13 Rays to watch after the Arozarena deal

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ST. PETERSBURG -- Trade Deadline season has arrived.

The Rays declared as much early Friday morning when they sent fan-favorite left fielder Randy Arozarena to the Mariners for a pair of Minor League prospects and a player to be named later.

Whereas they were clear buyers last year and multiple seasons before that, the Rays are nearing the end of July with a 52-51 record while sitting four games (and three teams) back of the final American League Wild Card spot. And their up-and-down play has put them in an interesting position as Tuesday’s 6 p.m. ET Deadline approaches.

The expectation seems to be that the Rays will buy and sell, moving some veterans while retooling their roster for 2025 and beyond. It’s worth noting that the Arozarena trade, for two prospects in Single-A (outfielder Aidan Smith and right-hander Brody Hopkins) and a TBD third piece, focused more on the “and beyond” timeframe.

Depending on what else they do, it’s possible the Rays’ moves and reinforcements could keep them competitive down the stretch this season. But there are more likely buyers than sellers this year, creating leverage for clubs willing to part with proven players. And we know the Rays are always willing to get creative.

With that in mind, here are 13 more players to watch as the Trade Deadline approaches.

The potential free agents: RHP Shawn Armstrong, INF/OF Amed Rosario, 2B Brandon Lowe
Generally speaking, it’s easiest to move players who will become a free agent at the end of the season. The selling team isn’t giving up years of control or impacting next year’s roster, and the acquiring team’s cost is comparatively low.

Armstrong had a brutal stretch recently (16 runs allowed on 22 hits and six walks in 10 appearances from June 18-July 20), but he has certainly proven his value as a versatile reliever. Rosario is a veteran who can play a lot of positions and hit left-handed pitching (career .801 OPS). And Lowe is an interesting name to consider as a power-hitting middle infielder who’s gotten healthy and hot (1.053 OPS in 18 games in July). He’s in the final guaranteed season of his contract extension, with club options for 2025 ($10.5 million) and ’26 ($11.5 million).

The veteran starters: RHP Zach Eflin, RHP Zack Littell
One of the most obvious trade candidates on the Rays’ roster, Eflin was traded on Friday to the Orioles for three prospects: INF/OF Mac Horvath (O's No. 10 prospect), RHP Jackson Baumeister (No. 17) and OF Matthew Etzel. The right-hander is the kind of reliable, innings-eating veteran who could shore up any rotation, and he will stay in the division to bolster Baltimore's staff. He’s also set to make $18 million next year, which is expensive by Tampa Bay’s standard.

Littell is also bound to attract interest, although he’s pitched to a 5.84 ERA in nine starts over the past two months and is building a workload beyond anything he’s done since he was a starter in the Minors. Why? He’s making just $1.85 million this year, has one more season of club control remaining and throws strikes, allowing him to pitch deep into games.

The corner infielders: 3B Isaac Paredes, 1B Yandy Díaz
It’s hard to imagine both Paredes and Díaz being dealt, given their importance to the Rays' lineup, especially with Arozarena already gone. But with Junior Caminero (the Rays' No. 1 prospect, No. 3 overall) at Triple-A Durham, the Rays eventually need to make room in their infield.

Díaz, who has been on the restricted list while away from the team due to a personal family matter, is due $10 million next season with a $12 million club option for 2026. With his selective eye and 2023 batting title, there are few hitters like Tampa Bay’s leadoff man.

Paredes could yield a huge haul for all the reasons the 2024 All-Star will be difficult to trade. He’s proven himself as a legitimate 30-homer threat, he can play first and third (and occasionally second), and he’s arbitration-eligible for three more years after this, not reaching free agency until 2028.

The high-leverage relievers: RHP Pete Fairbanks, RHP Jason Adam, LHP Colin Poche
Relievers are always in demand this time of year, so you have to consider the possibility. But it wouldn’t come easy. Fairbanks is a lights-out closer signed to an extremely reasonable contract extension, Adam is a key part of the bullpen who has two more years of club control remaining, and Poche also isn’t eligible for free agency until 2026.

The reinforcements: LHP Jeffrey Springs, RHP Drew Rasmussen, INF Junior Caminero
Remember how the Rays traded Aaron Civale and immediately promoted Shane Baz? Or how they dealt Phil Maton and created room for Manuel Rodríguez in their bullpen? It’s a useful blueprint to follow.

If the Rays trade Eflin or Littell, Springs should be rotation-ready after making nine rehab starts in Triple-A. Rasmussen is being built up like a reliever, pitching for Durham on two days’ rest, and he could fill a spot in the bullpen in the event of a trade. And Caminero, the Rays’ top prospect, has been getting work at second and third base since coming off the Minor League injured list on July 19. He should be an option at some point down the stretch.