The Tampa Bay Rays have slipped in the MLB standings and with the American League playoff race tightening up, the latest MLB trade rumors suggest the Rays could be active buyers leading up to the deadline.
Tampa Bay got off to a hot start this season, delivering the longest winning streak in MLB this season. However, the club’s overall performance has dipped considerably in recent weeks. Not only does Tampa Bay no longer have the best record in baseball, it slipped out of first place in the AL East shortly after the All-Star Break.
- Marcus Stroman stats (2023): 3.09 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 0.5 HR.9, 7.7 K/9 in 122.1 innings
In the last 30 days, Tampa Bay is 9-15 (24th in MLB) with a collective 4.19 ERA from its pitching staff. It’s put the front office in a position where moves need to be made for this club to remain a World Series contender. With trade talks heating up, there appears to be at least one starting pitcher on the team’s radar.
Related: MLB trade tracker
In the latest Onto Waveland podcast hosted by The Athletic, it was reported that the Rays have been “doing homework” on Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Marcus Stroman.
Tampa Bay isn’t the only MLB team interested in Stroman. The Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays are among the clubs already connected to Chicago’s All-Star hurler and there’s even more interest around the league.
Related: Marcus Stroman calls out Chicago Cubs organization
- Marcus Stroman contract: $25 million salary (2023), $23.66 million player option (2024)
Holding a player option for the 2024 season, Stroman is effectively a half-season rental. With the Chicago Cubs leaning towards selling, it makes him the ideal candidate for a Rays’ organization that doesn’t want to give up its top prospects for short-term gains.
Stroman would immediately slot in as Tampa Bay’s No. 3 starter behind Shane McClanahan and Tyler Glasnow. It would take significant strain off a rotation that already lost Drew Rasmussen and Jeffrey Springs to season-ending injuries.
While the Rays will face significant competition for Stroman, their history of trade negotiations with Chicago and one of the deepest farm systems in MLB could make Tampa Bay one of the favorites for Stroman.