While the Miami Marlins have been ruffling feathers across the state, the Tampa Bay Rays have continued to be quiet at the Winter Meetings. Andrew Friedman isn't worried, though, and actually appears quite content with how things have progressed to this point:
"We've in the last 24 hours had a number of productive conversations, some that have kind of been off-shoots of talks that we had had in the preceding days,'' Friedman said. "Trades are so difficult to characterize, but I do feel there is decent momentum on a couple of fronts that have a chance to materialize. Whether that's in a day or in a month, that's tough to say. But there are certain spots where ideally we'd be more aggressive and take care of so we could take care of other areas. It doesn't always work out that way.'' (Marc Topkin, St. Petersburg Times)
The Rays are looking to add a first baseman and DH, and it's possible they could fill those holes on the trade market. There are many teams out there searching for a starting pitcher, and considering that C.J. Wilson and Mark Buehrle are now off the market, it seems likely that the trade market will only pick up.
Also, the Rays have been linked the outfielder Josh Willingham in recent days, but it appears that they may have fallen out of the running. According to Susan Slusser from the San Francisco Chronicle, the final three teams in on Willingham are the Twins, Indians, and Rockies. Sigh...it was a good dream while it lasted.
To join in the conversation about the Rays' offseason and potential moves, head over the SB Nation's blog on the Rays, DRaysBay.