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Tampa Bay Rays: Fake GM Simulation Update

By Austin Reimann
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 6: Tampa Bay Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg speaks to members of the media before the start of the Rays' Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on April 6, 2015 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 6: Tampa Bay Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg speaks to members of the media before the start of the Rays' Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles on April 6, 2015 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Pitcher Jon Gray #55 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the first inning of the MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Pitcher Jon Gray #55 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the first inning of the MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

I just recently wrote a column about why the Tampa Bay Rays would benefit from trading for Jon Gray. When I asked Rockies “GM” what it would take to get the former #3 overall pick, the answer was simply C.J. Cron.

I couldn’t pass that up. 3 years of control for Cron, who they were expected to move anyways, if not non-tender in the coming weeks. But, the Rockies are in need of a first baseman and Cron’s power could play very well in the Rocky Mountains.

Jon Gray had a disappointing year in 2018 finishing with a 5.12 ERA and an underwhelming ERA+ of 92. The mediocrity that has surrounded the once assumed ace was magnified in 2018. His 2018 season may act as the straw that broke the camel’s back, and if it does, the Rays should look to pounce on him just as I did in this simulation.

Gray offers a ton of potential with a wicked slider and an electric mid 90’s fastball. He just simply hasn’t lived up to the expectations yet. Maybe things will change with a change of scenery.

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