MLB: LA Angels Interested in Tampa Bay Rays Star Evan Longoria?
The MLB Postseason is on the halfway mark as only four teams remain, the Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays in the American League, and the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs in the National League. As for the other 26 teams, they are looking ahead at the offseason and try to improve their teams.
Fansided reports that one of the teams that need to start making some moves in the offseason are the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays finished at 80-82 and placed fourth in the AL East, their second straight losing season, and second straight year missing the playoffs.
Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe suggests that Tampa Bay should at least explore the idea of trading their superstar third baseman Evan Longoria. He added that some baseball people have wondered if the Rays would even think about dealing him as he is the only remaining member of their ALCS-winning team from 2008.
Tampa Bay already traded one of the two cornerstones of their franchise. Left-handed pitching ace David Price was traded to the Detroit Tigers last July 2014, per MLB.com. He won the Cy Young with the Rays in 2012 and is now with the Blue Jays and is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.
The Boston Globe notes that the Los Angeles Angels, who are looking for a third baseman, are perfect for Longoria. One AL general manager said, "The contract he signed is long but reasonable."
The three-time All-Star signed a contract extension in 2012 that incorporates his salaries from 2013 to 2016 from his original contract. There will be an additional six years worth $100 million that will go through 2022, which also includes a club option for 2023, per MLB.com.
Fansided also said that "Longo" is one of the best third baseman in baseball, but baseball fans easily forget about him as he plays for a Tampa Bay team that is barely relevant for a couple of years now. If he had played for a contender, his talent won't be wasted for years to come.
The report also adds that Rays are not looking to deal Longoria or if the Angels are looking to trade for him. It is a plot that has a possibility of happening in this offseason as Tampa Bay will get a good chunk of prospects for their future if they trade their third baseman.
Longoria has a career .271 batting average with 205 home runs and 708 RBIs, per Baseball-Reference.com. He is the Rays all-time leader in home runs, RBIs, slugging percentage, wins above replacement, doubles, extra-base hits, sacrifice flies and intentional walks.
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