Report: Rays' Wander Franco Summoned by Police for Questioning amid Investigation
Dec 27, 2023
ST PETERSBURG, FL - JULY 4: Wander Franco #5 of the Tampa Bay Rays stands at the plate during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Tropicana Field on July 4, 2023 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Rays star Wander Franco was requested to appear Thursday before authorities in the Dominican Republic for questioning, according to ESPN's Enrique Rojas and Juan Arturo Recio (via Jeff Passan of ESPN).
The 2023 All-Star is the subject of multiple complaints in the country regarding an alleged relationship with a minor. MLB and the players' union agreed to place him on administrative leave in August.
Dominican newspaper Listín Diario (via Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times) reported Tuesday that officials from the Santo Domingo Prosecutor's Office for Children and Adolescents searched two homes in the hope of locating the 22-year-old to no avail.
Franco last played for the Rays in a 6-5 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Aug. 12. Before that, he was in the midst of a career year with 17 home runs, 30 stolen bases and an .819 OPS in 112 games.
Widely considered one of the top prospects in baseball, Franco made his MLB debut June 2021. That November, he signed an extension that included $182 million guaranteed over 11 years, which is the biggest contract in franchise history.
Players on administrative leave continue to get paid and accrue service time while they're ineligible to play. Tampa Bay reinstated Franco in November but only because the administrative leave designation is reserved for the regular season. He remains under investigation by MLB.
MLB Rumors: Dodgers to Trade for Rays' Tyler Glasnow, Pending Contract Extension
Dec 15, 2023
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 31: Tyler Glasnow #20 of the Tampa Bay Rays in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 31, 2023 in Bronx borough of New York City. The Rays defeated the Yankees 5-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Dodgers are cooking this offseason.
The Tampa Bay Rays are trading starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow and outfielder Manuel Margot to the Dodgers, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan, in exchange for starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot and outfield prospect Jonny Deluca.
Per that report, "the deal is contingent on Glasnow signing a contract extension with Los Angeles, which the parties are hopeful will happen by Friday, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN." Glasnow is scheduled to make $25 million in 2024 before an extension would kick in.
Given the Rays' general payroll approach, many wondered whether they'd cash out now rather than risk losing him for a minimal return—a compensatory draft pick if he declined the qualifying offer.
Passan reported on Nov. 14 that the Rays were "widely expected to move" Glasnow. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic also broke down the situation:
A potential free agent of Glasnow's quality normally brings back quality prospects at the deadline, and that's without the possibility of draft-pick compensation. The Rays, then, likely will drive a hard bargain, particularly because Glasnow's best days might be ahead of him. His elbow ligament first began failing in 2019. He avoided the injury list in the shortened 2020 season but will start next season almost three years removed from his surgery in '21.
Even leaving Tampa Bay's typically thrifty spending aside, there was some curiosity as to whether a team trading for Glasnow might balk at giving him a big, multiyear contract.
The 30-year-old is unquestionably a top-end starter when he's healthy, but that has consistently been a big qualifier. He has made 20-plus starts just once in his career and eclipsed 100 innings on two occasions.
Glasnow didn't make his 2023 debut until a May 27 start against the Dodgers because of an oblique strain. Back spasms briefly took him out of the rotation later in the season as well.
The right-hander was excellent when he did pitch. He went 10-7 with a 3.53 ERA and a 2.91 FIP over 120 innings, and his 162 strikeouts were a career high. His best outing came in a 3-1 win over the Boston Red Sox on Sept. 6, when he allowed one earned run on three hits and fanned 14 batters across six innings.
Glasnow is a clear high-risk, high-reward addition for the Dodgers.
Were he to navigate an entire season unscathed, he'd likely be a strong Cy Young candidate. Since his trade to the Rays midway through the 2018 season, he sported a 3.20 ERA and 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings. From 2019 on, Glasnow is second among starters in FIP (2.89) and fifth in WHIP (1.01), per FanGraphs.
In an offseason that featured some notable free agents, this trade could be the most impactful move centered around a pitcher.
Of course, that hinges on Glasnow dodging the injury trouble that has dogged him for years, and that's far from a guarantee.
