RBLR Rays Roundtable #23 – Roster Decisions, Internal Bullpen Help, Deadline Reflections
This week, our writers explored the potential candidates who could be replaced by Jonny DeLuca as he continues his rehab, and looked at where some improvements could be made on the roster. We also looked at a couple internal options to galvanize the bullpen, and reflected on a couple of the prospects brought-in at last year’s trade deadline.
Jacob Macauley (@raysfarmreport) : DeLuca Decisions
The Rays are forced to make a challenging decision here as Jonny DeLuca is needed to support a pretty poor defensive outfield group and give the Rays a consistent and steady presence in centerfield. The deadline shortage makes this a fascinating development, putting more of a premium on fringe roster surplus guys like Christopher Morel, Chandler Simpson, and Jose Caballero.
Christopher Morel: Morel profiles as an intriguing trade target with the limited amount of talent that is seemingly available at this year’s deadline. Inefficiency aside, Morel still has flashed plus power at the plate, landing in the 90th percentile in barrel% (14.8%) and a .186 ISO that would land in the 70th percentile amongst qualified hitters this season. With no options, a full-time designated hitter spot being occupied, and poor performance (77 wRC+) in Tampa Bay, Morel presents himself as a relatively cheap, impactful option that the Rays could certainly look to move off the roster, as he has only made 10 starts since June 1. With Caballero playing a plus outfield (4 DRS) and platooning better vs LHP (119 wRC+ as opposed to Morel’s 71) so far this season, and with a 40-man spot needed, it makes Morel getting squeezed off in the form of a DFA/Trade seems pretty reasonable.
Chandler Simpson: Out of spring training, the Rays were very blunt in broadcasting the fact that Jonny DeLuca is the team’s primary centerfielder. With Simpson still not very sound defensively in center (-1 OAA/-4 DRS) and -.6 route below average as well as a reduction in playing time expected, optioning him seems somewhat possible. It’s difficult to justify sending down a player on an 18-game hitting streak and a player who is running a 144 wRC+ since being promoted back to the major leagues, but Simpson hasn’t necessarily improved at the plate. Simpson’s O-Swing% has increased by 1.5% from his 1st to 2nd stint to 30.6% (~30th percentile). It’s awesome to see the results, but if Simpson wants to reach his lofty ceiling, maybe giving him some more run in AAA could help.
José Caballero: If Lowe is healthy and able to provide the Rays a nearly every day 2B, Caballero seems like another possible option to get sent down. Caballero has done a lot for the Rays this season, playing 6 positions and racking up 8 DRS across all 6. He has also provided plus base running (3.5 BSR) and plus production vs LHP (119 wRC+), but since the calendar turned June, he has struggled at the plate. Jose is sporting a 32 wRC+ in that time frame with just a .014 ISO. His Z-Contact% is down 3.5%, and the O-Swing% is up 1.5% showing a fairly dramatic drop off in process (that wasn’t great to begin with). Caballero could also be a sneaky trade target with his plug-and-play nature for some teams as well if the Rays preferred to go in that direction.
Jake Shutters (@JakeShutters) : Rounding-out the roster
On roundtable #18, I discussed how the Rays may not need to address a few different weaknesses at the trade deadline due to impending injury returns. Over a month later, I still believe that to be the case, as the roster has began to come together, and I feel as if the Rays may not be in a position where they need to make a major move to improve most of the roster because of these reasons:
More Impending (?) Returns: The Rays have the following major league pieces on the injured list; Palacios, DeLuca, McClanahan, Bigge, and Rodriguez. DeLuca and McClanahan are currently rehabbing in AAA, and both should hopefully be ready to make an impact on the major league roster in short order. Palacios, Bigge, and Rodriguez are different stories. Palacios has had an interesting year, with lack of public knowledge of what’s taking this long for him to recover from his early knee injury. Rodriguez was re-injured in a rehab game in Durham. Bigge was on a good track, but the foul ball to the face set him back an unknown amount of time. This changes things with how they act this trade deadline.
Emergences: Chandler Simpson has become a force in the Rays lineup in the past month. Since his recall from Durham on 6/24, Simpson is carrying a 138 wRC+ (ranking 6th among all MLB CFs since that date) and a .368 wOBA, along with 8 stolen bases, only trailing Jose Ramirez in that time frame. The defense in CF has been shaky, as you would expect from someone who hasn’t played the position very long, but the return of JDL should move him into a corner spot. Jake Mangum is still producing, as since June 1st, he has a 100 wRC+ with solid defense in the OF and good baserunning. Mangum isn’t someone you want playing every day on a playoff roster, but he is a guy you would love to have as a 4-5th outfielder who can come off the bench in some spots.
Ha Seong Kim has also gotten off to a solid start, as (granted, in a very small sample size) he has had a 47.6% hard hit rate along with a 15.2% whiff rate. The HH% will almost certainly regress back to his career norms, but the positive numbers show that he is locked in at the plate and should be at least a league average hitter with his patented elite defense at SS, a massive upgrade that raises the offensive floor of the group.
