RAYS: Crawford Out For Season

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Carl Crawford will undergo surgery to repair the torn tendon band in his hand, and will be out for the remainder of the season.

BOTTOM LINE: The losses of Crawford and Longoria may be crippling to the Rays’ chances in winning the division. Put him on injured reserve.

RAYS: Garza is Complete

Tampa Bay Rays starter Matt Garza pitched a complete-game shutout for Tampa Bay against Toronto on Tuesday, beating Jays ace Roy Halladay head-to-head for the second time in two weeks.

BOTTOM LINE: Garza has been solid since may, with a sub-four ERA. He is developing into a very good starter, and the Rays rotation is soon to be scary.

Trade Deadline Looming

The MLB trade deadline is only eight days away, and there are several guys who may be wearing new uniforms once that time comes. In this blog, I will pick the five most likely guys to get traded, and where I think they will end up.

1. Xavier Nady, Pirates
Destination: Rays

The Rays are in need of a good hitting right-handed hitter, and Nady would seem to be the guy who would fit the bill best. The Rays have a plethora of young pitching in which they could trade, so it seems like these two teams could be a match. Nady has said that he wants to stay in Pittsburgh, but the decision is out of his hands.

2. Brian Fuentes, Rockies
Destination: Marlins

Florida management is known to be fans of Fuentes, and he would come in and threaten Kevin Gregg to take over as closer. They have been pursuing him very aggressively. The Marlins have plenty of young talent to get the deal done. It’s just a matter of whether or not they want to go for it this year. This seems like a match for all parties involved.

3. Casey Blake, Indians
Destination: Mets

This trade makes too much sense for it not to happen. Omar Minaya is known to be a huge fan of Blake, and Blake fits the big hole that the Mets have. They need a right handed hitting outfielder who can also occasionally spell Delgado against a lefty at first base. Blake fits the bill. I think it would only cost the Mets a mid-level prospect if they are willing to eat Blake’s contract.

4. Jarrod Washburn, Mariners
Destination: Yankees

The Yankees are in need of a starting pitcher. Mussina and Pettite are the only two guys that they can consistently count on right now, although Wang should be entering the picture pretty soon. Washburn, although caught up in the horror of Seattle, is still a quality pitcher. The Yankees and Mariners are known to be in discussions, and the Yankees want Seattle to take Kei Igawa, but the best course of action would be for the Yankees to trade a mid-level minor leaguer and eat Washburn’s contract.

5. Huston Street, Athletics
Destination: Brewers

The Brewers have proven to everyone that they are ready to go for it now. The acquisition of CC Sabathia was a huge splash for them and they don’t seem to be done. Eric Gagne could be a headache, so the Brewers entered the market for a late inning reliever, and Street would feet the bill. The Athletics are looking to reload their minor league system, and the Brewers have a nice group of prospects. This one is an easy match.

 

–MICHAEL GANCI

RAYS: Aki on Fire

Tampa Bay Rays second basemen Akinori Iwamura has been on fire recently. He is on an 11-game hitting streak, and has batted .341 over his last 10 games.

BOTTOM LINE: He has been one of the reasons for the Rays’ success this season. He has a homer and five doubles in his last ten games as well. Start him.

RAYS: Garza Throws One-Hitter

Tampa Bay Rays starter Matt Garza was brilliant in his Thursday start at Florida, taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning. He wound up with a complete-game one-hitter (a Hanley Ramirez home run), with one walk and 10 strikeouts.

BOTTOM LINE: Garza is becoming a solid No. 3 pitcher for the Rays behind Scott Kazmir and James Shields. He now has pitched well in five of his last seven starts.

RAYS: Crawford Returns With a Vengeance

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Carl Crawford has been on fire since returning from his suspension. It looks like six days off did an awful lot of good. He has 13 hits, including three homers, in seven games since returning.

BOTTOM LINE: Crawford contributes in multiple categories in fantasy, and it is now safe to activate him in all formats.