Tampa Bay Rays Mailbag: Examining the Rule 5 Eligibles

Mar 18, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Taylor Motter (69) at bat against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

As of right now, the most likely outcome for the Tampa Bay Rays is that they will add Snell, Shaffer, Guerrieri, Faria, Motter, Powell, and Marquez to their 40-man roster while designating Butler, Elmore, Beliveau, Gomes, and two of Romero, Riefenhauser, Yates, and Garvin for assignment. That would cost them relief depth, but they can get that back through minor league free agency. The Rays can add more players to their 40-man once they can put Cobb and Smith back on the 60-day DL in the spring.

Overall, it is exciting that the Rays have so many talented players that are worth adding to their 40-man, and several of them are even close to the major leagues. The Rays’ system has gotten a lot better, and even guys who they won’t protect or are thinking of designating for assignment may be able to bring back some value in trades. This fall should be interesting once the deadline to protect players starts approaching, but before then, there is a good chance that we will see Blake Snell and Richie Shaffer make their big league debuts for the Rays in September.

(The next slide is just the one-page view.)

Next: Tampa Bay Rays MiLB Recap: Benton Moss Sharp for Renegades