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MLB Trade Deadline: These Rays veterans are still available for sale

Here’s who is left to deal.

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Tampa Bay Rays v Minnesota Twins Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

The Tampa Bay Rays have been the busiest in baseball, and as the trade deadline approaches, the Rays have parted ways with a trio pitchers: Nathan Eovaldi, Matt Andriese, and Jonny Venters (all in 72 hours).

And they’re not done. The Rays still have several other players on their roster who are almost certainly going to be deal by the 4pm trade deadline on July 31st. Here’s who’s left.

Almost 100% certain to go

Wilson Ramos

The All-Star backstop has been incredible for the Rays in 2018. The Buffalo is arguably one of the better catchers in baseball right now and certainly the best in the American League. He had an untimely hamstring strain, but is ahead of schedule in his recovery. It’s telling that he is the next likely candidate in that the Rays acquired a replacement in the Andriese trade, with the new catcher debuting with the team last night.

Ramos is currently having the best offensive season of his career, posting a 131 wRC+, and he’s accrued 1.8 fWAR thus far. He is still owed around $5M for the rest of the season, but would certainly boost a contenders offensive production, as well as giving them an excellent catcher on defense.

Adeiny Hechavarria

La Pantera is all glove, no bat. He currently sports a 73 wRC+, but his calling card will always be awe inspiring defense as he is able to make dazzling plays look routine on a daily basis. The Rays have Willy Adames in the majors now and need to give their top prospect a starting job at shortstop. With Manny Machado having been dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the middle-infield market is pretty barren, so Hechavarria will surely fit some team’s need for defense.

Sergio Romo

Picked up last year after the Dodgers released him, Romo has gone through a career resurgence with Tampa Bay, and even re-joined the Rays this past off-season, signing as a free agent. Once Alex Colome was traded in May, Romo took over the closer job for Kevin Cash and has thrived in the role that won him three rings.

Thus far in 2018, Romo has posted a 3.85 FIP over 49 appearances (46.1 IP). If dealt, he likely would no longer be a closer, but would still be a high leverage arm for a contender.

Detroit Tigers v Tampa Bay Rays Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Could be traded

C.J. Cron

Picked up to provide some pop to the middle of the order after the self-inflicted exodus of Logan Morrison, Corey Dickerson, and Evan Longoria. Soon after Cron was acquired, Steven Souza Jr was sent off as well. It was up to Cron to provide the pop, and he has provided what the Rays expected, belting a career high 20 HR already this season.

Cron is still under team control through the 2020 season, but with the emergence of Jake Bauers, Cron has been relegated to the DH spot. The Rays have no other real reason to deal Cron, but if a team calls with the right offer, they’ll certainly part ways

Carlos Gomez

Gomez is more than likely an August waiver wire or DFA candidate, rather than a trade possibility. Picked up just at the onset of spring training, Gomez slumped mightily out of the gate for the Rays, but has picked it up since the start of May. He doesn’t provide as much pop as he did earlier in his career, but still has a wRC+ over 100 since his early season slump, all the while provide above average defense in right field. He could be a decent option for a bench/platoon role with another team looking to boost clubhouse chemistry.

Staying, but rumors will be swirling

Chris Archer

Like David Price and James Shields before him, Chris Archer has been at the center of Rays trade rumors for a few years now. Now, with the 2018 trade deadline upon us, the time may have finally come for the Rays to deal Chris Archer...or not.

Read More: What is Chris Archer’s trade value?

Archer is not having his best season, and the amount of teams that are pursuing him are minimal compared to the amount of teams that will be after him during the off-season. However, with teams like the Padres in the mix with their incredible wealth of prospects, the Rays could be enticed to make a deal.

Jose Alvarado

Jim Bowden, stop it.