MLB trade rumors: Rays likely to target hitting

The Tampa Bay Rays have some moves to make to fill out their roster going into the Winter Meetings this week in Nashville, and the common line of thinking seems to be when, rather than if, they'll make a move for some hitting.

The Rays currently have holes at first base and DH, and could stand to add another outfielder. The free-agent market could prove to be more expensive than usual this offseason, so making a trade would seem to make the most sense, given Tampa Bay's modest budget. The team has a surplus of pitching, so a number of the team's pitchers at the major-league level could find themselves in new homes this spring, including James Shields and Jeremy Hellickson.

The Rays have been rumored to be pursuing Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton. However, Justin's brother, B.J. Upton, just left Tampa and signed with the Atlanta Braves as a free agent.