Rays projected to land Mariners star to bolster lineup for 2025

The Tampa Bay Rays are a team that is unlikely to reach the postseason this coming October, which means they will soon have to turn their focus to 2025 and beyond.

The Rays are a team that also operates on a tight budget and works to keep their roster fresh and young by trading away veteran players and receiving Major League-ready talent in exchange.

They could ultimately employ the same strategy this offseason and find other players to address their holes. When projecting their Opening Day lineup for 2025, Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report included Jorge Polanco as their starting second baseman.

"A series of events in which the Mariners decline their club option on Jorge Polanco, the Rays exercise their option on Brandon Lowe, and the Rays then trade Lowe to the Mariners for prospect and finally sign Polanco for less than the $10.5 million club option they have on Lowe is just convoluted enough to work," Reuter wrote.

Obviously, a lot would have to happen for this to work out, but it's not impossible. The Rays are a team that operates in such a way, and they are usually able to make it work.

Polanco isn't having his best season with the Seattle Mariners. The veteran second baseman is hitting just .204 with 14 home runs, 39 RBI, and a poor .643 OPS. Therefore, he likely won't be the most expensive free agent.

Still, he is a switch hitter who possesses some power and could benefit from a change of scenery, as well as help give the Rays a nice offensive boost.

While this series of events may seem far-fetched, it is entirely possible that the Rays could load up on prospects by trading Lowe before ultimately adding another veteran presence in Polanco.

More MLB: Mariners projected to land Rays star in trade this offseason