.
There was exactly 1 top 100 prospect moved for a rental last year. That rental was Manny Machado. Why? Because Manny Machado hits much better than 5% above league average and plays a premium defensive position. There’s no argument on your side if you try to claim Castellanos would net a top 100 guy. The returns on Bruce and Encarnacion have been extremely low. Why on Earth you think someone is going to pay 20x that for a similar player I don’t know. I think the other guys might just be tiger homers wishing for the best.
Trim just clearly doesn’t understand player value or comps.
There wasn’t a top 100 prospect on the table for Castellanos in February. I have no clue why after his offensive numbers took a dive anyone would think that changes in July.
Your ignorance implies I actually seek out or make calls to baseball teams.
Your incompetence is spelled out by the fact you refuse to read. What I said is Castellanos is absolutely worth 1 (one) Top 100 prospect. Whether he’s traded for one is a whole different argument altogether. If you are a contender and you are a RH power bat corner OF away from stacking a ridiculous lineup, you make that deal.
Also, many Top 50 prospects don’t turn out great. Some Top 10 prospects don’t make an impact at the major league level. Some guys are in the Top 100 on one list, and completely off another. If a contender wants to split hairs on that, maybe they really aren’t prepared to win.
You wouldn’t know, as an O’s fan. Or are you JDGoat using JBigz as a burner? Since people like to question me, why not return the favor?
Congratulations you just said nothing. Keep being an absolute clown Trim. Castellanos is worth a top 100 prospect but won’t get one. Yeah that’s a great point, makes a whole lot of sense. You come on here and talk nonsense. When faced with numbers or facts to back up a claim you revert to an insult or make nonsense statements like that. “If Detroit asks for one top 100 prospect you do the deal.” That’s your quote Stop the bullsh it Trim, you said it right there. Your tangent about prospect value and attempting to divert from what you actually said is funny. You are a clown.
You say nonsense and refuse to use any facts or data to back up anything. In your original post that’s not at all what you say about Castellanos. But later on you try to defend it that way with absolutely no facts. You go on a tangent about how top prospects bust. Which again is completely irrelevant. No facts. Nothing.
There’s your argument. But you know hey, let’s forget about historical examples of trades or players stats/value. Nick Castellanos is worth a top 100 prospect in theory(BUT now let’s remember this is only in theory, no GM will trade one for him) because,I, the Great TrimReaper say so.
And your argument is complete garbage in theory. No, Nick Castellanos is not worth the top 100 prospect. Why? Because you can use that top 100 prospect and acquire a better player than Nick Castellanos. The only place your argument makes some semblance of sense is in a world where you have to keep the prospect or get Castellanos. We don’t live in that theoretical world in case you didNt know. When you can use that prospect to trade for a better player from another team your theoretical garbage falls like a house of cards.
McCalahan, Solak and Nate Lowe for Greene and Castellanos.
Brujan is off the table, hopefully.
I would probably do that deal Bob.
That’s far too much for a reliever and a one dimensional hitter. EE was dealt with the bulk of his salary eaten for a lotto ticket. 3 top of the Rays top 12 prospects is far more than it will take for him and Greene.
It doesn’t really favor either team and checks the boxes. Tigers should take it.
I truly hope that was a joke by Bob otherwise he needs to be checked into a mental health institute
I think Jesus Sanchez could be had for Yates plus Renfroe, if TB decides they want to upgrade two positions in the same deal.
More would have to be included but Sanchez would be the high upside OF prospect near ready to take over CF the Padres need, Margot has played better as of late but he nor Myers has shown they deserve to hold that position in 20’. Unfortunately Jankowski/Cordero can’t stay healthy, top OF prospects are a few years out. Michael Gettys is doing well at AAA but I don’t see him being an impact player with the Padres.
This all depends on the Padres falling out of contention however, 40-40 will have them hold Yates longer than most expected this year.
I like this deal
Sanchez is a COF not a CF and that would be a terrible deal for the Padres
Nah. Think of a lighter package. Sanchez and Brujan ain’t happening, at least not for the RP listed above. I wonder if they move Fox, he just hasn’t impressed enough. I could see Solak available, but wish we could keep em.
If you do not want to give up even Solak then plan on TB sitting tight as is.
