NY Mets: Five offseason Brandon Nimmo trade destinations

Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays were the second-best team in baseball in 2020, but even the best of the best aren’t perfect.

The Rays boast one of the very best pitching staffs in the league and are extremely well-coached, but their lineup could use some work. Getting an outfielder likely isn’t at the top of their to-do list, but it’s something they should consider.

They have some strong hitters but if they hope to build a World Series contender for years to come, the front office will have to strengthen that lineup further. Randy Arozarena has taken the baseball world by storm with his historically great postseason play but it’s still unclear whether or not he can continuously play this well.

Yoshi Tsutsugo struggled mightily at the plate in his first MLB season and is signed for just one more year. Kevin Kiermaier is one of the best defensive outfielders in baseball but isn’t a great hitter. Hunter Renfroe has been getting worse and worse and simply cannot be a starter for a contender.

Manuel Margot is versatile and has a great glove but Nimmo is a better hitter. Margot was also Tampa’s most common leadoff man this season, but Nimmo would be a huge upgrade in that role.

The Rays are also lucky to have the best farm system in baseball, which is littered with excellent pitching prospects whom they might be inclined to ship to New York in exchange for Nimmo.

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As for players on the major league roster, the Rays may feel forced to sacrifice one of their many excellent relievers in order to strengthen the outfield/lineup, a deal that would work out quite well for both the Rays and Mets.