"We are a worse team today" - Erik Neander laments Randy Arozarena and Zach Eflin trades as Rays begin rebuild
The Tampa Bay Rays had to take two of the toughest decisions in recent history, parting ways with Randy Arozarena and Zach Eflin ahead of the deadline. Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander had mixed emotions after having to deal two vital cogs in their roster as he rebuilds from scratch.
The Rays haven't been anywhere near their 99-game winning season in 2023. They are fourth in the AL East and four games behind the last wild card spot. All signs show that the trade was in the team's best interest, letting go off veteran players in exchange of prospects, a philosophy that has stuck with the team.
However, in hindsight, letting of Randy Arozarena to the Seattle Mariners and Zach Eflin to divisional opponents Baltimore Orioles will sting for some time. The former has been the biggest at-bat in the lineup.
Over the past three years, he became the first batter to have three consecutive 20-20 seasons. Eflin, meanwhile, after signing a three-year $40 million deal with the team, recorded 21-15 with 3.72 ERA in 50 games started.
Erik Neander recognised the fact that the Rays didn't look the same after the two trades. Tampa Bay lost 3-2 in extra innings against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.
“We are a worse team today than we were 24 hours ago,” Neander said before the game. “That’s not something we can shy away from.”
Erik Neander confident of turning incoming prospects into Rays superstars
The five prospects the Rays received in return from the Mariners and Orioles all rank outside the top-100. They received three outfielders - Aidan Smith, Mathew Etzel and Mac Horvath - and two RHPs - Brody Hopkins and Jackson Baumeister.
However, Neander believes the management can turn into them into key players in the setup.
“I think more than anything we’re going to go after the players that we believe have the best chance long-term to positively impact our major-league team. Sometimes those players are really well known, sometimes they’re not," Neander said.
It remains to be seen how much these trades hurt the Rays in the long term, but for now they are a severe dent to their playoff chances.