RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 3 sourcesRays predicted to make trade deadline move with Giants for 4X All-Star originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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The Tampa Bay Rays could use at least one offensive upgrade for their lineup before the trade deadline passes
Tampa Bay is also involved in trade rumors for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, but acquiring a bat could also be viewed as a necessity by the front office.
"If the Rays don't land Skubal, and if some of the other top starting pitchers are off the board, they should pivot to a position player, since the offense is so heavily dependent on Junior Caminero, Yandy Diaz and Jonathan Aranda," ESPN's David Schoenfield wrote Friday.
In a perfect world, both would be ideal. If the Tigers trade Skubal elsewhere, the Rays' front office should focus its attention on the San Francisco Giants .
Schoenfield added that the Giants' four-time All-Star at second base fits well in Tampa Bay's lineup.
"[Luis] Arraez is a sure bet to be traded, heading to free agency and with the Giants out of the playoff picture. He's also having an excellent season with a .328 average and better defensive metrics at second base," Schoenfield wrote.
"Rays second basemen are in the bottom third of the majors in OPS, so Arraez and his .364 OBP would fit in nicely at the top of the lineup."
MORE : Yankees are ‘ leading candidate ’ to trade for Twins ’ Ryan Jeffers
Arraez does not hit for power, but the Rays have Caminero, Diaz, and Aranda to do most of the heavy lifting in that department.
This season, the three-time batting champion is hitting .328/.364/.447 with four home runs, 43 RBIs, and a minuscule 4.4% strikeout rate.
With Arraez and speedster Chandler Simpson, the Rays could put together one of the more frustrating, pesky lineups for opposing pitchers in the Majors.
More MLB news:
Red Sox ‘ would love ’ to trade for Angels ’ Zach Neto or Astros ’ Jeremy Pena
Giants willing to trade Heliot Ramos in big news for many MLB clubs
Padres likely not to trade Mason Miller amid latest update
Tigers expected to trade Tarik Skubal but still try to contend without him
Mets ‘ desperate ’ to trade Luis Robert Jr. after trade failure
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