FanPost

Plouffe could be key addition for Rays

Tampa Bay doesn't need a superstar.

The Rays sit just 3.5 games behind the Yankees and Red Sox in the AL East even without having infielder Matt Duffy, catcher Wilson Ramos and reliever Brad Boxberger so far this year. Tampa Bay ranks in the top 10 in offense even while playing half of its games in a pitcher's park. It boasts a pitching staff with the seventh-best ERA in the league.

Analysts can argue that the Rays are a pretender, but until they suffer a long losing stretch, their competitiveness cannot be denied. Chris Archer and Alex Cobb are linked to rumors and fans question whether the team should move the former face of the franchise Evan Longoria.

Here's the thing: Tampa Bay doesn't need to move anyone or look to acquire a big-named hitter like Lorenzo Cain or Jose Abreu. The Rays just need find players that can fulfill a certain role.

Trevor Plouffe could prove to be one of those guys. Tampa Bay picked up Plouffe for cash considerations after he was designated for assignment by Oakland last week.

The third baseman struggled during his time as an Athletic, hitting just .214 and striking out 58 times in 199 at-bats – he whiffed just 60 times in 344 at-bats last year. But for a team hitting terribly against left-handed hitters, at least average-wise, the right-handed hitter could be a valuable asset.

Plouffe has hit .269 against righties during his career and has tallied an extra-base hit in 10.9 percent of his at-bats against southpaws, compared to just 8.1 percent of his at-bats against right-handed hurlers.

The former Minnesota Twins player doesn't hit for average, but can easily be a double-digit home run guy, and can garner RBIs for a team that needs another hitter to complement Longoria, Logan Morrison and Corey Dickerson. He did accrue 75 doubles and 166 RBIs in 2014 and 2015 combined, so the potential is there.

Manager Kevin Cash now has an opportunity to maneuver around the lineup to compete against lefties. With the addition of Plouffe, he can keep Colby Rasmus on the bench, move Dickerson to left field, slotting the veteran in the DH spot. Rasmus has hit just .211 against left-handers in his career, so it would only make sense to keep him out of the lineup, while putting Plouffe in.

No, Plouffe will not provide the same type of power as a primetime trade prospect like Eric Hosmer or Giancarlo Stanton. But he could provide just what the Rays need, a veteran hitter that can hit well against lefties and bring in runs.

Plouffe will hit seventh against the Reds Monday in his debut for Tampa Bay.

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.