The Rays already have one of the strongest starting staffs in baseball, but that hasn’t taken the idea of another arm off the table. In fact, if Tampa Bay wants to chase a deep postseason run, the case for adding more pitching only gets stronger.
Drew Rasmussen’s second All-Star nod this weekend and Nick Martinez’s likely path to an alternate spot have given the Rays a legitimate front-end duo. Right now, Tampa Bay may have the best 1-2 punch in the American League. Kevin Cash has also gotten a useful result from shifting Griffin Jax and Ian Seymour back into the rotation after using them out of the bullpen.
Still, that setup comes with a question mark attached. There’s no guarantee those moves hold up over a full season, and that’s why Eric Neander and the front office should be paying attention to what becomes available ahead of the August 3 deadline.
Boston looks like a team that could be moving pieces, especially after firing its manager Alex Cora earlier this season. If the Red Sox do sell, Sonny Gray becomes an obvious name to watch. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported Sunday that Boston would likely be willing to pay his $10 million mutual option in order to move him this summer.
For Tampa Bay, that could open the door to landing a proven starter without paying full price. The Rays would still be on the hook for whatever remains of Gray’s $11 million deal this season, along with whatever prospect cost it takes to complete the trade. His $30 million mutual option for next season would only come into play if both sides wanted to keep the partnership going beyond a half-season rental.
Gray’s numbers make the fit easy to see. He has posted a 2.61 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP, and he’s finished a quality start in 67% of his outings this year. Those are the kind of results that would slide right into an already strong rotation.
If Tampa Bay adds one more starter, the possibilities widen. The Rays could go to a six-man rotation to keep their bigger arms fresher late in the year, or they could shift Jax or Seymour into a long-relief role.
The biggest reason to be aggressive, though, is Shane McClanahan. He’s off to a strong start after missing almost two full seasons, but his injury history is exactly why the Rays can’t get comfortable. McClanahan was hurt in 2023, the last time Tampa Bay sat on top of the American League standings with real postseason optimism, and that year ended with a first-round loss to the Texas Rangers.
That doesn’t mean another injury is coming. It does mean the Rays have every reason to protect themselves. If they want to make a run at the first World Series title in franchise history, the deadline is the time to leave nothing to chance.
In Other News...
Rays Linked To Proven Bullpen Upgrade As AL East Race Tightens
With the AL East tightening, the Rays are at the point in the season where even a division lead can feel fragile if the bullpen starts to wobble. Tampa Bay has already gotten solid work at the back end from Bryan Baker, but the club is always looking for ways to sharpen the late innings, especially with the trade deadline approaching and the rest of the division pushing hard.
Aroldis Chapman has emerged as one of the more intriguing names in that market, and his numbers with Boston help explain why. The left-hander has a 2.36 ERA with 18 saves in 28 appearances, production that would give the Rays another proven option in high-leverage spots if they decide to make a move. For a team trying to stay ahead in a crowded race, that kind of upgrade is hard to ignore. [Read more 🡒]
Rays Suddenly Have A Troubling New Bullpen Concern
The Rays bullpen has already been operating with little margin for error, and Edwin Ucetas latest injury update only adds to the pressure. Manager Kevin Cash said the right-hander is dealing with a setback in his shoulder rehab, a frustrating turn for a staff that has been trying to piece together innings while Ryan Pepiot, Manuel Rodriguez and Steven Wilson remain out with long-term injuries.
Uceta had been part of the group Tampa Bay hoped could help stabilize the relief mix, so any delay matters beyond just one arm. With the bullpen still stretched thin, the organization now has to wait on a clearer medical picture before it can know whether Uceta can realistically factor into the picture next season. [Read more 🡒]
Yankees Fans Have Been Waiting For Ben Rice To Reach This Stage
The Home Run Derby is headed back to Citizens Bank Park on July 13, and the early field already has a familiar Rays connection in Junior Caminero, who is in as one of the eight confirmed participants. The event will also return to a swings-based format, giving hitters more chances to settle in and do damage, which should suit the kind of power display that has made Caminero such a draw in the first place.
One of the more interesting additions is Ben Rice, who is set to take part for the first time as the Yankees keep watching his profile rise in a very different kind of spotlight. Philadelphia could still get a pair of hometown-relevant names in Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper if everything lines up, while Pete Crow-Armstrong has already bowed out, leaving the rest of the field to take shape around a few unresolved decisions. [Read more 🡒]