TAMPA — The three most veteran Rays — Brandon Lowe, Pete Fairbanks and Yandy Diaz — have lockers in the back corner of the Steinbrenner Field clubhouse.
Could that prime real estate soon have a vacancy or two?
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With the July 31 trade deadline approaching, it’s pretty much open season on rumors, speculation, alleged inside info and, to use the technical term, crap people make up.
For example, someone wrote somewhat reasonably last week that given the Rays’ history of trading players close to free agency, “someone like Yandy Diaz could be available” and “if he is, sources indicate, he’d be high on the wish list of some Red Sox decision-makers.”
The ”if” and “some” aside, that report was then aggregated and repackaged in some liberal ways.
One headline: Red Sox Linked to $32 Million AL Batting Champ in Big Trade Deadline Move.
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Another: Will the Red Sox Go after Yandy Diaz and Crush the Rays’ Playoff Dreams?
In that world, with family, friends and fans constantly asking them what’s up, the players try to go about their normal business of performing on the highest stage — and hoping they don’t see baseball operations president Erik Neander’s number pop up on their phone.
“When this time comes, you always get a little bit worried,” said Diaz, via team interpreter Eddie Rodriguez. “But I just leave it in God’s hands. And the one that has the decision here is (Neander), so I just leave it to him. … If they trade me or not, it’s up to them. But I love it here.”
Diaz is signed through 2026, as the Rays in March preemptively picked up his $12 million option and added another for 2027. The other two have less commitment; Lowe has an $11.5 million option for 2026, Fairbanks has an option for $8 million that with three more appearances will jump to $9 million.
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Both have heard rumors, are familiar with how the Rays typically do business and are not eager to leave.
“It’s been the same thing for about six years now. I understand how this organization works, I’ve been here long enough. I’ve seen it happen. I’ve seen my friends go. I’ve seen people that I never thought would get traded go,” Lowe said.
“So if it happens, just hope I go somewhere that’s trying to bring home a ring. And we’ll make do there. But I can’t say that any organization or anything else — this is the only thing I’ve ever known. Guys that come in say this place is great, and I’ll take their word for it. I’ve enjoyed every bit of my time here. So whether or not there’s more time, let’s see what happens.”
Added Fairbanks: “It is what it is. I’ve been here long enough that I understand, I know how it’s typically run. And that’s not something I’m going to worry myself necessarily over.”
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The most likely trade candidate in the clubhouse actually may be starter Zack Littell. He makes $5.72 million this year, is headed to free agency after the season, and the Rays have potential replacements in Joe Boyle and rehabbing ace Shane McClanahan.
Littell said he has learned to not pay attention to the rumors.
“This has been a possibility since this time last year,” Littell said. “There’s a million reasons why. There’s a million reasons why not. I think it’s really going to come down to what do they think makes the organization better moving forward, and for the rest of year. I definitely don’t want to leave, but I understand the business side of it.”
Sale rumblings
While declining to address any specifics about impact from the pending sale of the team, Neander said Thursday that it was “business as usual with respect to trying to win games the way we’re trying to do it.” … Prospective new owner Patrick Zalupski’s seat in the commissioner’s suite at Monday’s All-Star Home Run Derby was at the invitation of commissioner Rob Manfred. … As chairman of the famed Augusta National Golf Club, Fred Ridley seems likely to be a popular member of the potential new ownership group among the players. … Manfred, in reference to a multi-subject question about several Rays’ issues ending with the team’s overall future: “That last one’s a big one.”
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Draft rumblings
Paying top draft pick Daniel Pierce a $4,313,100 bonus that is $1 million under slot value may mean the Rays are planning a bigger bonus to sign a lower-round pick. Maybe Florida catcher Brody Donay? … Knowing trading the No. 37 pick three days before the draft wouldn’t go over well with the scouts, Neander — at the suggestion of scouting director Chuck Ricci — wore his Virginia Tech helmet when going to the pre-draft meeting. … Per mlb.com, the Rays had one of the “biggest steals” in getting Arizona outfielder Brendan Summerhill with the No. 42 pick. … Pierce’s dad, Paul, isn’t much for social media, but went along a couple years ago when his sons set him up with a Twitter account. Given he shares a name with a former NBA star, there was some confusion: “Like, boom, LeBron James comes in (and follows his account.) I go, ‘Wow, LeBron James.’ And about 20 second later, he’s right back out. I guess he noticed I wasn’t as tall as the other Paul Pierce.”
Rays rumblings
Brandon Lowe made a kind gesture including Wendy Lowe — mother of teammate Josh and ex-Ray Nate — on his card for the Stand up to Cancer tribute at the All-Star Game. Said Josh: “We teared up when we saw it.” … A piece of the tattered Trop roof is being added to the Rays’ collection at the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. … Expect the Rays to open the 2026 season with two or three series on the road to provide extra time to complete repairs to Tropicana Field. … Taj Bradley told MB Sports TV that he is considering pitching in the World Baseball Classic for Mexico, where one of his grandmother has roots. … In describing lefty Ian Seymour’s ability to get out hitters on both sides of the plate, Neander described him as being “platoon agnostic.” … Per the @UmpireAuditor X account, the worst of 15,820 missed pre-break calls was strike 3 on Jake Mangum by umpire Laz Diaz on a Tyler Mahle pitch during a June 3 win over the Rangers. … Fairbanks, who is into pop culture references, also shared his trust in Neander to do what’s best for the team: “What is it they say in The Dark Knight: ‘I believe in Erik Neander, whichever path that takes.’ ” … ESPN’s Jeff Passan said if he owned the Nationals he would be “trying to give Erik Neander the Godfather deal right now” to run the franchise. … The Athletic’s Keith Law said Rays’ Futures Game participate Brody Hopkins has “rotation-ready stuff if he just throws enough strikes with it all.”
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