24 hours from deadline, all seems quiet for Rays

With 24 hours until Tuesday's 4 p.m. deadline for non-waiver trades, the Rays are apparently still more into talk than action.

RHP Chris Archer has been and will be the main topic of conversation, with the Rays sorting through interest from around a dozen teams and now asking for final offers, which they could spend all night reviewing.

The Braves, Cardinals, Dodgers, Padres and Yankees are considered the most interested teams and would seem to have the young talent to match up. Other teams that have been mentioned include the A's, Astros, Brewers, Phillies and Pirates.

Archer is of high interest because he is one of the few available frontline pitchers who is more than a rental, under team control for three more seasons at the relative bargain rate of $27.5 million total.

Though the Rays have talked about dealing him for several years, they seem more open to the possibility this time, and have the circumstantial benefit of having several teams interested that have the advanced prospects and young  major-league ready talent to get a deal done.

The Rays have some other players to talk about as well, with reliever Sergio Romo perhaps most likely to go as he is getting discussed by "lots of teams."

Catcher Wilson Ramos was considered a large chip until straining his left hamstring on July 14, and weekend word that he isn't ready to play in a rehab game Monday as hoped impacts his value. Whether the Rays take less from a team willing to take a risk, or take their own gamble on making a waivers deal in August, remains to be seen. The Yankees, Nationals and Brewers have shown interest.

Also, the Rays are open, if not eager, to also (one way or another) move free-agents-to-be shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria and, if anyone was interested, outfielder Carlos Gomez.

They have already shipped pitchers Nathan Eovaldi to Boston, Matt Andriese to Arizona and Jonny Venters to Atlanta.