r/tampabayrays

If you haven't yet, be sure to check out our latest episode of the podcast before we release our newest one later today!!

And at this point, Junior might be MLB's best player

Boyle was seemingly going to be the next big thing in the Rays rotation last year when we acquired him. It seemed like a great trade too at the time. Since then, the wheels have completely fallen off for Boyle.

He's pitching to a 10+ ERA in AAA Durham and pitched to 5+ ERA in 2026. His location has been getting worse and his fastball, supposed to be a highlight pitch, became a meatball. He's going to turn 27 in August, which makes me think that this version of Boyle isn't likely to make drastic improvements.

With all the veteran reclamation projects this year and in the past, I have been saddened by the regression across the entire farm system, particularly among pitchers. It really does seem like vets will be the best option for the Rays going forward, especially lacking signs of life from pitchers like Boyle and prospects like Hopkins.

Let's discuss this though because I'm not the biggest watcher of Durham. I follow stats, but I have no frame of reference for an eyetest for Boyle.

Doug is great! Really enjoying Dewayne and Doug tonight. Haven’t had to switch to the radio broadcast for the first time in a long time.

La Maxima! Rays Up!

So it's no secret that the Orioles seem to have blown their chances during the short window they had after 2023. It's also no secret that some of their top players from 2023 like Adley Rutchsman have been struggling a ton since late 2024, and their contracts are up at the end of the year.

How likely do you guys think it is that the Orioles would be willing to trade players like Rutchsman? He's not terribly expensive, young, and has a very high ceiling. The Rays might be able to unlock what the Orioles couldn't. God knows we need good catchers. A slugging Adley with excellent defensive tools could be just what this lineup needs to help make a push in the future.

Given the fact that 2027 will likely be locked out, and the fact that this year the AL is really weak (IIRC only 5 teams have a positive run differential in the AL,) this will probably be the best year for the Rays to make a run for the penant. A WS is a completely different animal, given how it will likely be just the Dodgers winning the NLCS again. But the ALDS and ALCS will likely all be played against weaker teams, assuming the Rays make it that far.

My point is that this year surprisingly is presenting the Rays with a rare opportunity for a deep playoff run, but it's no secret that the lineup and roster has holes in it. A player like Rutschman could be a massive boon for the Rays at a relatively cheap cost. And if the 2027 season is going to be locked out, that gives the Rays FO more time to work on the farm before 2028.

What do you guys think?

I did a brief write up of players in deadline talks the Rays could use to help during playoff time.

Skubal, Ward, and Jeffers specifically. Let me know what you think!