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Would Rays be Mariners Trade Partner Again?

By Michael Emdeyar
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 20: Brad Miller #13 of the Tampa Bay Rays runs to tag first bass for the out after fielding a ball hit by Eddie Rosario #20 of the Minnesota Twins during the second inning of their game at Tropicana Field on April 20, 2018 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Joseph Garnett, Jr. /Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 20: Brad Miller #13 of the Tampa Bay Rays runs to tag first bass for the out after fielding a ball hit by Eddie Rosario #20 of the Minnesota Twins during the second inning of their game at Tropicana Field on April 20, 2018 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Joseph Garnett, Jr. /Getty Images) /
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Every night I watch the Tampa Bay Rays, I wonder what this team will eventually look like.  Not that I wonder what the team will be in a year, three years, five.  I wonder what it will look like on August 1.

mlbtraderumors.com had a post this afternoon discussing the Seattle Mariners’ options for trade at second base.  They gave a number of options.  For me, they missed an obvious choice. After all, the Rays are one of the Mariners favorite trade partners.

With Robinson Cano out for a minimum of 80 games and the post-season, should there be discussions between the two teams to send Brad Miller back to Seattle? I would argue a loud “yes”!

The Mariners are in contention now.  They want to go to the playoffs this season.  Brad Miller would give them a left-handed bat at second base that they would immediately compete with.

The Rays that play today and tomorrow are not their future team.  A piece here and there will remain.  But, if anyone thinks Brad Miller is part of the Rays’ future, they’re mistaken.  It would seem to me that the Rays have an immediate opportunity to continue to shape the future.

No, I don’t write this thinking this is the best way to get Willy Adames to the majors.  As much as I’d like to see Willy in the Rays lineup, bringing him up to play second base should not be the choice.

The Rays need to continue to mold and shape their roster toward what it could be in the future. One step at a time.  The Rays are using Miller at first base on a timeshare.  CJ Cron is in the lineup daily, rightfully so.  Jake Bauers is waiting in the wings.  He is only waiting for the final trigger to be pulled allowing him to move to the next level.

I don’t even want to target return from the Mariners.  A 20-30 ranked minor league player seems sufficient.  A borderline ready young bullpen arm would be good.

With the 2018 Tampa Bay Rays, I feel continuous roster movement is necessary, with incremental additions being made to the roster that shows glimpses of the future.  Brad Miller is not that.  I’d like to see these favorite trade partners match up and make a move.

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