Tampa Bay Rays News and Links: SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING!

A very quiet weekend around the baseball world as we’ve reached the period of nothingness that follows the World Series. Free agents are able to sign with whomever wants their services, trades can be made, 40-man rosters need to be set; there are a lot of things that are set to happen, that just haven’t yet.

The annual General Manager Meetings kick off today and could serve as the launching point for any potential block busters. Although, the Meetings usually serve as a precursor to deals that are ultimately made during the Winter Meetings in early December.

• The Rays know they have some work to do in order to make their roster competitive, while dealing with a limited budget
• The Rays helped to build a local playground this past weekend.
• The Rays did make a couple of minor league signings last week as they brought back Adam Kolarek and signed Vidal Nuno
• The Atlanta Braves will have a very active off-season as blockbuster extraordinaire, Alex Anthopoulos, has been announced as the team’s new GM
• Giancarlo Standon may be on the verge of joining the Boston Red Sox as trade talks are supposedly heating up
• MLB’s top hardware will be handed out this week with the Rookie of the Year, , Manager of the Year, MVP, and Cy Young award winners being announced

Some history on this date:

• In 2015, the Red Sox acquired Craig Kimbrel from the San Diego Padres in exchange for Logan Allen, Javier Guerra, Carlos Asuaje, and Manuel Margot
• In 1996, the San Francisco Giants acquired Jeff Kent, Julian Tavarez, Joe Roa, and Jose Vizcaino from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Matt Williams and Trent Hubbard
• The earliest transaction on this date occurred back in 1896 when the Cincinnati Reds traded Chauncey Fisher, Germany Smith, and $1,000 to the Brooklyn Bridegrooms for Tommy Corcoran