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Rays Offseason Chat
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Darragh McDonald
1:56
Welcome!
1:57
There's already a decent pile of questions here, so let's dive in.
Guest
1:57
The Rays are very position flexible, one being Diaz, Arranda and Brandon Lowe, sounds like these guys could play 1st by committee with the departed Choi, what are some possibilities here or does Kevin Cash still find luck by having so many possible lineup variations?
Darragh McDonald
1:58
First base is certainly an area that the club could make an outside addition.
With Choi gone, there's the opening. They have many in-house options to replace him but could also find an impact bat elsewhere.
In our recent Top 50, many of the 1B/DH types were listed as plausible fits with the Rays.
1:59
Josh Bell, Jose Abreu, JD Martinez, etc.
Eddie Yost
1:59
How active should the Rays be in the catcher market? I doubt the go for one of the big fish like Contreras or Vazquez, but will they at least look for some backup/depth options?
Darragh McDonald
2:00
This is a very interesting question that I addressed in the outlook that was published earlier today.
Bethancourt had a nice season but his overall track record is less impressive.
I think catcher is another place they could add.
Big Fish Hunter Neander
2:01
what big name will I be in on this off-season?
Darragh McDonald
2:01
There are lots of questions about the Rays going after a big name, which is understandable.
The Freeman thing from last year means it's not totally out of the question.
2:02
Personally, I'm taking a believe-it-when-I-see-it approach.
In our Top 50 post, Anthony predicted them to land Willson Contreras. If they're going to make a big splash, that one makes a lot of sense.
2:03
They could use a catcher. They don't have a regular DH blocking him from going there when he's not behind the plate.
Kyle Manzardo
2:03
Do you think I make it to the majors this season? Also do you think I’m exactly what the rays need at 1st?
Darragh McDonald
2:03
Cop-out answer but it'll depend on how his 2023 goes.
2:04
Opening Day isn't likely because he's not Rule 5 eligible until next year. That means he won't be on the 40-man this winter.
He's also only played 30 Double-A games so far.
2:05
I don't think he's at the door yet but he could certainly get there next year with a strong season.
Rays 2023
2:05
Will Curtis Mead make the opening day roster?
Darragh McDonald
2:06
Yeah, Mead's more possible because he'll be added to the roster this week and has been at Triple-A.
Biggest Name Moved
2:06
Your too guesses on the biggest name the Rays move (trade, DFA) between now and opening day?
Darragh McDonald
2:07
I think they're a good fit for Sean Murphy. The A's usually target a mixture of MLB-ready guys and prospects. The Rays have both.
The Trop
2:08
What's my status as a ball field? Will I be vacant soon?
Darragh McDonald
2:09
Seems to be trending that way.
Manfred discussed this recently...
He said Tampa needs "a properly located facility."
Bryce
2:10
which is the most realistic acquisition out of abreu, contreras, bell, or gallo? can they potentially get two of these guys?
Darragh McDonald
2:10
Well, Gallo is the most gettable of the group. He'll likely only require a one-year deal. But I don't know how much interest the Rays would have.
2:11
We put Abreu at 2/40 on our Top 50. That's a little rich for Tampa's normal M.O. but not insane if they have some money to spend.
Bryce
2:11
Do you see another kluber-like signing? Someone like Johnny Cueto or Wade Miley
Darragh McDonald
2:12
Sure, I could see that.
Drew
2:13
Do you see any FA SP filling that veteran spot on the rotation for 23 similar to Morton/Kluber?
Darragh McDonald
2:13
There are lots of decent FA starters this year.
2:14
There's the top tier of Rodon/deGrom/Verlander. But below that, here are the others from our Top 50...
2:16
Senga, Bassitt, Taillon, Walker, Manaea, Heaney, Syndergaard, Eovaldi, Quintana, Eflin, Perez, Anderson, Stripling, Walker, Kluber, Clevinger, Rucinski.
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