Should the Rays buy or sell at the trade deadline?
After three long losing seasons, the Rays have themselves in position to make their first playoff appearance since 2013. The Rays currently have a 1.5 game lead on the Yankees in the wildcard race and are only 2.5 games behind Boston for first in the AL East.
Should the Rays unload Alex Cobb, Evan Longoria or maybe Chris Archer? Or do they keep those players and add some bullpen help and another bat?
I say the Rays should be buyers in the next 10 days. It is not every year that the team is in position for a playoff berth. You have to take advantage of those opportunities when they present themselves. If you trade an Alex Cob or Longoria, what message does that send to the fans when you are trying like hell to get fannies in seats at the Trop?
If you are Rays owner Stuart Sternberg, you have to give Erik Neander and the rest of the guys in the front office a chance to get some pieces that will propel to this team to playing some meaningful baseball games in October.
Relief pitching should be at the top of the list. A.J. Ramos of the Marlins and Justin Wilson of the Tigers are the two most talked about names coming to Tampa. Wilson a lefty is 3-4 with a 2.75 ERA with 50K's in 36 IP. Ramos is a having a sub-par year going 2-4 with a 4.08 ERA. Ramos has a career 2.81 ERA with a 15-16 record.
Wilson would be a nice addition to join Boxberger and Tommy Hunter as set-up guys and Ramos hopefully would benefit from a change of scenery.
Matt Andreisse is also coming back in August and that should set up the rotation very nice for the stretch run. Cobb, Archer, Ordorizzi, Faria, and Andriesse is a real good starting five. statistically one of the best in the AL.
I am not that concerned about the Rays getting another bat. Kevin Keirmaeir is due back the first week of August and should add some more pop to this Rays offense. Mallex Smith should have a place on this roster when the dust settles. Smith has done a good filling in for Keirmaier. Not a lot of pop in his bat, but a good contact hitter and will hit for average.
Now its up to the fans to get to the Trop and support this team. The crowds were fantastic during the Boston series right before the all-star break. If the Rays could get crowds like that every night that would be a great home field advantage for the Rays.
Now its up to the front office to make the moves that are needed to excite the fan base and get this team in the playoffs.
