What each team should do next after the winter meetings
Every team left Las Vegas with unfinished business. We have some suggestions on where they should go from here.
2018 ScheduleAll times ET
2018 Schedule
90-72, 3rd in AL East
Law: Indians trade risk for expense in Santana-Encarnacion swap
The three-way deal with the Mariners and Rays reunited Carlos Santana and the Tribe, but will Edwin Encarnacion stay in Seattle?
Encarnacion, Santana on move in 3-team trade
The Indians have reacquired slugger Carlos Santana in a three-team deal with the Mariners and Rays that sends Edwin Encarnacion to Seattle and Yandy Diaz to Tampa Bay.
Dan Mullen ESPN.com
As they dismantle the stage in the media workroom, the biggest trade of these winter meetings has become official with Carlos Santana headed back to the Indians, Edwin Encarnacion going to the Mariners and Yandy Diaz to the Rays headlining the three-team deal.
Tristan H. Cockcroft ESPN Senior Writer
I'm scratching my head over the Rays' portion of this three-team deal. Yandy Diaz makes far more contact than Jake Bauers, and I suppose he's a Rays launch-angle project for 2019? I'd have rather kept Bauers, who looks a lot closer to developing into a 25-homer player.
Law: Rays deserve credit for going after Morton
Despite facing long odds in the AL East, Tampa Bay invested in free agent Charlie Morton, who should be a good fit on its pitching staff.
Dan Mullen ESPN.com
Most of the free-agent market has been slow to develop this winter, but starting pitcher is a clear exception with Lance Lynn heading to the Rangers hours after Charlie Morton joined the Rays.
Olney: Rays trying to climb into Red Sox-Yankees stratosphere (1:52)
Source: RHP Morton closing in on deal with Rays
Right-handed pitcher Charlie Morton is close to finalizing a deal to join the Tampa Bay Rays, a source confirmed to ESPN's Buster Olney. Yahoo Sports reported that the deal will be for two years and is worth $30 million.
Coley Harvey ESPN Staff Writer
When he was Tampa Bay's bench coach, Charlie Montoyo organized and called the Rays' various defensive shifts. He's bringing some of them — and the "opener" — to Toronto. "I've seen it work, so we're going to use all this stuff." We'll see how much. Oh, and as a shift proponent, he's all about keeping the defensive rules the way they are. "They're big-league players. They should make an adjustment; and I think they will."
Rays reopen site search; no opening until 2024
Rays owner Stuart Sternberg says the team's planned ballpark for Tampa's Ybor City can't be finalized by this month's deadline and he will reopen the site search, delaying any opening until at least 2024.
Cash says Rays will stick with opener in 2019
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash will stick with using an "opener" next season.
David Schoenfield ESPN Senior Writer
Rays manager Kevin Cash confirms the team will stick with the "opener" strategy in 2019 and says the internal discussions right now are whether they'll do it two times through the rotation or three times.
Winter meetings moves for all 30 teams
With every team looking to make moves in Las Vegas, here's a forecast of big trades and signings for each.
Buster's Buzz: Which teams are waiting to pounce on bargains?
While some clubs will spend big money in Vegas, others are watching for when they can sign key players without busting their budgets.
Way-too-early 2019-20 MLB free-agent rankings
While this winter's crop searches for new homes, we look ahead to the big decisions that loom for some of the game's top stars -- Nolan Arenado, Chris Sale, Paul Goldschmidt and Gerrit Cole among them.
Twins claim slugger Cron off waivers from Rays
C.J. Cron, who hit a career-best 30 home runs in 2018, was claimed by the Twins off waivers from the Rays on Monday.
The top offseason priority for all 30 MLB teams
Your favorite team probably isn't going to get Bryce Harper or Manny Machado. But another move -- maybe for a top pitcher -- could make all the difference this winter.
Rays designate 1B/DH Cron for assignment
After hitting a career-high 30 home runs in 2018, first baseman and designated hitter C.J. Cron was designated for assignment by the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday.
'I won't throw it there again': MLB's most wicked comebackers of 2018
Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer was struck by a ball traveling 115.6 mph on Sept. 3. Here's what that play and others tell us about human perception.
Indians acquire RHP Hu from Tampa Bay
The Cleveland Indians have acquired right-hander Chih-Wei Hu (chee-way-hoo) in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays for infielder Gionti Turner.
Cy Young trophies for deGrom, Snell reflect analytics' impact
The Mets ace took home his trophy with just 10 wins, the Rays hurler with just over 180 IP, so voters looked deeper at their performance.
Snell wins AL Cy Young after breakout season
Blake Snell's breakout season has culminated in the American League Cy Young Award. The Rays left-hander won out over Astros ace Justin Verlander and Indians stalwart Corey Kluber.
Christina Kahrl MLB Staff Writer
Rays ace Blake Snell is your AL Cy Young winner for 2018, getting 17 of 30 first-place votes on the strength of his MLB-best 21 wins while leading the AL with a 1.89 ERA.
A blockbuster offseason move for all 30 teams
Want to make a hot-stove splash? Start with these bold trades and free-agent additions.
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2018 AL East Standings
2018 Team Leaders
- Batting
- Pitching
Batting Average
Home Runs
Runs Batted In
Earned Run Average
Wins
Strikeouts
Team Stats
- Pitching
- Batting
Earned Run Average3.746th
Quality Starts923rd
WHIP1.203rd
BAA.2303rd
Runs71616th
Batting Average.2583rd
On Base Percentage.3333rd
Slugging Percentage.40617th