Wow, after seeing the numbers all laid out, I wouldn't expect Cruz or Rosario back next year.    Even if they plan to spend up to 100-115 mil, I would expect the majority of that to go towards a new super-utility guy, a back-up SS, one SP, and rounding out the bullpen.    Doesn't leave much room for 10 mil+ sluggers.  

I've been watching the Rays alot this post season. Their starters are great and bullpen is lights out. How is their payroll always so low??

 

I've been watching the Rays alot this post season. Their starters are great and bullpen is lights out. How is their payroll always so low??

They made a very lopsided trade to get Glasnow. They traded Chris Archer with 2 years of Control for Glasnow and Austin Meadows. Archer had 2 years of below league average performance. Glasnow has been very good and they have 3 more years of control. Meadows was great last year but hurt this year. They have 4 more years of control with him. They have always been willing to give up good players with 1-2 years of control for players with 4-5 years of control and/or prospects.

 

They have always been great at drafting and developing SPs. They have also done a great job with other teams cast-offs. They got Nick Anderson from us as well as Curtiss (tonight's opener) and Slegers from us, all of whom we DFAd.

Bauer will be way more than 30 million  unless we're signing him to a 6 year/180 million dollar deal, which I highly doubt he would accept. 

 

Would you offer him 1 year at 43 million? 

 

Anybody have buyers remorse on Josh Donaldson? I do.

 I don't know, I was pretty pumped when the Twins signed him but I thought he had his calf issues figured out. When he played, he was as good as expected. I fully expect him to be the leader of this team when Cruz is gone.  

They have always been great at drafting and developing SPs. They have also done a great job with other teams cast-offs. They got Nick Anderson from us as well as Curtiss (tonight's opener) and Slegers from us, all of whom we DFAd.

All three of these pitchers passed through one or more other organizations after us before reaching the Rays. Anderson was a trade to the Marlins, Curtiss was traded to the Angels, and Slegers was the only one plucked via DFA/waivers (by the Pirates). It stings to not get the benefit after mostly developing them, but these other teams (plus the Phils on Curtiss) whiffed similarly and, unless it's a fluke, the Rays do indeed seem to have some sort of secret sauce.