Rays Rumors: Dodgers interested in Logan Forsythe

The Dodgers are definitely looking everywhere to find an upgrade at second base. Reports have previously connected them to the Twins’ Brian Dozier and the Tigers’ Ian Kinsler. But they’re also looking at the Rays’ Logan Forsythe, according to MLB.com’s Jon MorosiL:

Forsythe is a classic Rays late-bloomer, who broke out with a five-win season at age 28 in 2015, hitting .281/.359/.444 with 17 homers. Tampa rewarded him with a two year contract, with a team option for 2018. He followed it up with another strong campaign last year, hitting .264/.333/.444 with 20 homers. He also provides solid defense up the middle.

It’s not hard to see why he interests the Dodgers so much. With Howie Kendrick traded to Philadelphia and Chase Utley and Justin Turner exploring the free market, Kiké Hernandez is probably the leading in-house candidate for the position, and he’s coming off an awful and injury-plagued year. Meanwhile, Forsythe would presumably cost less to acquire than the better, and more firmly established Kinsler or Dozier.

Tampa Bay, meanwhile, would be selling high on a good, but not great, player who they acquired as a throw-in in a minor trade that also netted them Brad Boxberger. Forsythe’s value has never been, nor will it ever likely be higher. It would be a classic Rays move.

That’s not always a good thing, however. Tampa lost 94 games last year, their worst finish since 2007, and have finished below .500 for three straight years. And the only players left from the core of the 2013 club that won an AL Wild Card are Evan Longoria, Chris Archer, and what’s left of Alex Cobb. Because of their stadium, market, and payroll constraints, the Rays have turned their roster over time and again, and it would be painful to see another productive player shipped out. But with Willy Adames almost ready to debut, and Matt Duffy available to play second base, it’s probably the smart move in the long run.