Rays Trade Rumors: with Steve Pearce signing, Cubs trade could be imminent

The Rays are just a passed physical away from signing local product and veteran utility man Steve Pearce to a one year. Pearce can serve many roles for the Rays, however, there's just one problem.

The Rays currently have a full 40-man roster.

This is the same problem that cost them two prospects during the Rule V Draft in December, so the players they have are surely valuable and worth keeping around. In order to make the Pearce signing official, the Rays will have clear a spot.

Enter the Cubs, who so happened to sign the lovable Munenori Kawasawki earlier today.

That signing brought about this speculation:

Let's try this again: Source thinks Kawasaki deal could be precursor to #Cubs deal with #Rays. CHC needs a backup SS if Baez is moved.

— Julie DiCaro (@JulieDiCaro) January 21, 2016

The Cubs and Rays have been connected all winter, so could a trade finally be on?the horizon? Or, could the Rays possibly be in talks with another team to possibly off-load James Loney.

We don't yet know, but we're going to find out.