{"id":21352,"date":"2019-06-26T11:30:15","date_gmt":"2019-06-26T15:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/\/?p=21352"},"modified":"2019-06-26T11:30:15","modified_gmt":"2019-06-26T15:30:15","slug":"potential-tampa-bay-rays-bullpen-targets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2019\/06\/26\/potential-tampa-bay-rays-bullpen-targets\/","title":{"rendered":"Potential Tampa Bay Rays Bullpen Targets"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Tampa Bay Rays<\/a> were reportedly the runners up<\/a> for the services of seven-time All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel<\/a><\/strong>. Kimbrel decided to sign with the Chicago Cubs<\/a> instead, and now the Rays must look elsewhere for bullpen help. Jose Alvarado<\/a><\/strong> should soon return after being away from the team for nearly a month due to personal reasons, but Diego Castillo<\/a><\/strong> is now on the injured list with shoulder inflammation after going through some recent struggles.<\/p>\n

There’s little doubt that relief pitching is right at the top of Tampa Bay’s trade wish list. Today, let’s take a look at some of the pitchers the Rays will likely be discussing leading up to the July 31 trade deadline.<\/p>\n

Potential Tampa Bay Rays Bullpen Targets<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Will Smith<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Perhaps no other player in baseball is as certain to be dealt by the trade deadline as Will Smith<\/a><\/strong>. Smith is a dominant closer on a last-place San Francisco Giants<\/a> team and will be a free agent after the season. Smith, along with Madison Bumgarner<\/a><\/strong> (who could also be of interest to the Rays<\/a>), is one of San Francisco’s top trade chips.<\/p>\n

The 29-year-old lefty has a 2.01 ERA, 2.10 FIP, and 0.77 WHIP in 32 appearances this year. He’s converted all 20 of his save opportunities, and has struck out 47 batters in 31 1\/3 innings, good for a rate of 13.50 per nine innings. There will be plenty of interest in Smith, so he won’t come cheaply, even if he’s a rental. He’d be a huge addition to Tampa Bay’s bullpen, though.<\/p>\n

Ken Giles<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>