Even with these positive developments, more work still needs to be done in my opinion. I believe a left handed RP is a massive need for the Rays, as Garret Cleavinger is the only reliable one in the bullpen as of today. Making a deal for a guy like Danny Coulombe, who I’ve written about previously and has been a weapon out of the bullpen for the Twins, would instantly turn that weakness into a strength. Perhaps the Rays want another high leverage RP to take the load off a somewhat declining Pete Fairbanks and they target a guy like Cade Smith, who Cleveland is taking calls on. It’s hard to predict the Rays at any given trade deadline, but based off recent comments from Erik Neander, I believe the Rays see this year as a massive opportunity to make something happen in October, so I think he will make all the necessary moves to make this opinion a reality.
Seth Hibel (@sethhibel10) : Internal bullpen reinforcements
It is no secret the Rays bullpen has been struggling and there has been a lot of clamoring for a move at the deadline to address this, but I don’t think a trade is necessary – especially if trade prices are anywhere near what they were last year 2024. It is important for the Rays to remain competitive this year but not ruin the deep farm system they currently have that can make a great impact starting as soon as next year. There are three names that come to mind when thinking of bullpen help, Joe Boyle, Drew Rasmussen and potentially Shane McClanahan.
Boyle has recently been announced to be in a long relief role in the bullpen and has shined in his limited appearances at the Major League level this season. Boyle has an elite fastball, neutral splits, and a sub 1 WHIP at AAA (which is another elite mark) – making him a prime candidate to take over some higher leverage situations and help stabilize the bullpen.
Rasmussen as we know is on an innings limit. Rasmussen initially came over to the Rays as a relief pitcher and we have seen him work efficiently and dominantly, posting an elite 1.02 WHP, missing barrels, and inducing a lot of ground balls at a 50.8% rate in the 85th percentile in the league. He is much better against righties compared to lefties, opponent average vs RHH .189 with a 0.85 WHIP but vs LHH .247 average with a 1.23 WHIP.
Now for the very interesting one, McClanahan. He is still rehabbing and there may be a lot of question marks surrounding what he will truly look like when back at the Major League level. Maybe a way to get him effective innings while still being mindful of his arm is to be a shut-down late-inning guy for the final part of this season. Mac is extremely effective against both RHHs and LHHs, so why not put a low inning stress on him where he can still pitch in important situations and work him towards a healthy future where he is on the bump every 5th day?
Dustin Teuton (u/FLBoy19) : Checking-in on some of the prospects acquired last deadline
The MLB trade deadline is less than two weeks away, and as usual, the Rays are likely to do a mix of adding and subtracting from the MLB roster regardless of their record. In 2024, the team dealt four key pieces—Isaac Paredes, Jason Adam, Zack Eflin, and Randy Arozarena—for a mix of MLB talent and prospects. Although maligned by fans, the deals focused on replenishing a farm system that had taken a minor hit after graduating Junior Caminero and Curtis Mead. Here’s how the key returns from the Eflin and Arozarena trades are faring:
Zack Eflin trade – The headliner was Jackson Baumeister, who impressed in his professional debut with a four-pitch mix anchored by a solid fastball/curveball combo. But AA has been a struggle in 2025; he posted a 6.86 ERA and 5.19 FIP over 30 innings before landing on the IL. His above-average fastball still gives him a floor as a future MLB reliever, but his development is on pause.
Also acquired were Mac Horvath and Matthew Etzel. Horvath has excelled as an overaged utility player in High-A, sporting a 122 wRC+, though his ceiling likely remains that of a bench piece. Etzel, now 23, has held his own in AA with a 115 wRC+, 17 steals, and a .360 OBP, flashing speed and on-base skills. This trade ultimately hinges on Baumeister, whose full evaluation won’t come until 2026.
Randy Arozarena trade – This deal added two high-upside prospects. Brody Hopkins has rebounded from an initial poor start in AA and now carries a 28.7% strikeout rate, 3.35 ERA, and 3.50 FIP. With an electric fastball/slider combo and limited pitching experience (he converted from outfield as a college freshman), Hopkins shows maybe the ceiling of a mid-rotation starter, with a floor as a nasty MLB reliever.
The second key piece, outfielder Aidan Smith, brings loud tools: plus raw power, speed, and defense to stay in center field. After initial struggles in High-A against older competition, the 20-year-old has adjusted, lowering his strikeout rate to 31.9% while posting a 111 wRC+, .153 ISO (9 HR), and 23 stolen bases. Smith isn’t dominating yet but is making progress against more advanced pitching. His strikeout rate is concerning, but he is several years younger than the average pitcher he is seeing, how he performs in AA in 2026 will be a major indicator of future MLB success but his ceiling is possibly a 3.5-4 WAR starter.
Overall – Both trades added much-needed depth to the Rays’ farm system. Hopkins could finish the year as a universal Top 100 prospect, while Smith remains a toolsy outfielder with years of development ahead. Etzel and Horvath offer intriguing lottery tickets, and Baumeister’s future hinges on how he bounces back in 2026. Together, these deals bolstered a system that needed fresh upside.
The RBLR Rays Roundtable is a weekly collection of analysis, insight, and perspectives from a cast of writers assembled because of their unique backgrounds and experience. Check this space weekly for new updates and features covering the Tampa Bay Rays, the Rays’ minor league prospects, and more!
