ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Mediocrity can be, and has been, rewarded in Major League Baseball. Three wild-card teams join three division winners in what has been a watered-down postseason since the third wild card was added in 2022.
The Diamondbacks were a game below .500 following a loss to Colorado last August 14. They clinched a wild card spot when the Reds lost to the Cardinals on the penultimate day of the regular season. The Diamondbacks needed help thanks to concluding the season with four straight losses to finish an unimpressive 84-78. Torey Lovullo’s team won the National League pennant before losing to the Rangers in the World Series. Both teams got hot when it mattered most.
Read: Tampa Bay Rays Return Home After Bats Came Alive On 5-4 Trip
At least the Marlins, who finished with the same record as Arizona, clinched a wild-card spot by winning. A victory at Pittsburgh in Game No. 160 did the trick. Miami was a game below .500 on August 30 before going 17-11 in September.
That brings us to the Rays. A game under .500 (40-41) at the season’s halfway point, the Rays are only four games out in what is a crowded wild-card field.
The trade deadline is July 31 and if the Rays keep within a couple of games of the final wild-card spot, they could be buyers. If so, don’t expect much. Rather, in typical Rays fashion they would likely add a piece or two. If so, they will be sure not to give away a promising prospect like they did in 2021 when Joe Ryan, who has flourished for Rocco Baldelli in the Minnesota’s rotation, was dealt to the Twins for a 40-year-old Nelson Cruz.
Should the Rays continue to bump along within the logjam of wild-card hopefuls without making any notable progress in the month leading up to the deadline, maybe the decision will be to shed parts (and salaries) for prospects.
Read: Jose Siri Coming Through In Clutch For Tampa Bay Rays
Indeed, the 2024 Rays are good enough to hang and emit hope. Yet, any serious contention seemingly will have to wait until next season when Shane McClanahan returns and Jeffrey Springs, Drew Rasmussen and Shane Baz, the trio due to return this summer, are ready for a full season. Who knows about Wander Franco, though Junior Caminero could be ready.
The Rays may place all of their eggs in the basket labeled 2025. That could mean shedding Zach Eflin and the $18 million he is owed in the final year of a team-record three-year, $40-million pact. It could also mean moving the oft-injured Brandon Lowe instead of picking up the $10.5-million club option for next year. Randy Arozarena will be arbitration eligible after making $8.1 million this season. Decisions, decisions.
The current group, and certainly manager Kevin Cash and his staff, are to be applauded for hanging tough and defying the odds that include a 21-24 home record, no starting pitcher with more than four wins and their most popular player (Arozarena) not having hit as high as .200 since April 12.
The next couple of weeks could tilt the needle in either direction. Then again, maybe not. If the Rays are no closer while not having lost any more ground on the final wild-card spot, what does vice president of baseball operations Erik Neander do? Decisions, decisions.
One thing is for sure and that is the second half gets underway Friday night against the visiting Nationals (38-42), who are in town for a three-game weekend series. Eflin (3-5, 4.20) will be opposed by rookie southpaw Mitchell Logan (5-3, 3.30) in the series opener.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.