Tampa Bay Rays Rumors: Colome, Ramirez Drawing Interest
Numerous teams are showing considerable interest in some of the Tampa Bay Rays relievers which could be a prelude to a trade in the coming days.
As the Winter Meetings head into the final day, the Tampa Bay Rays continue in conversations concerning the availability of their players with numerous teams. While no trades are imminent, there is considerable interest from a few teams regarding not only starters, but also some of the Rays relievers.
Joining the conversation on Wednesday were Erasmo Ramirez and closer Alex Colome who have sparked considerable interest. Ramirez was “the subject of conversation” per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
There was some speculation when the salary projections of arbitration eligible players were made available that the Rays would have to make a decision regarding Ramirez.
Arbitration eligible for the first time, Ramirez is projected to make $3.5 million and is on the verge of pricing himself out of the Rays budget.
Having lost out on closer Mark Melancon to the San Francisco Giants, the Washington Nationals are in need of a closer. Per Jon Morosi of MLB.com, the Nationals have contacted the Rays about a possible trade for Alex Colome.
#Rays, #Nationals have discussed closer Alex Colome in trade talks, sources say. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 7, 2016
However, Joel Sherman of the New York Post has a twist on this, that the Rays might actually market Colome once Kenley Jansen and Aroldis Chapman sign. He thinks that the talks are a prelude to a trade.
If you think that the asking price for Chris Archer has been astronomical, just think what Colome will cost. First, he is pre-arbitration eligible, and is under team control for another four years before he is eligible for free agency.
#Rays not hearing what want for Archer much more likely to move Cobb or Smyly. Will see after Chapman/Jansen sign, what is offered on Colome
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 6, 2016
It was a breakout season for Colome as a reliever who landed the closers role due to Brad Boxberger’s injury riddled season. In 57 appearances covering 56-2/3 innings, he struck out 71 and would record 37 saves, while pitching to a 1.91 ERA with 11.3 K/9, 2.4 BB/9 and a 47.1 percent ground-ball rate.
As for the return, Baseball America ranked Washington’s farm system among the top five – however, the question will be whether they’re willing to part with a couple of their top prospects and possibly someone off their 25-man roster to obtain Colome.
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Teams (Cubs, Astros, and Braves etc.) continue to talk with the Rays about some of the starters, in particular Alex Cobb and Drew Smyly who will likely come with a much lower price tag more so than Archer or Jake Odorizzi.
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