If they aren’t going to move any of there top prospects they won’t be getting a top reliever in return
Sanchez has preformed well (not great, but well) everywhere he’s been, and he’s usually among the younger players in his classification. I can’t see them moving him unless it’s a controllable player. He’s also easily the best defensive OFer in the upper levels, though admittedly there isn’t much competition.
Fox can’t hit his way out of a paper bag, and Solak is a defensive horror show. I doubt other teams have any interests at all.
I’ve seen Solak up close at Durham. His offense offsets his errs in the field imo. Fox can’t hit for ish but dude has plus speed at least and he is only 21. Those two and a SP could get something decent. I guess I value Tampa’s farm more than most. Their lower 30 are better than some teams top 15.
The only real “give” in my proposal is McClanahan; altho he’s fattened up his stats against younger competition, he’ s taken the FSL (where he should be) by storm.
But Greene’s going to have a lot of suiters, and ya gotta give to get.
Greene’s going to have a lot of suitors if you believe in an ERA after 30 innings. Ya know if you close your eyes and pretend that he doesn’t have numbers that scream regression and he’s really a low 3’s ERA guy. Ideally a 7th inning man for a contender. That’s an absolutely ludicrous package for him. (Most) Front offices are far smarter than that nowadays. And the ones who aren’t probably aren’t going to playing for October. The Rays certainly won’t give that.
A solid upside prospect for 1.5 yrs of a quality backend RP is not crazy. He has a high ceiling but a low floor as well, you guys are counting him to be a Sale in 4 yrs when he might not even make it if he cannot find some control.
First off Bob proposed you get Solak, Lowe, and Mclanahan for Greene. Only in a dream would that scenario happen. Shane Greene does not have the underlying numbers to support this dominance. The rays of all teams will not buy guys like that. That’s not their MO. They buy guys with strong underlying numbers or something they see that they can unlock. IE Glasnow, Pham, Diaz. This FO is one of the best in the game at evaluating talent.
Sure Greene’s numbers are solid and he’s a better pitcher. Not nearly as good as he is pitching right now though. He also won’t be cheap next year via arb given he already has 22 saves and they pay well in arbitration. That further hampers some of that upside considering he’s going to be on a 10MM salary next year. Not very Rays friendly.
I just think you’re going to be very disappointed with the return. if you got Solak+ another 2 young guys in their system I think that’d be a win. The tigers desperately need positional players anyhow.
Nor do I think getting Nick Solak + A couple lotto tickets is a bad deal. There’s a strong chance Nick Solak is playing everyday somewhere for the Tigers for the foreseeable future if you snag him. Bob’s been bashing the guy but that doesn’t mean a whole lot. Kid has a very solid hit tool with some pop.
The Rays have a log jam in their infield and have been working him in the corners in AAA. He looks pretty comparable to a guy like Brandon Lowe to me. Pretty redundant in TB but if you could get a guy with that upside idk why you’d be disappointed.
Renfroe would be the most controllable OF that would provide immediate impact to that offense.
Sanchez was in offer for Goldy. Already stated they’d move him
And let’s not forget the Montreal thing went over like a lead balloon, and crowds of 10,000 or less are likely for games against the Rangers and O’s over the next few days. (Then they get the Yanks, but we know what that means).
Given the way they’ve played and public dislike (and their history), it’s reasonable to see them more as sellers on July 31`.
You’re infatuated with calling the Rays deadline sellers and every time I read it I cry from laughter
Yeah Bob this is possibly worse than calling the Red Sox the almighty super power that was geometrically better than the entire American League. Just a little off here in your ALE calculation.
What about Watson,Dyson,Vogt, and Pillar for Brujan and some change? Looks like you’re pretty set at second with Lowe.
Hahahahahahahaha the Giants would never take such a low ball and one sided trade. Bobby Evans isn’t GM anymore, y’all can’t dump another Moore or Longoria on them
I would, again, think Brujan is off the table. That’s a real bat (and legs), and tho he’s at best a “meh” 2B, there’s OF possibilities.
Would the taus take Myers if my pads give them Yates ?
Rays
No way the Rays or anyone else takes on Myers and his contract.
For Yates and giving up zero prospects. Myers is owed 61 MM for the next 3. I could conceivably see a team taking 35-40MM of Myers deal if it meant getting Yates for nothing. Not the Rays, but a large market team with Plenty of cash could certainly do it.
