Naturally, the Tampa Bay Rays, one of the few teams with a possible surplus of young arms, would seem to be a potential trade partner. The Rays offensive woes in 2012 have been well chronicled, and the bats being made available would make an immediate impact upon the lineup. The Rays stable of young arms has been much discussed in trade rumours, and would likely generate plenty of interest should they become available.

While both players would likely be an upgrade over the presently constructed lineup, Caberea may not make a lot of sense for the Rays. Tampa tentatively has Ben Zobrist ready to man shortstop, which makes sense considering his excellent play there down the stretch. Second, one of the Rays top prospects happens to be Hak-Ju Lee, who may be ready to man the shortstop position by 2014. While Cabrera’s ability to play second as well as short would be greatly appreciated on a team like the Rays, he has not played second since 2009.

Meanwhile, Choo is entering his final arbitration year. After an injury marred 2011, he bounced back in a big way, batting .283/.373/.441 with 43 doubles, 16 home runs, and 21 stolen bases. After making $4.9Million last season, Choo is expected to earn approximately $8Million this season. While that number would be high for the Rays, it would fill the payroll spot formerly held by Carlos Pena, so it may not be prohibitive.

Choo would likely provide another impact bat in the lineup. His power and speed combination would play directly into the Rays ideals for their hitters, and he could even potentially slot in as a number two hitter behind Desmond Jennings. With Jennings and Choo at the top of their lineup, the Rays may have a much better opportunity to score runs than last season. Choo has also been an excellent defensive player over the years, as he has consistently ranked amongst the league leaders in range factor, fielding percentage, and outfield assists.

Of the potential outfielders available in trade, Shin-Soo Choo may be one of the top players on the block. Plugging Choo into the lineup would likely help solidify the Rays both offensively and defensively, and may be a key piece in the Rays returning to the playoffs.

Alex Cobb doesn’t have dominant stuff and needs great control and command to survive in the big leagues. He simply didn’t have it on Monday night. He tossed 3.1 innings allowing 3 runs, 2 earned, on 5 hits, striking out 3 while walking 5. He tossed 86 pitches, 43 strikes and 43 balls. It was hard to watch. Unfortunately it happens. Hopefully Cobb can recover in his next outing.

The Rays bullpen was as good as it gets in relief of Cobb, tossing 5.2 shutout innings. J.P. Howell escaped the bases loaded, 1 out jam that Cobb left before tossing a shutout 5th as well, before Kyle Farnsworth, Joel Peralta, Jake McGee, and Fernando Rodney tossed a shutout inning each. McGee was especially dominant, tossing a nine-pitch perfect inning with 2 strikeouts and a ground out.

The Rays gradually worked their way back into the game. Jeff Keppinger had a 4th inning RBI single to pull the Rays within 3-1. That was all the Rays could manage against Zach McAllister, who tossed 6 innings allowing just 1 run on 3 hits, striking out 5 while walking 4. Desmond Jennings did greet reliever Esmil Rogers with a long solo homer, a great sign for him, to pull the Rays within 3-2, but the Indians relievers got through the rest of the game unscathed as the Indians won 3-2. McAllister (4-1) earned the win, Cobb (4-6) took the loss, and Chris Perez earned his 26th save for Cleveland. The Rays drop to just 46-44, just two games over .500. This team is falling apart, plain and simple. They have to find something to turn themselves around. Matt Moore goes up against Josh Tomlin on Tuesday night as the Rays hope that they’ve seen the worst they can be.

The Rays got next to nothing against Tomlin on Thursday. (Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE)

In the first 4 innings of the game, Josh Tomlin stifled the Rays as they manage solely an Elliot Johnson single. But they finally got something in the 5th. With 1 out, Will Rhymes hit a high flyball to deep right field hitting off the right field wall and just missing a home run, but deflecting far enough away from Sin-Soo Choo that Rhymes made it all the way to 3rd. He scored on a Jose Molina ground out. Elliot Johnson then reached on a dropped third strike, giving the Rays a little momentum. But Sean Rodriguez grounded out to end the inning, the first of 7 straight batters Tomlin retired to end his outing. Tomlin went 7 innings allowing 1 run on just 2 hits, striking out 3 while walking none.

Elliot Johnson hit a bloop down the left field line with 1 out in the top of the 8th and went for second base as the ball went into foul territory. But left fielder Aaron Cunningham got to the ball and made a beautiful throw to second base to gun down Johnson. Hideki Matsui then lined out to the end the inning.

Jake McGee tossed the 8th trying to get back on track following the go-ahead 2-run single he allowed to Robinson Cano on Wednesday, but he could not do the job, allowing a Travis Hafner solo shot to make it a 3-1 game. Desmond Jennings singled to lead off the 9th for the Rays, but Chris Perez retired the next 3 batters as the Indians won 3-1. Tomlin (5-5) got the win, while Hellickson (4-5) took the loss and Perez recorded his 24th save. It wasn’t quite as frustrating as Wednesday’s game, but it was their second straight loss. Jeremy Hellickson was nowhere near sharp, but he buckled down to keep the Rays in the game. However, the Rays offense came up with nothing. The Rays send Alex Cobb to the mound on Friday against Justin Masterson for the second game of a 4 game set.