2021 Rays: Wandervision

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Randy was Mr October, Wander is waiting in the wings, they sold high on Snell...but they made a very uncharacteristic front-office error in handling Morton’s option. They thought they could leverage him living in Tampa and being super comfortable with the Rays situation to squeeze him for a few million by declining the 15m option and signing him for what? Maybe 11-12? Just so obnoxious. As much as it hurts the team, I’m kinda glad he called them on it. You know they got caught with their pants down because they offered 10m+ for Kluber...so this was definitely not driven by them thinking the young crew was ready and they didn’t need Morton. For shame.

Anyway, they need to clear out a bit of a logjam of infielders and they really need another starter, so hopefully there is a trade to be had here somewhere. Musgrove and Taillon seemed very gettable based on the packages but maybe they have a bigger target in mind? Castillo? It feels like the time to cash in some prospects and/or move Adames.
 

jon abbey

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I almost started this thread today to suggest Adames plus some stud prospects for Castillo. Castillo like Snell is under control through 2023, but he is cheaper and almost certainly better.
 

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It’s the move. Plus the Reds really need a SS.
Yeah, I don't know if Adames is good enough to anchor the deal, but something like this works in the BTV calculator:

Adames
McKay (went to school at Louisville, not so far from Cincy)
Baz
Brujan or Edwards+McClanahan

I am not a McKay believer but that still seems like a more aggressive move than TB likes to make. Castillo is really valuable.
 

jon abbey

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Adames and Lowe and Baz for Castillo and then just play Wander and Brujan from Opening Day would make TB really scary really quickly.
 

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Another deal, probably more likely than getting Castillo, would be Adames + Kiermaier for Sonny Gray. Kiermaier and Gray almost exactly match up on the years/$$ remaining on their contracts.
 

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Adames and Lowe and Baz for Castillo and then just play Wander and Brujan from Opening Day would make TB really scary really quickly.
Seems a near certainty Wander is in minors until at least the summer, no? Feel like a franchise like the Rays would make sure he clears Super 2 deadline, no? I really do hope we get to see him a good amount this year.
 

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Seems a near certainty Wander is in minors until at least the summer, no? Feel like a franchise like the Rays would make sure he clears Super 2 deadline, no? I really do hope we get to see him a good amount this year.
Yeah, unless they sign him to a long-term extension. One can hope.

If Adames gets traded, it’s probably some combo of Wendle and Taylor Walls getting the SS reps until Wander arrives.
 

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Underwhelming. Hope this doesn’t preclude a trade, but maybe helps in negotiations as a signal they’re not relying on the trade.

It does put a nice bow on the deal of the century with the Pirates.
 

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Rich Hill and Colin McHugh signed. 2.5m for Hill, 1.8m for McHugh. The Rays may never have anyone throw more than 5 innings the entire season.
 

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Wander coming out smoking after first 2 games:

5-9 with a double, triple, HR, and steal.

Not sure when the Super 2 deadline is (typically June, I believe) or if Tampa is using that as a guide but this kid needs to be up now. A lineup with Wander, Arozarena, and Meadows at the top gets real interesting, real fast.
 

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Yeah, he should be up. But there is no way he’s coming before super 2. It’s easier to justify this year, with the late start to the minors. Give him 6-8 weeks in AAA and if he’s still raking, he better come up! Maybe they can finalize his 10 year extension in the meantime. They can finally dump Tsutsugo then, too, if they haven’t already.
Starting to get some glimpses of the young pitching now, also. Patino has looked great. McClanahan, Fleming looking good, too.
 

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Yeah, he should be up. But there is no way he’s coming before super 2. It’s easier to justify this year, with the late start to the minors. Give him 6-8 weeks in AAA and if he’s still raking, he better come up! Maybe they can finalize his 10 year extension in the meantime. They can finally dump Tsutsugo then, too, if they haven’t already.
Starting to get some glimpses of the young pitching now, also. Patino has looked great. McClanahan, Fleming looking good, too.
Agreed. I think sometime in July is when Wander comes up unless injuries force the issue. He is still barely 20 with minimal high minors experience so they can use that as an excuse even though I think he should be on the Soto path. Vidal Brujan is another intriguing guy who may be close to being ready. If I'm another GM, I'm trying to get him because he is seemingly blocked as well.

