Arozarena watches from Tropicana Field stands with fans after he’s traded by budget-conscious Rays
Erik Neander, Tampa Bay Rays president of baseball operations, thinks about a question as he speaks to media about recent trades before a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, July 26, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Christopher O'Meara)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Christopher O'Meara]
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays insist they haven’t given up on the season. Nevertheless, president of baseball operations Erik Neander concedes the decision to part ways with star outfielder Randy Arozarena and pitcher Zach Eflin before next week’s trade deadline probably won’t enhance the team’s chances of earning a sixth consecutive playoff berth. Neander , though, is confident the moves will help the budget-conscious franchise down the road. The fourth-place Rays entered play Friday night, one game over .500 and trailing the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles by 9 1-2 games. At 52-51, they were sixth in a race for three AL wild-card spots.
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Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash speaks to the media before a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, July 26, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Cash was commenting on the trade that sent Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena to the Seattle Mariners. (AP Photo/Christopher O'Meara)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Christopher O'Meara