It appears Lance Lynn has another suitor. After a report from Bob Nightengale surfaced that the Texas Rangers are interested in Lynn, the Tampa Bay Rays have thrown their hat in the mix.
On Sunday morning Bob Nightengale reported that the Rays have engaged in trade talks with the White Sox about Lynn. The Rays front office believes that this year’s team is the best squad they have ever fielded in franchise history. According to Nightengale, they will be aggressive at the trade deadline in pursuit of another starting pitcher and perhaps a bat.
However, the White Sox asking price for Lynn is reportedly steep. While having a steep asking price for a starter with a 6.06 ERA seems ridiculous, this is an encouraging sign. Anyone who has watched baseball over the last ten years knows to never trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Their front office knows how to identify and maximize talent. Randy Arozarena, Yandy Díaz, and Drew Rasmussen are just a few names that have seen their career trajectory skyrocket since coming to Tampa Bay. They also know always seem to know the right time to sell high on players who always seem to regress once they switch uniforms.
The Tampa Bay Rays front office is playing chess while Rick Hahn and the White Sox front office seem like they are still trying to figure out how to open up the box the chess set came in. However, the Rays front office is human. They can make mistakes.
The Rays recently received news that Rasmussen, who has been on the IL since May, is undergoing UCL surgery and will not return this season. They would like to add some depth to their starting rotation after playing .500 ball for the past month.
Lynn has been throwing the ball better as of late. The 36-year-old boasts a strikeout rate of 11.1 per nine innings. According to StatCast, his strikeout rate is in the MLB’s 77th percentile while his whiff rate and fastball spin rate are in the 85th and 89th percentile.
Rick Hahn is in a rare position where he has leverage. A host of playoff contenders need pitching. The White Sox are one of the few teams that have valuable arms to offer. The Texas Rangers figure to be one of Ray’s roadblocks to the American League pennant. Neither team will want to see the other bolster their rotation. Because of this, the White Sox are in a position to jack up the price for Lynn.
The White Sox also have a team option for Lynn next season. They don’t have to trade him which adds to their leverage.
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Barring injuries, this group should be plenty productive this coming season.