Each Rays offseason inevitably results in commerce rumors about their higher-salaried gamers, whether or not it’s gamers getting more and more costly via their arbitration years or gamers coming into costlier years of their present contracts. The identical needs to be true this winter, as Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Occasions writes that Tyler Glasnow and Manuel Margot “appear prone to be in commerce discussions” because the Rays strive each handle their finances and keep a aggressive roster.
It isn’t a shock to see both participant probably shopped, particularly since Tampa reportedly supplied Margot to different groups as not too long ago because the commerce deadline. Margot additionally drew some commerce buzz through the 2021-22 offseason since 2022 was his last 12 months of wage arbitration, however the Rays not solely prevented an arb listening to by agreeing to a wage with Margot for 2022, however in addition they inked him to a two-year, $19MM extension with a $12MM membership possibility for 2025.
Glasnow’s personal extension with the Rays solely appeared to create extra commerce hypothesis, reasonably than safety about his future in St. Petersburg. The fitting-hander signed his two-year, $30.35MM extension in August 2022, simply over a 12 months after the right-hander underwent a Tommy John surgical procedure that price him nearly your complete 2022 season. The deal broke down as a $5.35MM wage in 2023 (basically what Glasnow would’ve earned anyway by way of arbitration wage) after which a whopping $25MM for 2024.
Primarily because the second that deal was introduced, many have anticipated that the Rays would look to commerce Glasnow earlier than that $25MM invoice got here due. That greenback determine may not scare off many groups as a one-year splurge, given how Glasnow returned to largely good well being and delivered a powerful season. An indirect pressure price Glasnow the primary two months of the 2023 marketing campaign, however he posted a 3.53 ERA, 51.2% grounder charge, and an elite 33.4% strikeout charge over 120 innings.
After all, the Rays themselves may view $25MM as a superb funding for a top-of-the-rotation arm, particularly given the opposite harm issues in Tampa Bay’s rotation. Glasnow and Zach Eflin challenge because the Rays’ prime two pitchers, with Taj Bradley penciled into the rotation for at the least the beginning of the season, Shane Baz getting back from Tommy John surgical procedure, Drew Rasmussen (elbow brace surgical procedure) and Jeffrey Springs (TJ surgical procedure) each anticipated again at midseason, and Shane McClanahan very doubtless lacking the 12 months altogether on account of one more TJ process. Given how all these accidents hampered the Rays this 12 months, Tampa may really feel snug in simply maintaining Glasnow after which getting draft compensation again subsequent winter by way of the qualifying provide, or even perhaps a midseason commerce if the Rays are out of the race.
If Glasnow is retained and the Rays appeared to trim payroll elsewhere, transferring Margot looks as if a pure place to start out, as he’s owed $12MM in 2024 ($10MM wage, $2MM buyout of his 2025 possibility). Margot typically been a barely below-average hitter throughout his eight MLB seasons, together with his .264/.310/.376 slash line over 336 plate appearances in 2023 principally matching his profession numbers. Margot’s pace and protection have helped his worth past the middling offense, although the general public metrics indicated a dropoff in his middle area glovework in 2023, even when his proper area numbers have been nonetheless stable. Margot’s taking part in time has additionally been restricted by some accidents during the last two years, in addition to the Rays’ pure penchant for outfield platoons.
Maybe particularly if Tampa Bay feels Margot has misplaced a step or two defensively, he is likely to be an expendable piece of a crowded Rays outfield. Josh Lowe and Jose Siri might take over the middle area platoon, and prospects like Kameron Misner or Chandler Simpson may also be nearing their large league debuts. Margot’s commerce market is likely to be considerably restricted by his 2023 efficiency, although with a skinny free agent marketplace for place gamers, any outfield assist may get some further curiosity this specific winter.
Turning from attainable Rays trades to some strikes that didn’t occur, Tampa Bay was identified to have curiosity in Shohei Ohtani this previous summer season, although it appeared just like the Angels had little to little interest in truly dealing the two-way star. That didn’t cease a number of groups from floating presents, and USA In the present day’s Bob Nightengale stories that Tampa supplied Junior Caminero and two different top-10 prospects in change for the ultimate two months of Ohtani’s 2023 season.
It will’ve been an enormous worth for a rental participant, but not out of line for a participant of Ohtani’s stature and distinctive all-around potential. After all, no commerce occurred, and the Rays most likely don’t have many regrets contemplating how Ohtani’s partial UCL tear prematurely ended his pitching season in August, and an indirect pressure then ended his season altogether a few weeks later.
