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The deadline inspires crazy rumors, but seldom does it involve the Rays. Where there's smoke, with this team that usually means there's fire, and boy does Jeff Passan have a log to throw on the hot stove.
Source: Rays listening on Nate Karns, who's drawing interest from a number of teams. Five years of control with really good offspeed stuff.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2015
Why on earth would the Rays put one of their young starting pitchers for sale? Perhaps the asking price is enormous, but Passan has a point to make on the depth chart.
Rays have enormous SP depth: Archer, Odorizzi, Moore, Smyly, Karns, Erasmo, Andriese, Cobb, with Snell, Guerrieri and Honeywell on the come.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2015
All of them? One scout I know adores Snell. Guerrieri may have best pure stuff. Honeywell's screwball is awesome. https://t.co/LQtOnzkdfl
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2015
Matt Moore is no guarantee as he recovers from Tommy John, Drew Smyly is still rehabbing a jacked up shoulder that may or may not have a Labrum tear, young Blake Snell has only two starts at Triple-A, and neither of the other two prospects have made it that far in their development.
There's many other arms in the system to like, this is something the Rays do well, but taking Nate Karns from us will need to demand the moon.
Keep hearing Rays would have to be "overwhelmed" to deal him, considering control. But they are listening. https://t.co/78D7JkJPdc
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 30, 2015
Years of control, loads of talent. This doesn't seem like something the Rays would do, but this is a new front office, after all.