The Tampa Bay Rays (43-44) have dropped 14 of their last 17 to fall 3.5 games out of first place in the AL East. They've suffered countless injuries to their pitching staff and outfielder Steven Souza Jr. recently hit the disabled list. Do they need to make some changes before July 31?
President of baseball operations Matt Silverman doesn't think so, but no one can rule that out for sure until the deadline passes. For now, rumors will question Tampa Bay's motive.
"We're in the hunt, and given all the injuries that have taken place, it's a good spot to be in," he told Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. "We're going to get healthier in the second half and have a club that resembles, or more closely resembles, the club we thought out of spring training.
"If we're a healthy team, there isn't a glaring need for us at the deadline.''
The Rays rank 25th in the MLB with 319 runs scored, but have managed to accumulate a formidable team ERA (3.58) - which is good for ninth in the league - even with all their starting rotation injuries and bullpen woes. Staff ace Chris Archer has been dominant for much of the year except for a couple of recent starts where he surrendered five earns runs against the Boston Red Sox and nine earned runs against the Kansas City Royals.
Tampa Bay is typically not active at the trade deadline. If anything they're a seller (as seen last year when they sent David Price to the Detroit Tigers), but one can't help but wonder if they'll make a move this year to help improve their positioning in the wide open American League. ESPN Insider Jim Bowden puts Silverman's thinking into question.
"GM Matt Silverman's predecessor, Andrew Friedman, was known for standing pat at the deadline, but it's hard to gauge whether Silverman will follow suit. The moves he has made so far have been a blended combination of building for now and building for the future, with no consistent pattern."
However, Bowden ultimately believes they will stand pat before the deadline.
The Rays have limited financial resources and do not like to make trades involving their minor-league talent, which is no surprise because they've had one of the best farm systems in the MLB for years. That's pretty much all they have to offer if they're looking to acquire someone who can contribute right now.
With the exception of third base, Tampa could use an upgrade at nearly every position on their major league roster. FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal hears they would like to add a catcher, but notes the difficulties in doing so due to the lack of talent at the position throughout the league.
While there will be plenty of opportunities to make a trades before July 31, it appears as if Silverman is waiting for the team to get healthy. He expects Desmond Jennings and Drew Smyly back in August and Jake Odorizzi is scheduled to return this Saturday against the Houston Astros. The rotation should stay solid throughout the year and their defense is ranked 11th in runs saved (DRS), so if those two aspects can stay consistent then they'll have a good shot at contending.
Perhaps Silverman will look to upgrade the bullpen in some capacity since that wouldn't be a costly acquisition. The Rays' relievers have a 4.09 ERA, which ranks 26th in the MLB, and a number of solid bullpen arms could be made available. Neal Cotts (MIL), Tyler Clippard (OAK), Jim Johnson (ATL), Shawn Kelley (SD) and others might be moved and they would help fortify the Rays' pen.
Otherwise, don't expect Silverman to make an earth-shattering deal in the next few weeks.
