The Tampa Bay Rays are determined to find affordable trade deadline help as they try to keep pace in the AL wild card race.
According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com, the Rays have asked the Texas Rangers about the availability of DH Hunter Pence, who is enjoying a resurgent season in Arlington.
Source: #Rays have inquired to #Rangers on availability of All-Star DH Hunter Pence. Credit to @Jim_Duquette for mentioning this fit on @MLBNetworkRadio this morning. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 22, 2019
Pence is hitting .290 with 15 home runs in a surprising comeback year that saw him make the American League All-Star team. The 36-year-old recently returned to action after missing about a month with a groin problem. He’s on a one-year deal, so if Texas opted to move him, the price would likely not be prohibitive. That perfectly suits the Rays’ approach to “responsibly” adding at the deadline.
