Rays Must Take Advantage of Mets Fire Sale at MLB Trade Deadline

The Tampa Bay Rays must do everything in their power to capitalize on the success they're having this season. 

As the MLB trade deadline quickly approaches, the Rays face multiple opportunities to improve their roster and continue their path to a hopeful first World Series title. Entering Monday, the team is 62-43 and currently holds a three-game lead on the New York Yankees for the American League East division title. They also hold the best record inside the junior circuit. 

But that record is clearly up for grabs and could be in trouble if Eric Neander and the Tampa Bay Rays front office don't make the aggressive trades needed before August 3rd. 

As one team like the Rays is showing success, a few other squads across Major League Baseball have fallen way short of expectations, especially the New York Mets. The team is having one of the worst seasons in recent memory, going 44-62, the sixth-worst record currently in baseball. The Mets clearly were seen as a contender entering the season with their $366 million payroll, the second-highest in MLB. Still, both underperforming players and, of course, injuries have left them as potential big-time sellers before next week arrives. 

In fact, many MLB insiders believe that the Mets will be the most active seller before the deadline is over. Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal says he expects the Mets to make at least six trades before the deadline. 

If that's the case, the Rays must take advantage. 

Although it's highly unlikely players like Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor get moved this season, there are plenty of other big-time players who could be acquired at a bargain, so the Mets can lower payroll and move into a rebuilding mode for the upcoming offseason. Players such as Luke Weaver, Clay Holmes, and Freddy Peralta could be big-time additions for the Rays as they look to make a deep postseason run. 

With a year in the American League that has surely been disappointing, the Tampa Bay Rays must ensure that they take every advantage to get themselves as the most playoff-ready team entering the postseason. 

Add in the potential of an MLB lockout after the season's over and a looming MLB salary cap after this year. A small-market team like the Tampa Bay Rays could lose their competitive advantage after this season, making the next week one of the most important weeks in franchise history if done correctly.

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