5 Early Trade Targets for the Tampa Bay Rays

Midway through the month of May, teams around the league begin to take a look at where there club is in the current standings and seeds are planted of whether the team may end up being a buyer or a seller. While it's typically a little bit early for teams to make major moves, "selling" clubs will begin to identify trade markets for their valuable pieces, while contenders will create shortlists of guys who could fill holes on their ballclub going forward.

The Tampa Bay Rays are an organization that often goes against the grain, making analytically driven trades and capitalizing on their own high valued assets while taking advantage of other team's players that may be had at a good price. The club will sell high on the likes of Blake Snell and then rely on older pitchers who were thought to be paste their prime, or new waves of prospects to take over. And then every once in awhile, the club suprises the baseball world with a pursuit of the likes of Freddie Freeman.

Tampa Bay is clearly a contender once again, with hopes to make a run at a World Series title. There are many contenders across the league who are internally debating whether their club is just off to a slow start due to the dead ball this year and shortened Spring Training, or if moves need to be made. Regardless, the Rays would be wise to look into these 5 options as trade targets in the near future.

Target #2 - David Price

Everyone loves a good homecoming story, and it may not seem like it on the surface, but a return to Tampa Bay is a match made in heaven for the club and left hander David Price.

Price has only thrown 4.2 innings so far this year but has an ERA of 1.93 and it appears that the Dodgers are willing to work with him to find a trade destination where he can start games again. Price, who has struggled since the 2018 season, would provide the Rays another veteran option for their pitching staff and would fit well within the low innings usage that manager Kevin Cash lives by.

For a club that has had countless injuries to their pitching staff, having another veteran arm would go a long way in providing depth for the roster. With so many young arms being relied on as well, Price's veteran presence could have a lasting impact on pitchers like Shane McClanahan and Shane Baz.

Price is owed $32 million this season, but half of that is already being paid by the Boston Red Sox. The Los Angeles Dodgers would surely eat up a major chunk of the $16 million owed to price by them, meaning he would not come at a huge price tag for the payroll. And how satisfying would it be for the Red Sox to be paying $16 million this season for a guy contributing to this Rays ballclub?

Target #3 - Luis Castillo

Luis Castillo has been a hot name on the trade market for a few years now, but 2022 looks like the year the Reds finally cash in on this asset.

Castillo has not pitched much in 2022 due to injury, but is coming off a bounce back two year stretch with the Cincinnati Reds. Castillo owns a career ERA of 3.74 as well as a strikeout per 9 of 9.8. When Castillo is on, he can match up with almost any pitcher in baseball.

Adding the high ceiling of Castillo to a rotation that features McClanahan, Ryan Yarbrough, Drew Rasmussen, Corey Kluber, and the eventual returns of Baz and Luis Patino could create a deadly playoff rotation.

There are two concerns with pursuing a guy like Castillo. First, the Reds have held onto him for a reason, they want good value. The Rays of all teams are one who can afford to dip into their prospect pool, as they are consistently pumping out guys and are running out of positions to put them.

The other issue comes with Castillo's health. Throughout his career, the right hander has struggled to stay healthy, and the Rays already have a lot of arms that have the same issue. If the right deal lines up though, this could pay off huge for the ballclub.

Target #4 - Andrew Benintendi

Since coming over to the Kansas City Royals in 2021, Andrew Benintendi has recovered hit plus hit tool and solid glove that made him an exciting prospect for the Red Sox in the mid-2010s.

Benintendi has started off 2022 slashing .314/.371/.415 in 132 PA with an OPS+ of 133. With the Rays outfield mostly underperforming outside of Manuel Margot, Benintendi would provide the club with a consistent on base machine in the lineup everyday.

Benintendi should not cost the club a ton in value either as he is an impending free agent. The club would probably be delaying the return of Josh Lowe to the roster or need to make some hard decisions on Kevin Kiermaier or Brett Phillips, but time is ticking and the need is clearly there.

Target #5 - David Peralta

Off to a slow start in 2022, Arizona's David Peralta would be a nice buy low candidate to see if he can catch fire for the Tampa Bay Rays outfield.

Peralta has been one of the league's most consistent bats since entering in 2014, with a career slash line of .283/.341/.461. While his best days at the plate seem to be behind him, his ability to get on base could be revitalized on a new, contending club. Peralta still shows a lot of fight in his came, evidence by his 2-run homer in the 9th against the Dodgers on May 17th.

Like Benintendi, Peralta is a free agent come seasons end, and with the Diamondbacks promoting top prospect Alek Thomas and others to the big leagues, they may be incentivized to clear more space for their young bats.