The first half of the Tampa Bay Rays' 2024 season has found them in an unfamiliar place. For what could be the first time in five seasons, the Rays could be void of a playoff berth. They are currently 40-41, 11.5 games back in the American League East. However, they're just 3.5 games back of a Wild Card spot.
Again, that puts the Rays in a bit of a predicament. They're obviously no strangers to being a Wild Card team, doing so the last two seasons. But things seem much different this year.
Not accounting for the pandemic season where they won 40 games and eventually made it to the World Series, the Rays have won 90 or more games in all but one of their last five postseason appearances. Currently, they're projected to finish the rest of the season going 42-39 with an overall record of 82-80, giving them just a 19.5 percent chance of making the playoffs, according to FanGraphs projections. This time last year, they were 54-28 with a 99 percent chance of making the playoffs.
As we all know, no teams are the same year to year and the Rays are proving that this season after what has been one of the best runs in the franchise's history. Typically, this time of year, when June is rounding up, is when the Rays would at least be looking at the market with the MLB Trade Deadline approaching. However, this year, they very well could be looking at it with a much different perspective, as sellers rather than buyers.
“Unfortunately, when you’re a few games under .500 this time of year, and you have talent, the inbound calls tend to be a little bit more active. So that just comes with the territory,” Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said on 95.3 WDAE, per MLB.com. “There is some urgency to get this turned around, and that doesn’t necessarily mean making moves. I think that means pouring everything we have into getting our established players back on track. We’re seeing signs of that.”
There may not be enough signs, though. While they've won six out of their last nine, they're still 12-11 overall for the month with a -6 run differential. With little time to make up some ground, here's who the Rays should be putting on the trade block.
Time to move on from Randy Arozarena
There's perhaps not a team that's more honest and open about itself and its roster than the Rays. And that becomes apparent by every move they make, whether that's in or out of season.
Now in his sixth season, Arozarena is having an absolutely dreadful year offensively. He's batting a mere .189 and slugging a gross .344. Still, the Rays outfielder is a name, and more importantly, a name that tends to shine brightly once the postseason comes. In 33 postseason appearances, he's batting .336, with 38 hits, 11 home runs, 17 RBIs, and 23 runs. That's good enough for just about any contender to go after him, no matter his current slump.
Amed Rosario should be traded
Even after he took a 100 mph fastball to the face just a couple of days ago, Rosario is one that should likely be put on the trade block and available for teams. He'll attract a lot of suitors for multiple reasons. He's a utility guy that can play about anywhere, plus in 222 plate appearances, he's slashing .296/.320/.408. He'll also be a free agent at the end of the season.
Starting and relief pitchers available
The Rays somehow are never short on arms. They have become a starting pitching factory over the last few seasons, although most of them have been hit hard with injuries and aren't even able to be a part of this year's squad. They're also not afraid to depart from their prized arms, likely because they know they have more waiting on the farm.
At least two pitchers that could see some looks are right-handers Zach Eflin and Shawn Armstrong.
Eflin has had some issues this season, suffering through some fairly minor injuries, but his production is solid. His ERA is up to 4.20, while fanning 63 batters in 81.1 innings, with a record of 3-5. However, he's only allowed six walks on the season. Set to be a free agent in 2026, he would give teams some time before they would have to re-sign him.
Armstrong is interesting because of his versatility. As a starter, he's posting a 3.38 ERA in eight innings with 12 strikeouts. As a reliever, his ERA goes to 4.13 with 27 strikeouts and 12 walks. He also has one save, three holds, and two blown saves. He's pitching in the last year of his deal, so look for the Rays to put him up for grabs should they continue to maneuver themselves out of playoff contention.
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