5 Players Tampa Bay Rays Should Send Packing In 2015-16 MLB Offseason

5 Players Tampa Bay Rays Should Send Packing In 2015-16 MLB Offseason

By Chad Troyan

5 Players Tampa Bay Rays Should Send Packing In 2015-16 MLB Offseason

Tampa Bay Rays
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The Tampa Bay Rays finished the 2015 season near the bottom of the American League with a 80-82 record. In obvious need of improvement, the Rays will have to make some moves and these five players should find themselves on the move this winter.

5. C Rene Rivera

Rene Rivera Tampa Bay Rays
Kim Klement - USATODAY Sports

5. C Rene Rivera

Rene Rivera Tampa Bay Rays
Kim Klement - USATODAY Sports

The Rays are in need of some help at catching. Rivera took a huge dip in production in 2015 after he hit .252 with 11 home runs and 44 RBIs in 2014. In 298 plate appearances he managed to hit a mere .183 with five home runs and 26 RBIs. Rivera is also older (32) than the Rays' other catcher Curt Casali (27). When you combine his age and recent production, it would make sense to cut ties with him and find a catcher who can put up better numbers.

4. 1B James Loney

James Loney Tampa Bay Rays
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

4. 1B James Loney

James Loney Tampa Bay Rays
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Loney is a good example of "selling high". Since joining the Rays in 2013, he has managed to hit .280 or better each season with an on-base of .320 or more. With the recent acquisition of Logan Morrison it would be smart to move Loney and get something for him before he hits free agency in 2016. With the numbers he's been able to produce at 31, he should be able to bring in a good prospect or two for the Rays which would help build up their farm.

3. RF Steven Souza Jr.

Steven Souza Jr.Tampa Bay Rays
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3. RF Steven Souza Jr.

Steven Souza Jr.Tampa Bay Rays
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Souza made a name for himself by making the last out for Jordan Zimmermann's no-hitter in 2014. That year he played in a mere 21 games and hit .183. The following year with the Rays he played in 110 games and hit .225 with 16 home runs and 40 RBIs. This issue was with his low on-base percentage (.318). Given his age (26) and his 2015 production, the Rays could get a decent prospect in return and find a better outfielder on the free agent market.

2. RP Brad Boxberger

Brad Boxberger Tampa Bay Rays
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2. RP Brad Boxberger

Brad Boxberger Tampa Bay Rays
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Brad Boxberger was once considered one of the Cincinnati Reds' best prospects and has shown that same promise at times during his tenure with the Rays. Boxberger took on the closer role and did pretty well as he earned 41 saves in 47 opportunities. His downfall was a high ERA (3.71) for a pitcher who (for the most part) took on the closing duties. At 27, Boxberger is a young, talented arm who could fetch a nice return for the Rays.

1. 3B Evan Longoria

Evan Longoria Tampa Bay Rays
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1. 3B Evan Longoria

Evan Longoria Tampa Bay Rays
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First off, this would be a hard deal to get done given he has seven years remaining on his extension, but it is a move that needs to be made. Any player who is considered to be the face of a franchise is expected to put up above average numbers, but Evan Longoria has failed to wow people with his so-so production. The Rays could easily find someone else who could match or exceed Longoria's production without having to pay them $ 100 million.

Chad Troyan is a Cincinnati Reds writer. He also covers the NFL and NCAAF for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChadTroyan15, “Like”him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

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