Evan Longoria Still Upset Over Losing Logan Forsythe

It has been almost a month since the Tampa Bay Rays traded Logan Forsythe to the Dodgers. That does not mean that Evan Longoria is letting go.

When Evan Longoria had his reaction to the trade of Logan Forsythe, saying that he was “surprised and upset,” it was assumed that was just the spur of the moment thoughts. After all, he has seen quite a few players go through the Rays clubhouse over the years, and knows that is just the nature of the game. With time, Longoria was expected to cool down, and realize that the trade needed to happen.

That has happened, at least to a degree. While he said that he likes the current composition of the Rays, he is still not over the trade. His feelings go beyond the personal level, as he worries about losing Forsythe’s impact on the clubhouse.

“I actually like where we are,” Longoria said. “I don’t know that I’ll ever get over losing Logan, because we got real close and he became one of the clubhouse leaders. So when you take that away, it feels like there’s a much bigger void.”

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It is that leadership aspect that may well be the biggest concern going forward. While Forsythe produced a solid .264/.333/.444 batting line, hitting 20 home runs and 24 doubles, that production could be replaced. However, Forsythe had stepped up as a leader in the locker room, helping to shoulder the burden that a veteran like Longoria carried.

Now, another player will need to step up and fill that void. While Chris Archer is the leader of the pitching staff, Longoria and the Rays may need another player to step into a leadership role. Perhaps it is time for Kevin Kiermaier, who has certainly proven his value in the past few years, to assume that mantle.

This is quite the burden for Longoria to handle with minimal help. He is already being asked to lead, and at times, carry, the offense. Adding those leadership responsibilities with few veterans that are able to help keep the clubhouse in line only adds to the pressure that he is under. The Rays need another player to fill that void.

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It may be almost a month since the trade, but Evan Longoria is not over the loss of his friend. And given his comments, he may never accept that move.