On their July 17 day off, the Tampa Bay Rays plot a second-half surge. Manager Kevin Cash and the front office eye Trade Deadline upgrades to fix the bullpen.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The diamond was quiet for the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday, a scheduled day off offering a moment of calm before the storm of the season's second half. But don't mistake the silence for inactivity. Behind the scenes, the front office is buzzing, strategizing for a make-or-break stretch with a clear mandate: get this team back to its postseason form, and it starts with the bullpen.
It is what it is right now, but I'm very confident that we can come back from that.
After a streaky first half, Rays management has made it clear they intend to be 'flexible buyers' ahead of the July 31 Trade Deadline. The primary target? High-leverage relief pitching. While the recent acquisition of reliever Bryan Baker was a solid first step in addressing the need, the feeling is that more help is required to stabilize the late innings. A reliable bullpen has long been the bedrock of Rays' success, and shoring it up is seen as the most direct path to climbing the standings and securing a playoff spot. Manager Kevin Cash's recent comments reflect a blend of realism about the team's current struggles and unwavering belief in their ability to turn it around.
While the big league club plots its immediate future, the organization also added a piece for the long term. In the 17th round of the MLB Draft, the Rays selected University of Florida catcher Brody Donay with the 508th overall pick. Known for his power and solid defense, Donay hit .246 with an impressive 14 home runs and 32 RBI during his sophomore campaign for the Gators, coupled with a .980 fielding percentage. As the sixth Gator drafted this year, Donay brings a promising bat to a system renowned for developing talent.
So while Thursday was a day without a box score, it was far from a day off. It was a day of planning, plotting, and preparing for what comes next. The next two weeks will be pivotal, both on the field as the Rays resume play and in the front office as the trade deadline clock ticks down. The mission is clear, the focus is sharp, and the push for another October run is officially on.
