Playoff Bound?
The Rays haven’t made the playoffs since 2013 when they lost in the ALDS. From 2014 onward, Tampa Bay has finished no higher than fourth in the AL East.
The Red Sox added Chris Sale, the Yankees signed Aroldis Chapman, the Orioles re-signed Mark Trumbo and the Blue Jays brought back Jose Bautista. All four teams seem to have gotten better and look to be real contenders for the division crown.
The Rays may not be the favorites the win the AL East, but a new report states that Tampa Bay believes they can be surprise contenders.
Ken Rosenthal recently wrote an article detailing how the Rays could reach the playoffs in 2017. He discussed how the team was the high-bidders for reliever Sergio Romo. If the team is still looking into added legit MLB talent, then clearly they believe they can compete.
Rosenthal wrote:
Do not confuse the Rays with the Reds, Brewers or any other rebuilding club with zero designs on contention; Tampa Bay is putting together a team that, if everything goes right, could emerge as a surprise contender. FanGraphs currently projects the Rays to finish tied for third with the Yankees in the AL East at 82-80 — and another addition or two could push that projection higher.
Tampa Bay already signed two power hitters in Wilson Ramos and Colby Rasmus. Putting them in the same lineup as Evan Longoria, Brad Miller and others could give the Rays an underratedly talented lineup.
The Rays already have a talented pitching staff featuring Chris Archer. If the offense were to add a hitter like Abreu, it could push Tampa Bay over the edge, and potentially into the playoffs.
Legitimate Interest
The Rays have been looking for a right-handed bat for most of the offseason. The team was thought to be interested in Chris Carter before he signed with the Yankees.
Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times recently tweeted:
Is among possibilities for #Rays, along with Wieters, Gutierrez, Cron, others https://t.co/Z9T7OvDmAl
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) February 9, 2017
He confirms that the Rays are interested in free agents such as Matt Wieters, Franklin Guitierrez and Byung-ho Park. It is interesting that he included C.J Cron on his list.
Cron is currently on the Los Angeles Angels. However after the team signed Luis Valbuena he won’t be seeing many plate appearances. He could feasibly be a trade target for teams in need of power hitting.
But if the Rays would be willing to trade for Cron, wouldn’t it be possible for the team to trade for Abreu? Yes it would likely cost more, but Abreu is a more proven MLB hitter. If the Rays were serious about compete adding a legit right-handed power hitter in Jose Abreu would do the trick.
Roster Resource currently has Logan Morrison projected to be the Rays starting first baseman. Morrison is a decent hitter who is coming off of a .238 with 14 home runs and 43 RBI campaign. However he has become injury prone, appearing in just 107 games last season. For his career, he has only once appeared in atleast 145 games.
It makes more sense for the team to bring in a legit, healthy power hitter. If nothing else that player could platoon with Morrison. In Abreu’s case he would be the everyday first baseman.
The Tampa Bay Rays have shown interest in a right-handed hitter all offseason. Jose Abreu may be the best player available. If the team is serious about contending, trading for the White Sox slugger could be their golden ticket.
Prospect Prowess
While it doesn’t receive the same attention as the White Sox, the Tampa Bay Rays have put together one of the more talented farm systems in the MLB.
In MLB Pipeline’s newest rankings, the Rays have four prospects inside the top 100. Three of those prospects are inside the top 35. All four of Willy Adames, Brent Honeywell, Jose De Leon and Jake Bauers would be fine headliners in an Abreu deal.
Outside of those four, the Rays have talented prospects in Joshua Lowe, Lucius Fox and Garrett Whitley among others. If Tampa Bay wants to get a deal done, they have the prospect power to do so.
It’ll come down to if the Rays are willing to mortgage part of their future in an attempt to win now. If Tampa is willing to move one of their top four prospects, they could likely have Jose Abreu as their starting first baseman come Opening Day.
Overall
It remains unlikely that Jose Abreu is moved prior to the Trade Deadline. Perhaps when Moncada comes up and is settled in the MLB, Rick Hahn will be more comfortable moving his first baseman.
However if/when he is moved, the Tampa Bay Rays present the best opportunity. They have the need, prospects, and playoff attitude to get it done. Playing in a division with the Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles and Blue Jays, all playoff contenders, could push the Rays to making this move.
It’ll come down to how serious the team feels about their playoff hopes. If they think this 2017 team can get it done, they could pull the trigger. If they think they’re still a few years away, they’ll hold on to their prospects.
Jose Abreu will likely enter the season with the White Sox. But with “everyone” available, there’s a chance he doesn’t end 2017 with the team.
If he is moved, the perfect landing spot for both the team and the player would be the Tampa Bay Rays.
Feel free to continue the conversation on Twitter: @DFappiano14
