MLB Trade Rumors: Tampa Bay Rays Would Be Wise to Trade for Shortstop

The one glaring weakness for the Tampa Bay Rays this offseason is shortstop, and they would be wise to address the position.

Currently sporting Sean Rodriguez and Reid Brignac, the Rays not only need to find a replacement at shortstop, they have the pieces to do so.

There are murmurs that the Rays could offer starting pitchers Jeff Niemann or Wade Davis for a solid shortstop, given their pitching depth. They also could trade center fielder B.J. Upton for a natural shortstop like the Washington Nationals' second-year pro Danny Espinosa.

Rodriguez hit .223 in 373 at-bats last season. He had the second-worst on-base percentage of Rays players with at least 300 at-bats in 2011. He's also a career .229 hitter.

Brignac isn't much better. In fact, he's worse. Brignac hit .193 in 249 at-bats last season and hit only one home run.

Espinosa, a 2008 third-round pick, certainly didn't light the world on fire in 2011. He hit .236 for the season. But he does have power, clubbing 21 home runs with 66 RBI and 72 runs last season. He also proved to be a threat as a base-stealer, notching 17 steals. You add in the fact that he has the potential to improve at 24 years of age, and he may be worth the risk.

There are also indications that the Rays may go after former San Francisco Giants midfielder Jeff Keppinger. Keppinger is a decent hitter, hitting .281 for his career. The only problem with him is he's not a natural shortstop and he's better suited at second base.

It's still unclear who the Rays will ultimately end up with, but one thing's for sure: They need to land someone, and if it takes giving up a little extra, then so be it.