The Tampa Bay Rays were in need of a big bat this offseason. There were widespread rumors all winter that they were connected to some of the fiercest sluggers in the game. They failed to sign Josh Donaldson and then were too slow on Nelson Cruz. There were rumors circulating that they had traded for Edwin Encarnacion, but that turned out to be a false report.
In January, it seemed the Rays had massively misplayed their cards as there weren’t any big names left on the market, and eventually it was reported that the Rays were closing in a one year deal with veteran outfielder Avisail Garcia, who was coming off an injury plagued season with the Chicago White Sox.