Have been really disappointed by Tsutsugo's performance. Really thought he would be better. Obviously wasn't expecting his Nippon League production but I thought his power would play over here.
 

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Yeah, Yoshi has been a Pat Burrell level flop. That’ll teach them to spend money on a free agent!!

Has to be tough to try to make that transition in the midst of the pandemic, so you feel for the guy, and the Rays have been very patient with him. But he’s been awful.
 

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HR #2 for Wander. Brujan also looks great. Rays could use both guys right now.
 

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And Adames and Lowe have been bad. Will be interesting to see how they navigate this. Not enough infield at bats to go around.
 

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And Adames and Lowe have been bad. Will be interesting to see how they navigate this. Not enough infield at bats to go around.
Brujan can play OF though, right? Feel like Wander has a chance in June. Vidal may be a little later although they could certainly use him now. Both guys are ton better than Mike Brosseau and his ilk.
 

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Yeah, they have used Brujan in CF. Lowe also plays OF. Still a logjam, though. Wander will prob play a lot of 3B and Brosseau gets bumped from regular rotation. Yandy and Ji-Man split 1B. Yoshi and Brett Phillips prob get dumped.
 

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It’s a log jam of mediocre players. You can’t let mediocre talent hold back potential stars. But they clearly have time for at least a few more weeks. Agree that Yoshi and Phillips are logical dumps to make room.
 

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Adames' trade value is down because of his slow start, but same with Luis Castillo, possible trade target who has been bad so far.
 

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Adames' trade value is down because of his slow start, but same with Luis Castillo, possible trade target who has been bad so far.
Yeah, Adames is still cheap and is a really good defensive SS. He could have value as a JBJ type for a contending team that doesn’t need the bat but not a whole lot of teams need a SS. Injuries could change that, of course.

Castillo has baffled me. Just an awful start.
 

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I don’t see them selling low on Adames during the season. Wander will probably see a lot of action at 3B. If Lowe picks things up, his super cheap contract could be a valuable chip and wouldn’t be shocked if they moved him.
 

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FWIW, Wander has been playing a good amount of 2B so far in AAA. Obviously early though.
 

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Rays bats seem to have come to life. 9, 3, 12, 7 in the last 4 games. Pitching has really been rounding into form, too. Ji-man back strong.
 

jon abbey

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Buzz seems to be that Taylor Walls will be called up for SS, not Wander yet.
 

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Walls...ugh. Having great season but nearly 25 and not nearly the prospect Brujan and Wander are. Have to imagine the latter 2 are pretty imminent though.
 

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Walls...ugh. Having great season but nearly 25 and not nearly the prospect Brujan and Wander are. Have to imagine the latter 2 are pretty imminent though.
Walls could end up being pretty good and I think they want to have a look at him in the bigs to see if they should keep him over someone like Brosseau. The Adames trade would seem to seal the deal on Wander coming soon, though.
 

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Walls could end up being pretty good and I think they want to have a look at him in the bigs to see if they should keep him over someone like Brosseau. The Adames trade would seem to seal the deal on Wander coming soon, though.
Agreed. I think Wander and Brujan are both up within a month. I know Super 2 has no exact date but they may be waiting for it. Or not. Wander is in a little bit of a slump right now so more time in AAA wouldn’t hurt him even though I’d rather see him thrown into the MLB fire.
 

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Agreed. I think Wander and Brujan are both up within a month. I know Super 2 has no exact date but they may be waiting for it. Or not. Wander is in a little bit of a slump right now so more time in AAA wouldn’t hurt him even though I’d rather see him thrown into the MLB fire.
They’re definitely waiting for Super 2. Brosseau and Phillips are pretty expendable. Going to be a real mid-season transformation with all the talent coming up.