JotCast | Rays Outlook Chat

Darragh McDonald

12:00

Hello, everyone. Let's talk Rays.

Silver

12:00

You'll likely get a zillion of these. Any updates on Franco?

Darragh McDonald

12:01

I don't have any inside info, no.

Bryce

12:01

With a seeming willingness to spend more (Eflin deal, Offer for Freeman), is it feasible to acquire Juan Soto? Perhaps with the inclusion of Glasnow in the deal?

Darragh McDonald

12:01

I don't really see it.

First of all, I don't think the Padres are eager to move Soto.

12:02

Secondly, moving Glasnow further depletes the Tampa rotation, which appears to be their weakest point right now.

Raysup247

12:02

Robert Stephenson seems like a sure-fire re-sign or extension candidate right? Or do they let him walk

Darragh McDonald

12:03

Well, he's great, but we at MLBTR think he's going to get paid. I think some people will be surprised when we publish our top 50 by how high Stephenson is.

That means the Rays probably aren't the likeliest landing spot. They usually prefer to find these guys before they get paid.

Kevin Cash

12:05

Considering Caminero will most likely start the year at AAA, do we continue to run out Walls at SS (assuming Franco does not return)?

Darragh McDonald

12:06

I don't know if it's a given Caminero stats the year in the minors. They believed in him enough to call him up. They could do the same next spring.

I figure him, Basabe and Walls are all in the mix for the job.

Raymond

12:08

Who from the group of Aranda, Walls, Brujan, Basabe does not return next year?

Darragh McDonald

12:08

Brujan is now out of options for real. We thought this was the case a year ago but the Rays got one more option year.

12:09

Seems like he would be the likeliest to go.

Ben B.

12:09

Do you expect Robert Stephenson to depart in free agency?

Darragh McDonald

12:09

Yeah, I would guess he leaves.

james

12:09

Will new stadium change the situation? Still on wrong side of the bay! Seems like a real estate deal with some new investors, but will that bring attendance boost and payroll increase?

Darragh McDonald

12:10

Yeah, the same location thing is weird. Seems like it will still be tough getting people to the park.

Seems like they're banking on people being more willing to make day trips for the shopping, restaurants, etc, then taking in a game.

That and some growth in the St. Pete area.

12:11

I don't live there and I'm not good at business, so I don't know if it will work. But a lot of people seem concerned about the location.

Guest

12:11

Assuming the Rays opt to trade Glasnow (as Rays' spokesman Marc Topkin of the Times has suggested), which team is likely to provide the Rays with a "can't refuse" offer that helps the Rays the most in 2024?

Darragh McDonald

12:12

I'm still skeptical of Glasnow being available. If they trade him, then they're down to Eflin and Civale as their rotation.

But just about any team would want Glasnow at that price for just one year.

mp2891

12:13

If the Rays opt to explore the trade market to improve their catcher position, who would you expect the Rays to target? Is KC's Fermin a realistic option?

Darragh McDonald

12:14

I suppose Fermin is a possibility, but since Perez is getting older, the Royals might like having both of them. They played Perez at first base a bit this year.

12:15

Some other theoretical trade candidates would be Joey Bart, Ivan Herrera, Kyle Higashioka/Ben Rortvedt.

Chris Rays

12:15

What is the rays biggest need this offseason? Any news on Franco? Will he ever play in the MLB again?

Darragh McDonald

12:16

No news on Franco but the biggest need for the Rays is starting pitching. We saw in 2023 that a rotation can be decimated pretty quickly.

12:17

Glasnow, Eflin, Civale is a decent front three but they all have notable injury histories and the back spots are question marks.

Guest

12:17

Rays lineup has struggled badly in the playoffs the last two years and needs to add some thump. And Glasnow is making too much money, they’ll never pay him 25 million. Glasnow to Cardinals for Jordan Walker?

Darragh McDonald

12:17

Cardinals won't give up Walker for a rental.

Guest

12:17

Is Neander sincere about our ability to raise payroll, or is he bluffing to have more leverage in a Glasnow trade?

Darragh McDonald

12:18

It's a good question. Put me in the "I'll believe it when I see it" camp.

But there have been previous hints they could spend more, such as the offer to Freddie Freeman.

12:19

If they don't raise payroll, then they have to save $40MM this winter, which will be a challenge.

Guest

12:19

Ohtani wants to play with a winning team, do we have a shot?

Darragh McDonald

12:19

There are other winning teams with more money.

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