Not all that long ago, getting traded to the Tampa Bay My how times have changed.
With the Rays having their best year ever, and being only 1.5 games behind the Red Sox, suddenly Tampa doesn't seem like a bad location to get traded to.
Even better, some people are actually looking to get traded. According to SI's Jon Heyman, word is that Ken Griffey Jr. is more than open to going to Rays if they can hang in there.
Griffey, 39, has a no-trade clause but has told intimates that if the Rays stay in the race, he'd consider waiving his veto power to go home. Or close to home, anyway. Tampa is much nearer his Orlando-area residence than any other big-league city. Griffey's tony Isleworth community is about an hour from St. Petersburg, where the Rays play.In all honesty, the move makes a lot of sense. The Reds have clearly been recharging with a youth movement and are still at least a year from contention. It's also believed by baseball insiders that the Reds will indeed be looking to trade Griffey this year, likely sometime after the All Star game.
You may also remember the Rays briefly considered signing Barry Bonds early on this season, but decided against it. I admittedly think that was a more than solid move by the Rays.
Griffey of course doesn't have any of the baggage of Bonds and he's always been a great teammate, so the idea that Griffey could disrupt their momentum seems unlikely. Provided the Rays don't have to give up too much for him, he'd likely be a great addition.
Since the Rays don't have a set right fielder, there's already a spot available for him. And of course Griffey could always DH.
Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts about this potential trade.
Would Griffey consider being dealt to the surprising Rays? [SI]
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