5 Free Agents Tampa Bay Rays Must Target In 2015-16 MLB Offseason

By Nick Vorholt

5 Free Agents Tampa Bay Rays Must Target In 2015-16 MLB Offseason

Tampa Bay Rays Dugout
Kim Klement - USA Today Sports

The Tampa Bay Rays were competitive this season despite some major injuries to Alex Cobb and Drew Smyly. Both of them are coming back next year. Finishing two games under .500 despite a positive run differential means the Rays could have done even more. Here are five free agents who could help the Rays compete in 2016.

5. A.J. Pierzynski

Atlanta Braves Free Agent Catcher AJ Pierzynski
Jake Roth - USA Today Sports

5. A.J. Pierzynski

Atlanta Braves Free Agent Catcher AJ Pierzynski
Jake Roth - USA Today Sports

John Jaso is a free agent and Rene Rivera is atrocious in terms of batting. Adding A.J. Pierzynski as backup catcher and DH would help this team. J.P. Arencibia bats well, but could still use refinement behind the plate.

4. Asdrubal Cabrera

Tampa Bay Rays Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera
Kim Klement - USA Today Sports

4. Asdrubal Cabrera

Tampa Bay Rays Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera
Kim Klement - USA Today Sports

Asdrubal Cabrera solidified a shortstop position that looked like it may have been a trouble spot. Nick Franklin, who came over with Drew Smyly in the David Price deal, was the only other option. Cabrera was fourth on the team in games played and third in runs scored. The Rays need to bring him back.

3. Grady Sizemore

Tampa Bay Rays Left Fielder Grady Sizemore
Kim Klement - USA Today Sports

3. Grady Sizemore

Tampa Bay Rays Left Fielder Grady Sizemore
Kim Klement - USA Today Sports

Grady Sizemore was the Rays' best starting left fielder at the end of the year. Re-signing him should be a top priority. With an OPS of over .700 Sizemore looks like an old version of himself, which is a good thing.

2. Howie Kendrick

Los Angeles Dodgers Second Baseman Howie Kendrick
Kirby Lee - USA Today Sports

2. Howie Kendrick

Los Angeles Dodgers Second Baseman Howie Kendrick
Kirby Lee - USA Today Sports

Logan Forsythe was a find at second base. Unfortunately, he is also the Rays' top backup first baseman. Signing Howie Kendrick would allow Forsythe to be backup for James Loney and would give the Rays another option in left field.

1. Ross Detwiler

Washtington Nationals Free Agent Pitcher Ross Detwiler
Brad Mills - USA Today Sports

1. Ross Detwiler

Washtington Nationals Free Agent Pitcher Ross Detwiler
Brad Mills - USA Today Sports

Ross Detwiler was a good starting pitcher for the Washington Nationals for five years. Then suddenly he started only 13 games in 2013 and has looked like a different pitcher ever since. The Rays are in desperate need to have a swing man between the rotation and middle relief. If the Rays can rebuild Detwiler, like they did Erasmo Ramirez, he could have a special 2016. Even without a complete rebuild the Rays can use experience on a young staff.

Nick Vorholt is a writer for www.RantSports.com covering the Cincinnati Reds and all things MLB.

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