Yesterday was a relatively quiet day for the Rays at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, however, that’s just what we know. The Rays are known for being notoriously quiet in regards to the moves they make and with all of baseball’s top brass together, things can materialize quickly.

What we do know, is that the Rays have been having ongoing conversations with free agent Nelson Cruz as well as trade talks with the Cleveland Indians for Yandy Diaz or Edwin Encarnacion.

Rays News

• Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com has been all over the Edwin Encarnacion/Yandy Diaz rumors and speculates that the Indians are seeking bullpen help in return. He also says the Indians may wait to deal Encarnacion until after they’ve dealt their starting pitchers (Trevor Bauer & Corey Kluber).
• Steve Kinsella of Sports Talk Florida checks in on the Nelson Cruz front. Cruz’s agent says that his client is very much interested, but there are also several other teams in pursuit.
• Juan Toribio of The Athletic ($) is doing a mailbag, so head on over there and submit some questions for him to answer
• It has been 4 years since the Rays gave Kevin Cash his first managerial gig in the majors. Since then, he has become one of the league’s most respected and longest tenured managers.
• Wander Rays continues their ranking of the top 50 Rays prospects - Rodoflo Sanchez #50 - Ryan Boldt #31 - Josh Lowe #14
• Kevin Cash did a media tour with the opening of the meetings as he held a press conference and spoke with several media outlets. He reaffirmed the team will be using the opener strategy in 2019 and also gave his thoughts on Jake Bauers, Brent Honeywell, shifting, and Tommy Pham

Around the League

• A massive deal is being rumored as the Mets, Yankees, and Marlins are in talks to send JT Realmuto to the Mets, Noah Syndergaard to the Yankees, and prospects from the Yankees to the other two teams
• Meanwhile, the Dodgers are looking to acquire Corey Kluber. The Indians are seeking Alex Verdugo, plus more in return
• In actual transactions, the Kansas City Royals signed Billy Hamilton to a one year deal
• In actual transactions, the Detroit Tigers signed Tyson Ross to a one year deal

This Date in Rays History

• 1999 - signed Jose Canseco to a two year deal
• 2003 - signed Eduardo Perez to a two year deal
• 2009 - acquired Rafael Soriano from the Atlanta Braves for Jesse Chavez
• 2017 - acquired Joey Wendle from the Oakland Athletics for Jonah Heim