The Tampa Bay Rays are attempting to take over the A.L. East for good and they are rumored to have interest in trading for Chicago White Sox reliever, Jesse Crain. However, there are a few things the Rays should consider before making a move for Crain.
It is evident that the Rays have an average bullpen. They have a 3.69 ERA, which is good for 16th in baseball, right in the middle of the pack. However, they do a great job keeping the ball in the park, allowing only 25 home runs in 2013, for seventh in baseball and consequently helping them allowing only 123 earned runs in the year, which is 12th in baseball.
Crain could only make them better, at least that's what the stat sheets show. Crain has a 0.72 ERA in 38 appearances this season. He has 46 strikeouts in 36.2 innings pitched for an impressive 11.3 K/9 Ratio. However impressive the numbers are, the stat sheets also show that the Rays should be hesitant about adding Crain. The 32-year-old righty hasn't pitched in over a month, making his last appearance on June 29 due to a poor elbow. Phil Rogers of MLB Network recommend the acquisition, but suggested the Rays could sit Crain, rather than rush him back during the regular season.
The Rays would have to weigh their options. They can keep their bullpen the way it is or move a middle-tier player in their successful minor league system to the White Sox. The White Sox would take prospects since they are looking to build their farm system as well.
If the Rays don't make any additions, they are still a very potent team that has done nothing but win as the season has progressed. They are in second place in the A.L. East, only half a game behind the Boston Red Sox. Their team is young, their offense is talented and their pitching is healthy, which doesn't serve a great recipe for the rest of baseball.
You can't blame them if they want to keep all their pieces and avoid having to deal with a new player since everything is working well in their clubhouse and dugout. However, Joe Maddon is one of the best managers in baseball and adding Crain would be no big deal.
The trade deadline is on Wednesday, July 31.