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Karns, Jepsen are hot topics in Rays trade talks

 
Rays reliever Kevin Jepsen seems a likely candidate to be involved in a deal, with the trade deadline this afternoon.
Rays reliever Kevin Jepsen seems a likely candidate to be involved in a deal, with the trade deadline this afternoon.
Published July 31, 2015

BOSTON — The Rays have several decisions to finalize today.

Trade discussions are at the forefront, as after "lots of talks" over the past several days they are down to the final hours before today's 4 p.m. deadline for nonwaiver trades.

There were indications Thursday they were in listening mode on several of their pitchers, including RH Nathan Karns, who seemed to be a popular topic of conversation based on his 6-5, 3.37 mark through 20 games in his rookie season.

It still seemed more likely that if they made a deal, it would involve a reliever, with RH Kevin Jepsen atop the list of candidates to be dealt.

"We use the deadline to brainstorm with other clubs without expectation of action," baseball operations president Matt Silverman said Thursday night. "Sometimes things do line up, but even if they don't, the dialogue is valuable."

Along with those discussions, the Rays were also weighing how best to fill the spot opened on their roster by Tuesday's trade of OF David DeJesus.

C Bobby Wilson was called up Wednesday to provide depth, as the Rays wanted to start Rene Rivera behind the plate and use Curt Casali as the DH. But Wilson did not accompany the team on the Thursday afternoon flight to Boston, so another move appears coming.

Veteran lefty-swinging OF/DH Grady Sizemore would seem the most likely candidate, but with the potential of facing left-handed starters five of the next six games against the Red Sox and White Sox it makes more sense to add an extra right-handed hitter initially.

Though power-hitting prospect Richie Shaffer has made a case with 23 homers at the Double-A and Triple-A level, the Rays are not ready to make the call for the 2012 top draft pick, who can play first and third base. More likely, the team could summon OF Mikie Mahtook, who has been up this season, going 3-for-20 with two homers, and is hitting .236 in 76 games at Durham, with two homers and 26 RBIs.

Another option could be J.P. Arencibia, a veteran of five big-league seasons with Toronto and Texas who has 20 home runs, though a .220 average, in 82 games at Durham and can play first, DH and catch.

SWING GUYS: Casali said a key to his offensive outburst was taking a more aggressive approach earlier in the count. And he said he wasn't only one as hitting coach Derek Shelton was spreading a similar message .

"I think we are all trying to be too cautious, we are all trying to grind out at-bats, and there's nothing wrong with that, but it just wasn't working for us," Casali said. "We're trying to stay in a good attack mode right now, and as you can see it seems to be helping the lineup as a whole."

REHAB REPORT: LHP Drew Smyly (shoulder) makes his second rehab start tonight, slated to throw four innings or 60 pitches for advanced Class A Charlotte in Lakeland. … OF Desmond Jennings, out since April with a left knee issue that led to arthroscopic surgery, starts a rehab assignment tonight with Triple-A Durham, with plans to get 25-30 at-bats and rejoin the Rays in mid August. … Top prospect SS Daniel Robertson, out since an early June fracture of the hamate bone in his left hand, started playing for the Gulf Coast League team this week and should rejoin Montgomery soon.