ST. LOUIS
By now, no matter shock there had been has handed, and the brand new actuality is setting in. Players who had been teammates every week or so in the past are on the opposite facet now, similar to Shawn Armstrong within the Cardinals bullpen for this collection and Zach Eflin lined as much as begin for the Orioles Friday at Tropicana Field. The Rays, after buying and selling 9 gamers off their major-league roster in July, clearly have a brand new look as effectively. Part of it’s from including gamers they acquired within the trades, like newcomers Christopher Morel, Dylan Carlson, and Hunter Bigge. Also, from shuffling a number of considerably acquainted faces into completely different locations, between bringing again veteran pitchers Jeffrey Springs and (quickly) Drew Rasmussen from the injured checklist, and giving extra alternative and duty to youthful gamers similar to relievers Edwin Uceta and Manny Rodriguez.
Yet, thus far, anyway, the Rays have managed to remain within the race for a sixth straight postseason berth. They entered play Tuesday 4½ video games behind the Royals for the third American League wild-card spot, with solely the Red Sox between them. “It’s not honest to say that we’re a greater group. We’re not. We misplaced actually good gamers,” supervisor Kevin Cash stated. “But we’re excited concerning the guys which are sort of filling the voids of a few of the gamers that had been traded. There’s most likely a bit bit extra uncertainty round this group. But as a lot uncertainty, there’s equal expertise. And we’ll see the place that takes us over the subsequent few months.”
Whether scripted or serendipitous — or, probably, a mix of the 2 — many of the actions the Rays took main as much as the deadline had an inexpensive response. To exchange traded starters Aaron Civale and Eflin, that they had Shane Baz and Springs able to step in. In transferring relievers Armstrong, Jason Adam, Phil Maton, and Tyler Zuber; they acquired Bigge, referred to as up Rodriguez and can quickly activate Rasmussen; and pushed Uceta and Rodriguez into higher-leverage roles.
They dealt All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes however acquired the multi-talented Morel, who’s taking part in second, and are getting Curtis Mead some extra time at third. Leftfielder Randy Arozarena was to get replaced by the tandem of Jonny DeLuca and Richie Palacios, although Palacios damage his proper knee and is out four-six weeks. Utilityman Amed Rosario’s prowess in opposition to lefty pitchers will be matched by Carlson. Combine that with the veterans they talked about however didn’t commerce — Yandy Diaz, Pete Fairbanks, Zack Littell, and Brandon Lowe — and the Rays have a modified group and, Littell stated, “a unique vibe.”
But additionally they really feel they nonetheless have an opportunity to win one thing this yr and are positively arrange higher for 2025 and past. “You make these first two strikes (July 26) with Randy and Eflin, and it sort of felt straight away like, ‘Are we mailing this factor in?’” Littell stated. “Then you herald Morel, you herald Bigge, herald some youthful guys proper there on the sting that may assist us, and impulsively you’re taking a look at, like, ‘Did we actually worsen?’ “The argument will be made that we’re possibly a bit extra uncooked and never as skilled however simply as proficient. Lots of potential. I feel the ground could have gotten decrease, however I feel the ceiling is far increased at this level.
That’s not a knock on anyone that left. I feel it’s simply sort of what the Rays tried to do, guess on the blokes that stayed on this locker room in addition to herald some guys which have the potential to be actually, actually good baseball gamers and guys which are going to assist us down the stretch. I feel all people in right here feels actually good about the place we’re at. We’re taking part in actually good baseball. … I nonetheless suppose that we will compete with nearly anyone within the league.
Old faces in new locations
A take a look at how the 9 gamers traded off the Rays’ big-league roster have achieved (via Monday):
Jason Adam, reliever
With Rays: 4-2, 2.49 ERA, 4 saves, 47 video games; With Padres: 1-0, 0.00, 2 video games
Shawn Armstrong, reliever
With Rays: 2-2, 5.40, 1 save, 38 video games; with Cardinals: 0-0, 2.25, 2 video games
Randy Arozarena, outfielder
With Rays: .211, 15 HRs, 37 RBIs, .712 OPS, 100 video games; with Mariners: .290, 1, 2, .889, 8 video games
Aaron Civale, starter
With Rays: 2-6, 5.07, 17 begins; with Brewers: 0-2, 5.40, 5 begins
Zach Eflin, starter
With Rays: 5-7, 4.09, 19 begins; with Orioles: 2-0, 3.65, 2 begins
Phil Maton, reliever
With Rays: 1-2, 4.58, 2 saves, 40 video games; with Mets: 1-0, 2.00, 0, 10 video games
Isaac Paredes, infielder
With Rays: .245, 16 HRs, 55 RBIs, .792 OPS, 101 video games; with Cubs: .111, 0, 0, .358, 7 video games
Amed Rosario, utility
With Rays: .307, 2 HRs, 26 RBIs, .748 OPS, 76 video games; with Dodgers: .286, 0, 1, .715, 3 video games
Tyler Zuber, reliever
With Rays: 0-0, 2.70, 2 video games; with Mets Triple-A group: 0-1, 9.00, 2 video games
New faces in other places
As a product of their July trades, the Rays introduced in 14 prospects — 9 of whom are actually ranked amongst their high 30, per mlb.com — with one other to be named from Seattle within the Randy Arozarena deal. Here is a take a look at the place they’re now:
Rays: RHP Hunter Bigge (from Cubs), OF Dylan Carlson (Cards), INF Christopher Morel (Cubs)
Triple-A Durham: RHP Michael Flynn (Dodgers)
Double-A Montgomery: No. 29 prospect OF Matthew Etzel (Orioles), RHP Paul Gervase (Mets)
