The Tampa Bay Rays are cutting costs again, and for the first time, Evan Longoria is watching from afar and feeling sympathetic.
Longoria, who was traded to the San Francisco Giants earlier on the offseason, said he felt “sorry” for Rays fans after they traded pitcher Jake Odorizzi and designated outfielder Corey Dickerson for assignment, likely with the intent to trade him.
Evan Longoria on the Rays moves, including dumping Corey Dickerson: “I just kind of feel sorry for the Rays fan base. …I’m not going to take too many shots but it’s pretty obvious that guy is a valuable player and didn’t deserve to be DFAd. Corey was our best player last year.”
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) February 18, 2018
Dickerson was due roughly $6 million in 2018 after hitting .282 with 27 home runs and making the All-Star team last season.
This isn’t the first time Longoria has been critical of the Rays for making moves like this. It must be disheartening to see a team dropping their payroll below $70 million when MLB’s revenues are at an all-time high. Given Longoria’s rich history and attachment to the franchise, you can understand why he’d be sad about it, too.
