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The Rule 5 draft starts today. Like, right now. At 9:00. The Rays have a spot open, so they could make a pick if they see a player they like. They also have several players they’re likely to lose. Read about those players here. (But do it quickly. Surely out of date by the time you’re reading this!).
You can watch the Rule 5 draft live, here.
Edit, 9:20: Well, actually you can’t. MLB had computer problems. No feed. But MLBTR has the updated picks. The Mets selected Burch Smith and the Rays passed.
Since it’s Rule 5 draft day, it’s time for Rays fans to remember Josh Hamilton. Here’s Baseball America’s All-Rule-5-Picks-In-The-21st-Century Team.
The Rays did make a small move, trading Anthony Misiewicz to the Mariners in exchange for international signing pool money. Marc Topkin writes that this is part of a setup to sign a major international prospect, specifically Jelfre Marte.
Tommy Hunter signed with the Phillies. For a lot.
2018-2019 salaries:#Rays Chris Archer - $13.7MM
— Steve Kinsella (@Steve_Kinsella1) December 13, 2017
Former Ray Tommy Hunter - ~$16MM
Jeff Sullivan wrote about how he landed that deal based on some changes to his approach that the Rays made that resulted in a major increase in effectiveness: Tommy Hunter Got Raysed.
One hopes this example of Rays success will entice other decent relievers to sign affordable deals, in the hope of being made great. One also hopes the Rays will still be able to do it post-Jim Hickey and Post-Josh Kalk.
Also on the former-Rays circuit, also speaking of Jim Hickey, the Cubs signed an injured Drew Smyly.
Rays Radio had a good roundup of what’s happened so far.
In “might-affect-the-Rays news,” the St. Louis Cardinals traded for Marcel Ozuna. St. Louis is one of the most-discussed landing spots for Alex Colome, and they now have a surplus of right-handed-hitting Outfielders. Our man in Orlando, Jared Ward, discussed.
Non-Winter-Meeting Links
- The Process Report has been reviewing the 2017 season for all major league teams, and the finally got to the Rays.
- Jeff Long thinks we should display pitch movement on charts with their movement due to gravity included.