Rays Rumors: Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel talks intensifying

Craig Kimbrel has been connected to the Tampa Bay Rays since Spring Training, but now Dallas Keuchel is too!

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Josh Tolentino reported that the Tampa Bay Rays are interested in both Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel. This may come as news for you, but it shouldn’t be surprising as the Rays’ rotation is already stretched thin with Tyler Glasnow’s injury and the backend of the bullpen isn’t battle tested enough to warrant confidence through a pennant run.

While it would take some time for Keuchel to join the big league rotation, he would bolster and already league best rotation down the stretch and hopefully into October. Kimbrel on the other hand would bolster the backend of the Rays’ pen which has been shaky as of late.

The Rays rely on Jose Alvarado and Diego Castillo to record crucial outs late in games as they feature some of the best stuff in the game, but it never hurts to add a proven closer such as Craig Kimbrel who would again be the active saves leader once he signs with a team.

Pairing Keuchel –the 2015 Cy Young award winner– with the likes of Snell, Morton, and a healthy Glasnow would position the Rays to win the East and make a deep October run.

Could they get both? Sure. Will they get both? Probably not. Will they get one? Hopefully.

Want your voice heard? Join the Rays Colored Glasses team!

Write for us!

Comment below on who you want to see the Rays add, if anyone at all.