Shohei Ohtani will eventually feature on the mound for the Dodgers, but that's unlikely to happen in 2024 thanks to his elbow surgery in the fall. The team needs more immediate reinforcements to a rotation that saw Clayton Kershaw, Lance Lynn and Julio Urías hit free agency.
Glasnow serves as a very nice solution.
MLB Trade Rumors: Rays' Tyler Glasnow Has Drawn 'Serious' Offers from 4-5 Teams
Dec 5, 2023
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 31: Tyler Glasnow #20 of the Tampa Bay Rays in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 31, 2023 in Bronx borough of New York City. The Rays defeated the Yankees 5-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Rays ace Tyler Glasnow is the subject of "at least four or five 'serious' offers," according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.
Glasnow has a $25 million salary for 2024 before hitting free agency next winter, and his expiring contract has led many to speculate about his future with the Rays.
Lots of trade chatter about Tyler Glasnow this offseason. Two execs told me they believe Tampa Bay will “definitely” move its ace, who is set to earn $25 million in 2024.
For Tampa Bay, the difficulty may not stem from a lack of interest but instead with how much the team can get back in return.
His sizable earnings for the upcoming year and impending free agency could dissuade some suitors. That's an issue the San Diego Padres are running into as it relates to a potential Juan Soto trade.
Glasnow's durability will be another area of concern for prospective trade partners. Only once in five full seasons with the Rays did he eclipse 20-plus starts and 100-plus innings.
When healthy, the right-hander has performed at an elite level. In 71 appearances with the Rays, he has a 3.20 ERA and a 3.10 FIP while averaging 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings. Since the start of the 2018 season, when he was dealt to Tampa Bay midway through the year, his 2.87 xFIP is the second-best in MLB, per FanGraphs.
As much as Glasnow will cost in terms of salary and trade assets, that price is still much lower than what it will take to sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Blake Snell, the two top pitchers in free agency. Aaron Nola got $172 million to return to the Philadelphia Phillies.
For a contending team, acquiring Glasnow would be worth the risk.
MLB Trade Rumors: Rays, Mariners Have Discussed Isaac Paredes, Randy Arozarena Deals
Dec 3, 2023
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 04: Randy Arozarena #56 of the Tampa Bay Rays prepares to bat in the first inning against the Texas Rangers during Game Two of the Wild Card Series at Tropicana Field on October 04, 2023 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
With the stove starting to heat up in Nashville amid the start of the MLB Winter Meetings, it appears that the Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays may be a couple of the biggest players over the next few days.
The two sides have already begun talking about a possible deal for Rays' infielder Issac Paredes. It also appears that All-Star outfielder Randy Arozarena is available and that his name has come up in trade talks, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.
Morosi reported earlier Sunday that Paredes was a name to watch as he is arbitration-eligible and that both Seattle and the Toronto Blue Jays appeared to be interested in the 24-year-old.
It's not hard to see why Paredes has become of interest to teams that are on the precipice of title-contention. He could be a nice building-block to either of those squads—each of which have young, talented lineups.
Paredes hit .250 in 2023 with 31 homers in 2023.
As for Arozarena, he's coming off one of the best calendar years of his career, making his first All-Star game after having an incredible run in the World Baseball Classic with Mexico.
Several teams have contacted Tampa Bay regarding the 28-year-old as he's projected to earn $9 million in 2024, nearing the point where the Rays typically trade their best players before they get too expensive.
The organization currently has $125 million on the books and is looking to cut down on that to get its payroll closer to a number it is comfortable with, per CBS Sports' Mike Axisa and R.J. Anderson.
The franchise record for payroll is $84 million set in 2022.
Arozarena could help bring in a big trade haul while cutting down on that payroll.
Seeking fits for Rays ace Tyler Glasnow on the MLB trade market.
Rays' Randy Arozarena Named One of GQ's 2023 Men of the Year
Nov 25, 2023
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 04: Randy Arozarena #56 of the Tampa Bay Rays prepares to bat in the first inning against the Texas Rangers during Game Two of the Wild Card Series at Tropicana Field on October 04, 2023 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Following another sensational campaign with the Tampa Bay Rays, Randy Arozarena was named one of GQ's Men of the Year for 2023.
The charismatic outfielder started 2023 off in style as he helped lead Mexico on an improbable run to the World Baseball Classic semifinals and was the catalyst for the squad both at the plate and with his glove—making a number of highlight reel plays.
