Trade, Keep, Build Around: 3 Tampa Bay Rays with 3 Different Outcomes

Trade: Kevin Kiermaier

This trade may be a bit overdue for the Rays, and will not net the same kind of value as some of their other high profile deals have, but center fielder Kevin Kiermaier should be sent to another contender in the league before the trade deadline.

Over the course of his 10 seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, Kiermaier has slashed .247/.307.408 while being arguably the best defensive centerfielder in baseball during that stretch, achieving 3 Gold Gloves along the way. After being a stable for this club for sometime, playing time needs to be cleared for some of the Rays up and comers.

After a hot stretch earlier this season, Kiermaier still sits at a lowly .618 OPS for the club, but still provides that elite defense that makes him so valuable. Contenders like the Astros, White Sox, Guardians, Mets, Phillies, and Braves may be interested in adding some outfield depth with an acquisition of Kiermaier, and the Rays should explore and execute on a trade soon.