Confidence around the Tampa Bay Rays has climbed a long way since Opening Day, when they didn’t get a single vote to win the AL East.
That was the mood entering 2026: the Rays were widely expected to sit near the bottom of the American League and maybe even finish last in the division. The Athletic’s preseason poll reflected that skepticism in full. Boston led the way with 42% of the votes, the Yankees followed at 33%, and the Blue Jays picked up the remaining 25%.
By Memorial Day, Tampa Bay had forced its way into the conversation. The Rays were up to 16% in the vote, while New York still dominated the field at 84%. Boston, Toronto and Baltimore were left out entirely.
The latest update, released at the All-Star break, showed just how much the perception has shifted. Tampa Bay surged to a season-high 46% of the votes, a 30-point jump, while New York dropped by 29 points. The other three teams in the division again received no votes, though Boston’s recent run has changed the feel of the race.
The Rays opened the second half at Fenway Park for a four-game set, and the Red Sox swept them. Even so, Boston’s 13 straight wins have pushed it back into the AL playoff picture, and the division picture still has some life to it.
Tampa Bay’s margin in the standings has not been wiped out, even with five losses in a row. The Yankees have also stumbled out of the break against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which has kept them from cashing in on the Rays’ skid.
If the Rays want to keep holding that spot in the standings, the next move feels obvious: they need help before the MLB trade deadline. The lineup could use more punch, and the pitching staff needs depth.
That need is showing up in the rotation, where two relievers turned starters midseason, Griffin Jax and Ian Seymour, are carrying important innings. It has thinned out the bullpen behind them, even with Bryan Baker emerging as a lockdown closer. The problem is the rest of the relief group hasn’t always backed him up.
In Other News...
Blue Jays Suddenly Linked To The Kind Of Deadline Swing Fans Fear
The Blue Jays are being mentioned in the kind of deadline conversation that can change a roster in a hurry, with ESPNs Jeff Passan reporting Toronto is at least considering a major infield splash. Any pursuit of a player with that kind of profile would come with real complications, and it would not be the sort of move the front office could make without reshaping the rest of the roster to fit it.
Ross Atkins past connection with the player from their Cleveland days only adds another layer to the speculation, because this would be a familiar name attached to an unfamiliar level of risk for Toronto. The financial and prospect cost would be steep enough on its own, but the bigger question is whether the Blue Jays are ready to make the kind of accompanying roster move that would signal they are all-in on a deadline swing. [Read more 🡒]
Bo Bichette Just Added More Intrigue To Blue Jays Deadline Buzz
Bo Bichettes name is back in the middle of deadline chatter as the Mets move toward selling and the market starts sorting out which veterans might actually be available. For Toronto, it is the kind of development that naturally gets attention, even if nothing is close to settled yet. Bichettes contract situation and uneven value on the field only add to the uncertainty around what kind of return, or fit, he would represent for any interested club.
The larger question is what kind of leverage Bichette really has as the deadline approaches and the Mets try to navigate a roster that could change quickly. Teams looking at him are not just weighing talent, but also the contract and the possibility that his situation could evolve again after the season. For the Blue Jays, it keeps one familiar name in the conversation without offering any clear answer about whether the fit will become something more than speculation. [Read more 🡒]
Blue Jays Face A Deadline Decision That Could Push Out A Fan Favorite
The Blue Jays deadline picture is getting harder to ignore, and not just because of the standings. At 46-53, Toronto sits in a murky spot where a full reset feels unlikely but a real push still looks out of reach, leaving the front office to sort out how aggressive to be over the next few days. For players on the fringe, that kind of uncertainty can be just as consequential as any trade.
Davis Schneider has become one of the clearest names to watch in that squeeze. The versatile infielder and outfielder made a memorable debut in 2023, but his bat has stalled this season, and the return of injured regulars is only going to make playing time harder to find. With Daulton Varsho, George Springer and Andres Gimenez already occupying everyday roles, Torontos next roster move could leave even a familiar face fighting simply to stay in the mix. [Read more 🡒]