Arozarena was arguably the breakout player of the tournament.
The 28-year-old then followed that up with probably the best season of his career, batting .254/.364/.425 with a career-high 23 homers and 83 RBI. He was also selected to his first All-Star game.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 03: Tyler Glasnow #20 of the Tampa Bay Rays looks on in the first inning against the Texas Rangers during Game One of the Wild Card Series at Tropicana Field on October 03, 2023 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Rays ace Tyler Glasnow is likely on his way out of Tampa.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported the righty is likely to be traded this offseason.
Lots of trade chatter about Tyler Glasnow this offseason. Two execs told me they believe Tampa Bay will “definitely” move its ace, who is set to earn $25 million in 2024.
It is not particularly surprising given Tampa's history of dealing players once they become remotely known and eclipse the $20 million threshold, nor will it shock anyone that teams in need of starting pitching will be interested in acquiring Glasnow.
One such team, the St. Louis Cardinals, have made it abundantly clear that they are focusing on pitching this offseason.
President of baseball operations John Mozeliak said in July that their primary focus would be, "Pitching. Pitching. Pitching," wrote Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in October. It was in that same piece that Goold reported the Cardinals would reach out to the Rays if Glasnow became available amid his ballooning contract.
On the heels of signing former Oriole Kyle Gibson to a one-year, $12 million deal and bringing back Lance Lynn on a $10 million contract, Mozeliak told The Athletic's Katie Woo that the team intends to explore the trade market.
"We have not explored the trade market much to date. We'll probably take a deeper dive into that as we start to approach Winter Meetings. But we don't think we're finished at this point."
Nor should they be.
The Cardinals' pitching, both starting and its rotation, was abysmal in 2023.
St. Louis ranked seventh-worst in team ERA at 4.79 and fourth-worst in team WHIP at 1.46. That position almost single-handedly kept them out of playoff contention and resulted in the worst season Cards fans have experienced since 1999 and first 90-loss season since 1990.
Glasnow started 21 games for the Rays and went 10-7 with an ERA of 3.53, a WHIP of 1.08, and a WAR of 2.0. It was not his best season with the franchise, but he was still an ace and one of the best pitchers in the American League.
He would enhance the Cardinals rotation and instantly be the best of the bunch. He would resume his status as an ace and, with Gibson and Lynn, provide the team a solid one-two-three that it simply did not have a season ago.
St. Louis have prospects to deal in return, too.
Pedro Pagés is a talented young catcher but the Cardinals have a logjam at the position and second baseman Nick Dunn finally looked the part of a potential major leaguer in 2023 after kicking around the minor league system for years.
There are others, including some talented righties, so the Rays would not simply be giving Glasnow away to the first team that is willing to take him off their hands.
The Cardinals have the offensive pieces to make a legitimate postseason run. Paul Goldschmidt is still Paul Goldschmidt despite a dropoff in numbers in 2023, Nolan Arenado was an All-Star in 2023, Lars Nootbaar hit 14 homers with a 3.3 WAR, and Jordan Walker showed tremendous upside, even if he has some work to do defensively.
If the team can put together a rotation, and back it up with some quality bullpen additions, St. Louis will absolutely compete for the NL Central title.
Adding a reliable, quality ace like Glasnow makes it that much easier to do so.
MLB Trade Rumors: Rays' Tyler Glasnow 'Widely Expected' to Be Moved During Offseason
Nov 14, 2023
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 16: Tyler Glasnow #20 of the Tampa Bay Rays looks on before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 16, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Tyler Glasnow's time with the Tampa Bay Rays could come to an end this winter.
The Rays are "widely expected" to trade Glasnow this offseason, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. He's due $25 million in 2024 before becoming an unrestricted free agent.
The Rays enter 2024 with an estimated payroll of $126 million, which would be a club record, according to FanGraphs. Tampa Bay has never had a payroll higher than $84 million, so it's no surprise the club could part ways with Glasnow.
Glasnow has spent the last five and a half years of his career in Tampa Bay, though he underwent a hybrid Tommy John/internal brace procedure to repair his right elbow in August 2021 and appeared in just two games during the 2022 season.
The 30-year-old had a solid 2023 campaign for the Rays despite missing time with a strained left oblique, posting a 10-7 record with a 3.53 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 162 strikeouts in 120 innings.
