At first glance, Friday's Shane Baz trade was positive news for the Boston Red Sox. Boston's collective competition didn't get any better or worse, as Baz went from one American League East team to another, but his departure from the Rays appeared to make Tampa Bay a weaker suitor for Ketel Marte, whom the Red Sox are also after.
The Rays have been in on Marte, but Baz was rumored to be one of Tampa Bay's biggest chips in a potential deal, as Arizona seeks pitching. With Baz no longer in the picture, did Tampa Bay just fall behind in the Marte race?