With the offseason starting to heat up, the Tampa Bay Rays might be getting into some competition for an ideal free agent with another team from their division. 

Even though it is very early in the winter and a lot can change, it is clear that the American League East is once again going to be one of the best divisions in baseball. This is a group that isn’t afraid to spend money for the most part, and there are a lot of great players. 

For the Rays, they are trying to keep pace with some of the teams despite their payroll being much less. Tampa Bay has always been able to operate successfully despite this, but that is seemingly growing more challenging. 

Like the other teams in the division, the Rays have some needs that they would like to address this winter. Unfortunately, one of their most pressing needs is also a position that a division rival is reportedly interested in upgrading as well. 

Ken Rosenthal and Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic (subscription required) recently wrote about the Boston Red Sox expressing an interest in an ideal target in free agency for the Rays. 

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