Jake McGee Trade Rumors: Latest News, Speculation Surrounding Rays P

Jake McGee has been a staple at the back end of the Tampa Bay Rays' bullpen for the past several seasons, but the veteran lefty could be on the move.

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Report: McGee Trade Talks Intensifying

Friday, Dec. 11

According to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, the McGee trade front has heated up significantly over the past one or two days.

With the Los Angeles Dodgers' trade for Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman looking as though it has fallen through, Morosi speculates the Dodgers could turn their attention toward McGee due to their front office's familiarity with him:

McGee is a 29-year-old reliever who has spent parts of the past two seasons as Tampa's closer, but has been a setup man at times as well.

Although McGee appeared in only 39 games last season due to an elbow injury, he enjoyed a solid year with a 2.41 ERA, six saves and 48 strikeouts in 37.1 innings.

McGee was even better in 2014, though, when he dominated to the tune of a 1.89 ERA, 19 saves and 90 punch-outs in 71.1 innings pitched.

A trade for McGee would make sense for the Dodgers or any other team looking for a great lefty reliever since McGee has proven capable of excelling in almost any role.

Dealing him would also be sensible for the Rays since he is in the midst of his arbitration years, which isn't ideal for a cash-conscious franchise.

Brad Boxberger saved 41 games for Tampa this past season, so it already has a contingency plan in place if McGee is on the move.

The Rays typically aren't a team that invests heavily in relievers, and due to the demand for McGee on the trade market, a swap seems like the smartest move for the organization since it could spend the money allocated to McGee elsewhere.

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