In 71 career starts with the Rays, Glasnow is 27-16 with a 3.20 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 526 strikeouts in 388.1 innings.
The asking price for Glasnow, who began his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, will likely be high as he's an effective starter who can lead a rotation.
According to The Athletic's Jim Bowden, Glasnow's market "will be robust" and interested teams could include the Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves as they are seeking top-of-the-rotation starters.
If the Rays part ways with Glasnow, the team's rotation will be highlighted by Zach Eflin, Shane McClanahan, Aaron Civale and Taj Bradley.
MLB Fans Mock Rays Offense After 7-1 Game 2 Loss, Sweep to Rangers in Wild Card Round
Oct 4, 2023
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 04: Randy Arozarena #56 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts after hitting a single in the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers during Game Two of the Wild Card Series at Tropicana Field on October 04, 2023 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
The Tampa Bay Rays were swept out of the MLB Wild Card Round for the second straight season after suffering a 7-1 loss to the Texas Rangers on Wednesday.
Four errors contributed to Tampa Bay's Game 1 loss, but it didn't help that the offense mustered six hits and failed to cross the plate once. Game 2 was more of the same in that regard as the Rays finished with eight hits, the majority of which came after they found themselves in a deep hole.
The front office has found a recipe for success in the regular season, with five consecutive postseason trips and counting. But this is the fourth time during the current run the Rays have been dispatched in the Wild Card Round or Division Series.
Wednesday helps to explain why this keeps happening.
Nathan Eovaldi is the 3rd pitcher in Rangers postseason history with 8+ strikeouts and 0 walks, joining Cliff Lee, who did it twice in the 2010 ALDS on the road at the Rays (11 K and 10 K).
Corey Seager, the $325 million man, is adding to what has been the best year of his career. He went 2-for-4 with an RBI double in Game 2. His double followed a two-bagger by Marcus Semien, the other marquee signing for Texas in the 2022 offseason.
And yet, Evan Carter might prove to be the Rangers' October hero. The 21-year-old rookie hit a two-run home run in the fourth to put them up 4-0, which was the sixth straight plate appearance in which he safely reached base.
Wednesday's game yet again left one wondering where the Rays might be if they weren't committed to running one of MLB's lowest payrolls every single year. They certainly could've used somebody like Semien or Seager to anchor their lineup.
It feels like Tampa Bay is doomed to meet a similar fate in 2024 if ownership is content to maintain the status quo while focusing its efforts on a new stadium.
Rays-Rangers Wild Card Game 1 Has Lowest Attendance for MLB Playoff Game Since 1919
Oct 3, 2023
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 03: Marcus Semien #2 celebrates with Leody Taveras #3 of the Texas Rangers after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-0 in Game One of the Wild Card Series at Tropicana Field on October 03, 2023 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays played Game 1 of their American League Wild Card Series in front of a crowd so sparse that such low attendance hasn't been seen in over a century.
According to The Athletic's Tyler Kepner, Tuesday's attendance of 19,704 at Tropicana Field is the lowest for a postseason game since 1919.
Official attendance for today’s Rangers-Rays game: 19,704.
That’s the lowest for an MLB postseason game since 1919.
The Rays, who were wearing throwback Devil Rays jerseys from 1998-2000, lost the game 4-0 in front of their meager home crowd. It was a sloppy game that saw Tampa Bay record four errors on its way to its sixth straight postseason loss dating back to 2021.
The Rangers got a strong outing from starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery, who threw seven shutout innings while allowing six hits and no walks with five strikeouts. Texas relievers Aroldis Chapman and Jose Leclerc didn't allow a hit over the final two innings.
The paltry fan attendance is definitely surprising for a playoff game, and it's somewhat understandable for a mid-day, mid-week game. However, the Rays have struggled to draw local interest throughout the 2023 season, ranking 27th in MLB with an average attendance of 17,781.
While Tampa Bay is on the verge of elimination, it has the advantage of hosting Game 2 on Wednesday as well. The team will surely need support from its fans if it hopes to keep its season alive.
The Rays will be sending Zach Eflin to the mound, while the Rangers pegged Nathan Eovaldi as their starter in their potential close-out game. It remains to be seen if Wednesday's game will draw a better crowd for Tampa Bay.
