Recapping the Rays rumors swirling at the Winter Meetings

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 09: Dellin Betances #68 of the New York Yankees throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the seventh inning in Game Four of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 09, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

The Dellin Betances Rumors:

While the Yankees have reached out to Betances about a return to the Bronx, it is believed that the Rays have as well.

Jack Curry, an analyst at YES network, tweeted this out:

Betances is likely to sign 1-year deal to boost his value after a lost 2019. Yanks have engaged w/ him. Keep an eye on Tampa Bay, too. Also, FWIW, one of Beltran’s friends held a congratulatory dinner after he got the Mets job. The only active player who attended was Betances.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) December 9, 2019

Their interest should come as no surprise as even MLBTR had the Rays signing the reliever for 7M over one year. The Rays are no stranger to signing pitchers looking to rebuild their value over the course of a single season “buy-low” contract. Betances essentially lost all of 2019 due to a multitude of injuries to his right shoulder, lat, and Achilles.

Betances though, has a rather successful track record to look back upon when negotiating his deal. He is only a year removed from a very solid 2018 season during which he appeared in 66 games and threw 66.2 innings. He struck out a whopping 115 batters and only walked 26. His 2.70 ERA, 2.47 FIP, and 156 ERA+ were also very good.

He made four straight all-star appearances spanning from 2014 to 2017 during which time he struck out 492 batters across 306.2 IP with an ERA+ of 196. Bullpen help is always welcomed and if healthy, he addition could provide the Rays with one of the best bullpens in the game, if not the best.