Tampa Bay Rays: Best of December at RCG

The month of December was a busy one that saw the Tampa Bay Rays make a splash at the Winter Meetings and a pair of three team trades. Jake Bauers is gone but Charlie Morton and Yandy Diaz have arrived. Here is some of the best content from Rays Colored Glasses this month:

In total, the Tampa Bay Rays added a handful players that will have an impact in 2019 and beyond. Charlie Morton will be here at least through 2020 while Yandy Diaz and Emilio Pagan could be here  three times as long. Of the following articles, 3 discuss the impact signing and multiple trades.

Tampa Bay Rays sign Morton and solidify their rotation

“What we do know is that Snell, Morton and Glasnow are some of the hardest throwing starters in baseball with some of the best curveballs in baseball. They could combine to lead the Tampa Bay Rays to their first postseason appearance since 2013. Morton is a great addition to the rotation, adding power, leadership, and reliability”

Rays trade for Diaz raises more questions than answers

“In what was surely an unsettling announcement for most Tampa Bay Rays fans, Jake Bauers was traded away for Yandy Diaz and Cole Sulser. Yes, “Light Tower” Bauers was traded away. Yes, it stings. Yes, it may confuse Rays fans, but it was a good trade.”

Reaction: Rays trade for reliever Emilio Pagan

“In essence the Rays added yet another controllable piece to the puzzle going forward in Pagan and cleared room to add Charlie Morton to the roster. They will hope for the best with Rollie Lacy and look towards the 2019 draft to replace Burke.”

Rays Christmas Wish list

“The Tampa Bay Rays have been rumored to be in on a few different hitters, some mentioned above, but you can not forget about who you throw out on the bump. Would Rays GM Erik Neander pull the trigger on bounce-back candidate Cody Allen? Could Zach Britton even be a possibility?”

Rays Trade targets: Jose and Carlos Martinez

“Making a move for both Jose and Carlos Martinez could prove to be very fruitful as the Rays look to compete with the Red Sox and Yankees in 2019 and beyond. Both players come with years of control and at a relatively cheap price.”

Ranking the Rays 4 newest prospects

“So with that in mind, I have already broken down each of the new prospects, and now I want to rank them just as one would rank a system’s top 30. The prospect with the highest ranking, obviously, in my opinion, is the most talented and has the most to contribute at the major league level whenever that may come.”

McKay and Dodson leading the way

“Ohtani is leading the way at the Major League Level and forging a path for McKay and Dodson, but the athletic and versatile Rays prospects are forging the path for future prospects and 2-way players to not only pitch but to also play the field.

As a result, soon, more 2-way players may remain as such and not choose between pitching and hitting after they are drafted. Let’s take a look at the pair of Rays prospects who could bring tons of value to Tampa’s roster in the coming years…”

Pham calls out Rays fans

This is not the first time Tommy Pham has had tension within an organization, as his budding heads with the St. Louis front office is what got him on the trading block according to some reports.

Thank you again Rays fans for your continued support of Rays Colored Glasses. We expect January to be a big month at RCG as we are looking to debut a podcast and kick things back into gear as the holidays are over.

Keep an eye out for more information regarding the podcast which will cover all things Tampa Bay Rays baseball and their foes in the AL East. Happy New Years Rays fans!