The Rays appear to be exploring their options before the trade deadline.
Tampa Bay has “checked in” on Tigers slugger Nicholas Castellanos and spoken with the Giants about dealing for a reliever, according to reports from MLB Insider Jon Heyman and MLB Network.
In addition to Cubs, Rays have checked in on Nick Castellanos. Not a perfect fit, tho, and no evidence it’s close yet with them. @cmccosky 1st mentioned Cubs.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 23, 2019
Castellanos, 27, is slashing .284/.342/.480 with 11 home runs and 36 RBIs in 93 games for Detroit this season. He will be a free agent after the season and has also been linked to the Cubs.
Castellanos said last month he was not expecting to be with the Tigers long-term.
"I don't have a college education,” Castellanos said at the time, via The Athletic. “But I can pick up the pieces and put a puzzle together. I'm not saying that this is 100% what it's going to be, but if I'm a gambling man, I don't see (the Tigers) offering me an extension at this point in time."
The Giants, meanwhile, were expected to be sellers but have won nine and of their last 10. They’re just two games out of the second National League wild-card spot.
Source: #Rays, #SFGiants have been in contact regarding Giants relievers. Giants may move a reliever and keep Bumgarner after recent surge, especially if deal is need-for-need at @MLB level. Joey Wendle or Michael Brosseau would help SF infield. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 23, 2019
The Rays are also in playoff contention as they are one game back of the Athletics for the second wild-card spot in the American League entering play Tuesday.
“I think we’re always open to transactions and trades, and I will expect that to be no different (this year),” Rays general manager Erik Neander said earlier this month, via MLB.com. “We never go into it thinking we need to make a trade, or three trades, or five trades. We just try and be in position to make moves that can have a chance to help us.
“Our position in the standings is different than what it was last year and two years ago and so on, but I think we’ll look to be opportunistic. If things line up, there’s no limit. But if we don’t make any (trades), we’re OK with that, too. We just want to be prepared and in position.”
Tampa Bay starter Tyler Glasnow has been out since mid-May with a right forearm strain.