Rays' pitching a 'position of strength' in trade talks

The Tampa Bay Rays always find a way to remain competitive in the American League - despite having one of the lowest payrolls in the majors - because of their incredible pitching depth.

President of baseball operations Matthew Silverman has already made a pair of moves this fall, pulling off a six-player trade with the Seattle Mariners to bring first baseman Logan Morrison and shortstop Brad Miller to Tampa, and he plucked right-hander Chase Whitley off waivers from the New York Yankees. Silverman isn't done wheeling and dealing yet, though.

"We're having conversations out of a position of strength given the pitching depth that we have and look forward to seeing how the rest of the offseason unfolds," Silverman told Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

Rumors have been swirling the Rays are shopping relievers Jake McGee and Brad Boxberger to other clubs, and Silverman anticipates trade talks intensifying ahead of the winter meetings in early December.

"Once we get past this roster deadline it tends to free up clubs to explore more conversations, whether they are free agent or trade conversations, and so I expect those will pick up after the Thanksgiving holiday as we head into the winter meetings," Silverman added. "This will be the time of year when rumors are flying and lots of activity will be taking place, and we'll certainly be in the mix in terms of those conversations."

The Rays are rich with controllable hurlers, only committing to long-terms deals with staff ace Chris Archer and lefty Matt Moore. Tampa Bay designated four players - J.P. Arencibia, Daniel Nava, Brandon Gomes, and Kirby Yates - for assignment Friday, and added five pitchers to its 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 Draft.