The Tampa Bay Rays Are In The Perfect Position To Land Ketel Marte
The Tampa Bay Rays have been busy this winter, as they look to get back to the playoffs next season. After trading Starting Pitcher Shane Baz to the Baltimore Orioles for multiple prospects, the Tampa Bay Rays are in striking distance of landing Arizona Diamondbacks Second Baseman Ketel Marte.
Rays Can Make a Splash
Tampa was able to pull off a blockbuster trade for Baz, who wasn’t even their best pitcher. In exchange for Baz, they received Slater de Brun (No. 6), Caden Bodine (No. 10), Michael Forret (No. 11), Austin Overn (No. 30), and a competitive balance pick. Already boasting one of baseball’s premier farm systems, the Rays are now infusing even more young talent from Baltimore into their pipeline.
With Marte on the trading block and the Diamondbacks seeking young, controllable pitching, the Rays are an ideal trade partner. The recent trade of Brandon Lowe in a three-team deal to the Pirates has created a clear opening at second base. As Jon Morosi noted on MLB Network:
“This is not the culmination of the offseason; this is a portal to what might be coming down the line.”
The reality is that while the Rays acquired a wealth of talent from the Orioles, most of those prospects are still a few years away from making an impact. Tampa isn’t in a position to wait for its young players to develop; they want to return to contention in the American League now. To keep pace in the competitive AL East, the Rays need to make a bold move, and Marte would be a seamless fit for their roster.
Tampa Makes Perfect Sense For Marte
No team outside of the Rays can offer Arizona a stronger package for Marte. Leading names in a potential deal include RHP Brody Hopkins, RHP Anderson Britto, and SS Daniel Pierce, Tampa’s first-round pick from last year’s draft. With the second overall selection in the upcoming Draft, Tampa is perfectly positioned to secure a franchise shortstop in 17-year-old Grady Emerson.
Acquiring Marte wouldn’t strain the Rays financially or cost excessive prospect capital. Marte would bring valuable veteran leadership to their young lineup, joining franchise talents like Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda. He is also a proven postseason performer who played a pivotal role in the Diamondbacks’ memorable playoff run a few years ago.
If their pitching staff comes together, the Rays could be a dangerous team next season. Manager Kevin Cash consistently gets the best out of his players and fields a competitive team, regardless of the roster’s talent level.
