The Tampa Bay Rays are going to trade experienced outfielder Manuel Margot, it’s simply a question of where to and who for.
Margot, who turned 29 in September, pertained to the Rays in a trade prior to the 2020 season. Since that time, Margot has actually been an important part of the Rays roster, both due to his on the field efficiency and his off the field mentorship of the group’s younger players.
Performance wise, he has been really constant, striking.264/.317/.375 with 19 HR over four seasons with Tampa Bay, accumulating 4.9 fWAR. He appeared well on his method to breakout project in 2022, before a disastrous injury cost him the majority of the season, but during the period of 2021 to 2022, he accumulated 3.9 fWAR over 214 video games.
Prior to the 2022 season the Rays signed Margot to a contact extension that would pay him $7M in 2023, $10M in 2024, with a shared $12M choice (and a $2M buyout) in 2025.
Margot, then, is still ensured a minimum of $12M of his contract.
The Rays meanwhile have a crowded roster and apparently little playing time readily available for Margot with the emergence of Jose Siri and Josh Lowe as daily players alongside Randy Arozarena. The $12M cost for Margot to be a part-time gamer is high for the Rays, so they’re seeking to unload his agreement.
Among the groups that are supposedly vying for Margot are the Rays department competitor, the New York Yankees. According to a report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Rays and Yankees have actually taken part in multiple conversations this offseason concerning Margot.
Meanwhile, per Joel Sherman of the New York City Post, the Yankees also gone over Margot with the Rays leading up to this previous trade due date; Sherman likewise reports that in addition to the Yankees, the Mets and at least three other groups have asked about Margot.
According to Michael Marino, a reporter that has scooped noteworthy stories regarding the Mets in the past, the Rays and Mets had ‘significant talks’ concerning Margot prior to the 40-man lineup due date on Tuesday.
The next domino to fall this offseason is the non-tender deadline on Friday, when teams need to decide whether or not to provide agreements to their arbitration qualified gamers.
