Monday, July 29. Off Day.

After the roller coaster weekend against the Blue Jays, the Rays are in desperate need to gather themselves, get composed, and be ready for the three upcoming games against the Red Sox in Fenway Park beginning on Tuesday.  What can we expect from this team against the Bosox?  God only knows.  My guess is that He doesn't have a clue either.

July 31 Trade Deadline

The Rays made a couple of odd deals on Sunday.  The "big" one was the addition of 33-year-old Eric Sogard from the Blue Jays for two players to be named later.  He's a typical Rays all-purpose player with a solid season of offense, .300 BA, 10 HRs, 30 RBIs, but he is a middle infielder primarily and a left-handed hitter.  Neither of those are priorities on this team.  He will no doubt come in handy, but with Wendle, Adames, Diaz, Duffy, Lowe, Brosseau, and Robertson (now in Durham), good players will be sitting on the bench every night.  And in the meantime, the team is desperate for bullpen relief and a right-handed power.bat.

They made one other deal, sending Christian Arroyo (the infielder they got for Evan Longoria in 2017) and relief pitcher Hunter Wood to the Cleveland Indians for Class A outfielder Ruben Cardenas and $250,000 of international signing money.  Arroyo had begun to show signs of improved hitting before going on the IL, and Hunter had a 2.48 ERA making him a relief pitcher they ought to be seeking instead of trading.  Cardenas has potential but is a long way off, which is fine, the Rays say, because the deal frees up a spot for Sogard on the 40-man roster and gives them a little more flexibility for further roster moves.

With so many teams looking for reliable relievers to add to their bullpen, the chances of the Rays getting one seem remote.  Chances are even more remote for them to come up with one of the closers who are available because the number of rich teams shopping for closers is impressive. The Rays are rich in minor league talent, but it's doubtful they would be willing to give the good ones up.  There is a better chance that a power hitting right-handed hitter might turn up, but don't hold your breath.