The Tampa Bay Rays need an expensive and ambitious offseason plan

With Brent Honeywell, Anthony Banda, and Jose De Leon sidelined for parts if not all of 2019 due to Tommy John surgery, it will be important for the Rays to add a third starter. If the Rays plan on reaching the playoffs in 2019, they cannot “bullpen and open” their way there three days out of five.

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Failing to add a third starter would force the bullpen to shoulder a substantial workload and by the time October rolls around they may not be at full strength. Adding a third starter would presumably add stability to the rotation, barring injury or just a bad year on the mound.

I am not overcome with confidence when discussing Jacob Faria as a number three option due to his shaky 2019. I still like the “opener” concept and think that Ryan Yarbrough and Yonny  Chirinos could provide great value in the “bulk” role twice every five days.

Options could include J.A. Happ, Trevor Cahill, Lance Lynn, or Nathan Eovaldi (My preference) and trade options will become more clear as the free agent market for pitchers works itself out.

A rotation with the likes of Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, (and Nathan Eovaldi or Trevor Cahill) with  two “opens”  sprinkled throughout could prove to be one of the top rotations in the league. 

Total Cost: 2 or more years and at least 10 million a year or possible prospects.

2019 Cost: Prospects or at least 10 million.