The Tampa Bay Rays are assessing several positional needs, and it may benefit them to look at players who don't receive tendered offers from their current teams.
The next few days may yield an opportunity for the Tampa Bay Rays to add a new roster piece.
Nov. 21 is the deadline for teams to decide whether to offer contracts to the arbitration-eligible and pre-arbitration players on their 40-man roster. President of baseball operations Erik Neander is focused on evaluating several positions including outfield and catcher. After claiming outfielder Jake Fraley off waivers on Nov. 6, the Rays may use the upcoming deadline to target non-tendered players.
Recently, R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports compiled a list of the 10 most interesting non-tender decisions. Below are three players at a low arbitration estimate Tampa Bay should target or pass on based on Anderson’s list.
- Gavin Lux, OF/2B, Cincinnati Reds- $5 million Arbitration Estimate: It would not hurt the Rays to pick up more effective hitting against right-handers, and Lux can provide that. In Anderson’s words, Lux “provides average and walks against right-handed pitching.” The downside is mediocrity on defense and the base paths. Still, his plate presence might be worth a reasonable price tag for the Rays.
- Jesus Sanchez, OF, Houston Astros- $6.5 million Arbitration Estimate: Sanchez’s career has been characterized by ups and downs. In multiple seasons he has hit over .250, but is coming off a year in which he hit .199. The Rays need consistency from their outfield bats, and it is a toss up on whether or not he provides it. The Rays probably should not pursue him with their limited spending power.
- Jonah Heim, C, Texas Rangers- $6 million Arbitration Estimate: Jonah Heim has not been the same since the Rangers won it all in 2023. He is coming off a season where he hit .213 and demonstrated less productivity as a backstop. It is probably better to stick with Nick Fortes and Hunter Feduccia at a fraction of the cost.
- Christopher Morel, OF, Tampa Bay Rays- $2.6 million Arbitration Estimate: Things have not worked out the way Tampa Bay has probably hoped with Christopher Morel since acquiring him from the Chicago Cubs in a trade for Isaac Paredes at the 2024 deadline. As Anderson put it, Morel was viewed as a positionless thumper who would provide power and on-base contributions at the cost of a low average. Unfortunately for the Rays, Morel’s offensive performance has been anemic for the most part. However, he has shown flashes of what he can be. Neander talked about evaluating what the Rays have in house for their positional needs, so it may be worth it to hold onto the 26-year-old at a fairly low price point.