With trade deadlines approaching, what are Rays’ biggest needs?

Tampa – Depending on the choice of the algorithm, the ray is between a good bet to make the playoffs and a nearby lock.

That’s what you get when you win nearly three of the 3 out of the four games from mid-May to late June. It doesn’t mean that things aren’t wrong in the coming months, but as the season approaches its midpoint, the rays have become an enviable position.

And that leads to obvious questions when the calendar creeps forward:

What should they do before the July 31st trade deadline?

The simple answer is to buy. Of course you will buy it. Certainly you will buy. Yes, you will buy it.

But what aisles should team president Eric Neander go shopping? And how much should he spend?

The Rays have emerged as a dark horse candidate as they have one of the most balanced rosters in the American League. They finished third in the AL this week. They were sixth in the Starters era and second in the bullpen era. They were also second-most tied in defensive efficiency. The only other AL team in half a dozen in all these categories was the Yankees.

The key is that Tampa Bay can somehow improve its roster, but there are no obvious weaknesses that must be addressed at all costs.

Think about that. The Rays are first earning All-Star Caliber Production (Jonathan Aranda), second (Brandon Lowe) and 3 bases (Junior Caminero). They don’t get much offensive help with shortstops, but Ha Song Kim is on the way. Designated batsman Yandy Diaz is at a pace of 25 homers and 91 RBI. Catcher Danny Jansen has a brutal start but has a .774 OPS with six home runs in his final 27 games, and Matt Tice has had a .395 on-base percentage since being bought from Chicago.

The spin is tied for the AL lead at the start of quality, with the bullpen having an ERA of 3.29.

There aren’t many people complaining, right?

ESPN recently listed the top 30 trade candidates with several potential fits for each player. For example, the Padres were listed as a possible destination for 14 out of 30 candidates. The Phillies were listed 11 times with the Blue Jays and Cubs 10 respectively.

The ray rose zero times as a potential fit.

It may have something to do with Tampa Bay’s budget policy, but it also speaks of the obvious lack of needs.

Maybe it could point to a spinning backend where Taj Bradley and Shane Buzz were violently inconsistent, but the Rays could welcome Ace Shane McClanahan in August, with Joe Boyle and his 1.83 era still waiting on Triple A. Durham’s wings.

The team usually only needs four starters in the postseason, and was able to have one of the better rotations in October between Ryan Pepiot, Drew Ras Mussen, McClanahan and Zach Rittel Tampa Bay.

If there is one place where the ray can theoretically upgrade, it is in the outfield. But even that can be difficult.

Josh Lowe hasn’t had a big number (.230/.317/.381) since falling off the list injured in mid-May, but team officials see him as a long-term building block. With Kameron Misner returning to Durham, Jake Mangum looks like the No. 1 Centerfielder, bringing solid defense with bat-to-ball skill and excellent speed. Chandler Simpson and Christopher Morell become the possibility of a left field platoon.

Morell’s overall numbers were reduced by his job as a pinch hitter/designated batter (0-16), but he was fairly productive (.246/.320/.449) when playing in left field.

The rays could certainly boost the attack with another bat in the outfield, but is the cost worth the actual upgrade? ESPN has listed Adolis Garcia, Taylor Ward, Luis Robert and Cedric Mullins as trade candidates, but is only slightly better than Morel/Simpson/Mangum, and in some cases it’s a bad thing. Boston has a lot of outfielders and Jaren Duran may be available, but it will probably come at a higher price.

This does not mean that the rays will stick to the status quo. An injury or poor performance can change things, and other names almost certainly appear. Come in August, you’ll be surprised if Tampa Bay wasn’t making a move or two.

There’s a chatter about a closer Pete Fairbanks being available now. Given his 2026 options, it could easily exceed $10 million based on his appearances later in the season, but there is a rationale to think of it that way. But the injury to Manny Rodriguez, and the struggle between Edwin Useta and Mason Montgomery, could make it a dangerous proposition.

So yes, the ray is in a position where it may/should try to strengthen the roster for a stretch run.

What about the tricky side?

John Romano can visit JRomano@tampabay.com. Follow @romano_tbtimes.

••••

Sign up for Sports Today Newsletter for daily updates on Bucs, Rays, Lightning and College Football across Florida.

Tune each week to the Sports Day Tampa Bay Podcast and listen to reporter Rickstroud breaking down Tampa Bay Sports’ biggest storyline.

Don’t miss out on the latest updates with your favorite Tampa Bay Sports Team. Follow X and Facebook coverage.