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The Tampa Bay Rays are interested in acquiring third baseman Ryan Roberts of the Arizona Diamondbacks, reports Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports. Roberts can play multiple positions in the infield, but would be just be a stopgap for the Rays until star third baseman Evan Longoria returns.
Source: Rays have interest in Dbacks' Ryan Roberts. Could handle 3B in Longoria absence, tho Keppinger has hit.
— Tim Brown (@TBrownYahoo) July 24, 2012
Given their other options at third base, it's unclear whether the D'Backs would be looking to move Roberts despite his offensive struggles. The 31-year-old is hitting just .252/.307/.360 with 6 home runs over 276 plate appearances this season. Roberts is owed less than $1 million for the remainder of this season and is arbitration eligible.
However, he could be a cheap and short-term option at the right price for Tampa with flexibility to move him in the off-season or non-tender the arbitration eligible Roberts in the off-season.