It looks like the Tampa Bay Rays have decided to be sellers at this year's trade deadline. After the Rays lost 10-4 to the Kansas City Royals on Friday, and the Yankees and Red Sox both won to pick up another game in the standings, Tampa Bay is now 8.5 games out of first place in the AL East and 6.5 games back in the wild card chase.
The first change has already been made. In a move that was maybe too long in coming, Desmond Jennings has been recalled from Triple-A Durham and is on his way to Kansas City to join the big club. Jennings made his Rays debut last season, playing in 17 regular-season games and two more in the American League Division Series.
Reid Brignac was optioned back to Durham to make room on the Rays' 25-man roster for Jennings. Still, you wonder if a trade is in the works. Jennings has long been seen as the eventual replacement in center field for B.J. Upton, and Upton's name has been all over trade rumors this month. Is the Rays' first deadline deal about to go down? Stay tuned...