Submitted by: jdabisch
September 18, 2023
Cubs
| Name | Age | Level | P1 | P2 | Availablility | Years | AFV | Salary | Surplus | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adam | 31 | Majors | RP | High | 3.1 | 14.8 | 13.7 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.4 | |
| Montgomery | 23 | Minors | SP | 6.3 | 5.1 | 6.3 | 7.6 |
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Tauchman isn’t a fit for the Rays. Right now they have 6 outfielders, but they’re likely to trade 1-2 this offseason to free up payroll. The odds on favorites to go would be Margot (100%), Aroz (50%) and Ramirez (60%). All of those guys are right handed, so if the Rays trade 1-2 of them, they’ll be in the market for another right hander. Their top COFs next year are likely to be Raley and Lowe, both LHB, if Aroz is traded. Tauchman looks the part of a decent 4th outfielder though, and that’s the position the Rays would be looking to fill.
I’m starting to think Margot isn’t guaranteed to go cause I think of the Span trade, he was owed less and TB had to basically give away Colome to get rid of him so it makes me wonder how much it’d cost to trade Margot talent wise or if they have to pay $9M of the $11M owed to move him they might as well keep him as the 4th OF, I think Ramirez is pretty likely to go in some form and I think Arozarena is traded so I think if Margot stays they probably wouldn’t have interest in Tauchman, plus they are so thin on pitching idk if they would trade Montgomery without getting starting pitching back.
Ps… if the Rays did trade with Chicago I wouldn’t mind them getting Luis Vasquez in the deal, he’s not listed on here but he’s a good fielding SS that seems to have made adjustments to become a better hitter, not sure how that works with already having Basebe but seems like an interesting quiet move that could pay off.
The Rays tried to trade Margot at the deadline and to upgrade his position with Teoscar Hernandez. I think their attempt to move him speaks volumes of how they see him. It’s not just a salary issue, though his $10MM salary (plus $2MM buyout) is a definite incentive to move him too.
I suppose it is possible the Rays could bring in a lefty 4th outfielder, but that really limits their options next year in platooning situations. Guys like Mead might be see time in LF and would bring a RHB if they do, but with both Lowe and Raley showing the ability to fake it in CF this year, it just seems unlikely the Rays would want their 4th outfielder to be another lefty.
Rays have plenty of trade capital to package in a deal to move Aroz, and they can eat $2-5MM of his salary if necessary.