I agree they won’t but they should. I’d send Pruitt and some other bum to make room. I could see Myers taking a step forward with the Rays and the dh spot. SD would actually be smart to make that move. Rays drafted Yates and traded him for cash.
Jays need to extend Giles. He is only getting better…
They need to build their SP depth. They have to trade him.
Reds have had a great season from the pen and I could see
Iglesias and Hernandez
For
Baz solak walls and gibaut
Shane Baz isn’t going anywhere. Iglesias is solid, I will give you that. But Baz has number two starter stuff (I still cannot believe how badly the Rays fleeced the Pirates on that deal)
When you have specially gifted people running the front office, you can get Bell for a bag of peanuts.
Send Duffy, Arroyo & Fox to San Francisco for Tony Watson
Why would SF want Arroyo and Duffy? I’m sure the Rays would want more for Fox.
will take those former Giants back & throw in Watson but you have to take back Longoria too.
I understand this is rumors site but at least do some research the mere fact that you say Castillo and Alvarado have pitched well this season shows your not paying attention to Rays baseball. As our President says “fake news” !! Lol
Alvarado has an ERA of 3. What’s bad about that?
Call the Jays about Stroman and Giles, potentially Hudson also. Can’t be certain about Glasnow’s recovery. Stroman, Morton, Snell, Chririnos. Not a bad starting 4.
Would you give up J Sanchez and Liberatori for Stroman and Giles?
I’m a Tigers guy but interested if you are willing to give up a package to get those guys from Toronto
Intriguing. Libertore a yes. Here’s the issue with Sanchez; Jays need a CF. Gurriel probably in LF and Grichuk got a stupid extension to play RF. He can’t play CF well enough.
However, if it were me I’d trade Grichuk and eat a bad contract in-return to facilitate Sanchez. I’d also think Giles and Stroman commands a third prospect. Not a high prospect, and Jays would need that player to be a starting pitcher.
No way. Rays May value Libs more than any other pitcher outside of McKay. Unfortunately I fear Stroman will be a Yankee
Given Cashman’s latest comments, if Stroman becomes a Yankee it means Atkins and the Jays decided to “settle”. And it will mean Atkins is not up for the GM job.
Stroman is a cancer to any team. Rays are young, do they want that influence on them? If Stroman is traded, he should go to a team that might help him control his behavior within the club house. I am not a Jays fan, but read many articles about Stroman and his “outburst” or negative comments/reaction.
It is hard to suggest Yankees would trade for Stroman. That environment maybe unhealthy for both the club and player. Media would be all over Stroman and he probably won’t handle it well. Stroman is a head case in his own way. Which makes it hard to decide what contending team is suitable for him. Houston does come to mind because they turned Gerret Cole attitude around. Plus Houston doesn’t have as big media coverage as New York or Boston. Only thing about Houston, their rotation is already good and I am not sure Houston wants to trade prospects for Stroman. Ideally, I see him going to Atlanta Braves.
I can’t refute any of this.
The Padres have a gift of relievers having big years and then moving them. A’s have been good at that too over the years.
Trade Taylor Walls to Giants for Sam Dyson . Wont cost as much as Watson or Smith. Rays will stick with their pen but need a solid second tier arm to add experience to their depth. Taking on his 2.5 million and next years arbitration salary at the same time. KO rate up/BB’s/whip down and can plug in anywhere 7-9..
I have a feeling people here are just praying for an unrealistic market. Rays trade away good players, develop the prospects then trade them away too. They’ve gotten steals many times. I have doubts they can do it when the other team has all the power. Losing teams really don’t hurt this year by keeping their good players. They’ll get the best haul or not make a move. It happens all the time. the rays are not the team to go for the win. Theyre more like a triple A team for other teams that does well enough, but can’t make a dime because of the fan base in st. Pete. So the owner only moves the team one way and that’s selling and being cheap.
Rays never trade away their top prospects but are often in a position to when there is a need. Yet they’ve had a hard time pulling the trigger but with payroll to expand this summer and system depth to add parts its as good a chance as any. But their recent slip into WC territory (7 behind the Yanks) may push them to look at longer term acquisitions as opposed to rentals. which may require finally moving some of those prospects.
Castellanos and Greene for Wander Franco, Jesus Sanchez and Liberatore