MLB Free Agency: Biggest Needs for Blue Jays, Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, Rays
Here are the biggest needs for one of the most competitive divisions in baseball: the AL East.NOVEMBER 7 • FOX SPORTS
CHANDLER SIMPSON #14 - CENTER FIELDER - TAMPA BAY RAYS
0 HR •
26 RBI •
.295 AVG
0 HR
26 RBI
.295 AVG
Blue Jays Win AL East Title, Will Face Red Sox-Yankees Winner in NLDS
The Blue Jays roll past the Rays, 13-4, in their regular-season finale to clinch Toronto's first AL East title in a decade.SEPTEMBER 28 • FOX SPORTS
Idle Sunday Simpson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.
Impact Unless he's used off the bench Sunday, Simpson will conclude his rookie season with a .295 average to go with 44 stolen bases, 53 runs and 26 RBI in 109 games. Jake Mangum will enter the lineup as a replacement in center field for Simpson.
SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE
Taking seat Thursday Simpson is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Baltimore.
Impact The Rays are using a right-handed-heavy lineup against Orioles southpaw Cade Povich, so the left-handed-swinging Simpson will grab a seat. Christopher Morel will handle left field and bat cleanup.
SEPTEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE
Lowe and Mangum homer and Rays flirt with no-hitter in 6-2 win over Orioles
Brandon Lowe and Jake Mangum hit solo homers, and the Tampa Bay Rays kept the Baltimore Orioles hitless through the first six innings in a 6-2 victorySEPTEMBER 25 • Associated Press
Posts steal in win Simpson went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 7-3 win over the Red Sox.
Impact Simpson was able to bounce back after an 0-for-5 effort Saturday. The outfielder has 43 steals this season, including five thefts across 19 contests in September. He's added a .299/.331/.349 slash line through 105 contests with 26 RBI, 51 runs scored, 14 doubles and three triples, but the speedy outfielder is still in search of his first home run.
SEPTEMBER 22 • ROTOWIRE
Lowe hits 30th homer as Rays beat Red Sox 7-3 to finish 41-40 at Steinbrenner Field
Brandon Lowe hit his 30th home run of the season and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Boston Red Sox 7-3 to avoid a series sweepSEPTEMBER 22 • Associated Press
Deadspin | Rested Chandler Simpson a key as Rays host Red Sox Deadspin | Rested Chandler Simpson a key as Rays host Red Sox
SEPTEMBER 20 • DEADSPIN.COM
Red Sox play the Rays after Rafaela's 4-hit game
The Boston Red Sox play the Tampa Bay Rays after Ceddanne Rafaela had four hits against the Rays on FridaySEPTEMBER 20 • Associated Press
Idle Friday Simpson is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Red Sox
Impact Simpson will get a breather after making four consecutive starts -- two in center field, two in left. Christopher Morel will patrol left field Friday while Everson Pereira mans center.
SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE
Chandler Simpson's hot streak continues as Baz, Rays blank the Blue Jays
Chandler Simpson had his second straight three-hit game and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-0 to split their seriesSEPTEMBER 18 • Associated Press
Deadspin | 'Level-headed' Chandler Simpson, Rays head into finale vs. Jays Deadspin | 'Level-headed' Chandler Simpson, Rays head into finale vs. Jays
SEPTEMBER 18 • DEADSPIN.COM
'Level-headed' Chandler Simpson, Rays head into finale vs. Jays Tampa Bay Rays rookie outfielder Chandler Simpson drove in the winning run in a three-hit performance and robbed a potential three-run homer...
SEPTEMBER 18 • THENEWSTRIBUNE.COM
Chandler Simpson, Ian Seymour spark Rays over AL-leading Blue Jays Tampa Bay got the winning single from Simpson in the seventh and Seymour delivered seven solid innings.
SEPTEMBER 18 • ORLANDOSENTINEL.COM
Chandler Simpson, Ian Seymour spark Rays' victory vs. AL-leading Blue Jays TAMPA, Fla. - Chandler Simpson was everywhere, and Ian Seymour was locked in as the Rays beat the Bl...
SEPTEMBER 18 • THENEWSTRIBUNE.COM
Blue Jays win streak ends at six as Rays hold Toronto's offence in check Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson stole a three-run home run from Alejandro Kirk, while Ian Seymour held Toronto scoreless through seven inni...
SEPTEMBER 18 • THESTAR.COM
Chandler Simpson robs a homer and drives in go-ahead run as Rays beat Blue Jays 2-1
Rays center fielder Chandler Simpson robbed Alejandro Kirk of a three-run homer and later singled in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning of Tampa Bay’s 2-1 victory over the Toro...SEPTEMBER 18 • Associated Press
Swipes two more bags Simpson went 1-for-4 with a walk, two runs scored and two stolen bases Tuesday against the Blue Jays.
Impact Simpson made an impact on the game with his speed, reaching base on an infield single in the third inning before stealing second base and scoring a run. He followed that up in the ninth frame with a second stolen base, bringing his total on the season to 42 across 101 games -- good for second-most in the league. Simpson is closing the season in strong form, hitting .294 with eight runs scored and four stolen bases in 14 games since Sept. 1.
SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE
Yesavage strikes out 9 in impressive debut, Blue Jays beat Rays 2-1 in 11 innings, open 5-game lead
Trey Yesavage struck out nine to set a Toronto record for a major league debut, and George Springer hit a tiebreaking single in the 11th inning as the Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay...SEPTEMBER 16 • Associated Press
Sitting against southpaw Simpson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.
Impact Simpson started the previous seven games but will take a seat for the series finale in Chicago. The rookie outfielder batted .333 (9-for-27) during that stretch but is without an extra-base hit in his past 17 contests. Christopher Morel is starting in left field and batting cleanup against Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga.
SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE
Christopher Morel homers for the Tampa Bay Rays in return to Wrigley Field
Christopher Morel got a chance to catch up with some old friendsSEPTEMBER 12 • Associated Press
Reaches 40 steals Simpson went 4-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base Thursday against the White Sox.
Impact All four of Simpson's hits were singles, his second multi-hit effort across nine starts in September. He also successfully stole second base in the first inning to tally his 40th swiped bag of the season across only 96 games. While it's been a successful rookie season, Simpson hasn't recorded an extra-base hit across his last 15 games and is hitting only .219 in that span.
SEPTEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE
Simpson leads Rays against the Cubs after 4-hit game
The Tampa Bay Rays play the Chicago Cubs after Chandler Simpson had four hits against the White Sox on ThursdaySEPTEMBER 12 • Associated Press
Sitting Friday Simpson is not in the Rays' starting lineup against the Guardians on Friday.
Impact After going 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Thursday's series opener, Simpson will be on the bench for the beginning of Friday's contest while Richie Palacios starts in left field and bats in the leadoff spot. In the 26 games since returning from the 10-day IL in early August, Simpson has slashed .277/.308/.339 with seven steals, two triples, 14 runs and seven RBI in 117 plate appearances.
SEPTEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE
Yandy Diaz has career-best 5-hit game to help Rays compete series sweep of the Mariners
Yandy Diaz had a career-high five hits to lead the Tampa Bay Rays to a 9-4 win over the Seattle Mariners, completing a three-game series sweepSEPTEMBER 4 • Associated Press
