This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed.
AIPROPX ReportYahoo Sports · 1h ago
Rays Showing Trade Interest in Nationals Starter Foster Griffin Ahead of MLB Deadline
The Tampa Bay Rays are starting to narrow down who they want to acquire at the MLB Trade Deadline.
It was reported this weekend that the Rays were one of a very few organizations in attendance for the series between the Washington Nationals and the Arizona Diamondbacks to watch the start of pitcher Foster Griffin.
The Nationals pitcher gave up 3 earned runs and a walk across 6.2 innings of work, good enough for his 12th quality start of the season. So far this year, he is 12-2 with a 2.76 ERA and has 113 strikeouts and only 28 walks over 124 innings of work.
Washington is certainly a team to watch as they are on the cusp of deciding whether to buy or sell at the deadline. However, if they choose to move on from some players, Griffin is the most likely candidate according to multiple league sources. The Nationals are currently 54-52 and sit just one game out of the final wildcard spot in what has turned into a very competitive National League.
If they get on a winning streak over the next week, they may decide to keep their players, however, the squad is still a few pieces away from making a deep postseason run, and adding a few more prospects for a player that has already given the Nationals front office some pushback on a new contract may be the best decision for the future.
The other team mentioned to be in attendance was the Philadelphia Phillies, who have been very aggressive over the past few trade deadlines, especially in the pitching department. So it's safe to say that they definitely pose a threat.
If Tampa Bay were able to make a move for Griffin, it would solidify the Rays rotation for the long haul heading into the postseason. It would also allow either Griffin Jax or Ian Seymour to move to the bullpen as a long reliever, or act as a 6th man in the rotation to get through the backend of the summer. Steven Matz has also returned from the injured list for the Rays and will be placed as a reliever.
Regardless, this is a move Eric Neander and the rest of the Rays front office should strongly consider to make the team even more of a favorite inside the American League.
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