The Tampa Bay Rays are running out of time to decide what kind of second half they want to have.
A four-game sweep at the hands of the Boston Red Sox was a rough way to open the stretch, and now the trade deadline is closing in fast. Tampa Bay has plenty to like on paper, but there are still clear spots that could use help if the club wants to push forward.
The rotation is one of the biggest strengths, with three All-Star-caliber pitchers leading the way. That kind of top-end talent can carry a team deep into October, but it also leaves some questions about whether the group can keep it going. The bullpen, meanwhile, sits in the middle of the pack, and another high-leverage reliever would make plenty of sense.
Even so, the biggest need might be in the lineup.
The Rays have talent on offense, but they also have too many holes for comfort. That has made them a natural match for several possible deadline targets, and one name that stands out is Luis Arraez of the San Francisco Giants.
Contributors to The Athletic (subscription required) recently updated their trade board and listed Tampa Bay as one of the top three fits for Arraez. Once the Giants made it clear they would be sellers this summer and that just about everyone was available, Arraez moved quickly into the mix as a sought-after trade candidate.
He has put together a strong season, hitting .326/.366/.455 with four home runs and 36 RBI. For a Rays lineup that leans heavily on a few bats, his contact skills would bring a different look and a much-needed boost.
Second base is another reason the fit makes sense. Tampa Bay has not gotten enough offense there since trading Brandon Lowe over the winter, and Arraez could help fill that void even if he brings a very different profile at the plate.
His value also comes from getting on base in front of the Rays’ run producers, and with free agency looming at the end of the year, the price tag should not be too steep for an All-Star of his caliber.
With two weeks left before the deadline, the Rays still have time to shape the rest of their season. They should be aggressive, but what they actually add is still to be determined.
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