Rays projected to move key starter in unpopular trade proposal

The Tampa Bay Rays are a team that is no stranger to trading players and capitalizing on their value. They made plenty of deals at the 2024 trade deadline, acting mainly as sellers.

The team finished 80-82 and fell short of the postseason. This winter, more deals could potentially follow as they try to retool for 2025.

Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report listed unpopular trade scenarios for each team. For the Rays, Rymer predicts that they will trade left-hander Jeffrey Springs.

"These are the Rays we're talking about. Nobody should rule them out from trading anyone, ever. That's just how they roll. And this winter, it seems more likely that they'll subtract from their pitching depth in an attempt to improve their offense," Rymer wrote. "Springs is the most logical candidate to go, and not just because his salary will double from $5.3 million this year to $10.5 million in 2025.

Though he was sidelined for over a year after Tommy John surgery in April 2023, he has a 2.59 ERA to his name as a starter for the Rays. They may be able to spare him, but you can bet other teams will treat him as a rare find if he's made available."

Springs is certainly an interesting trade candidate. Since being acquired from the Boston Red Sox, the veteran left-hander has been a solid starter for Tampa Bay.

If he's made available, he might have a good deal of suitors. The Rays were lacking in offense this past season and full of pitching depth, so it would make sense to trade a pitcher in order to bolster their lineup.

This season, Springs made just seven starts, going 2-2 with a 3.27 ERA. He pitched only 33 innings after returning from his Tommy John surgery.

We'll see if the Rays ultimately decide to trade him.

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