Hugwatch: it’s one of those fun baseball terms that sounds light and fluffy, but can spell heartbreak or excitement for fans. Hugwatch is the concept of watching players for sudden signs of trade, ie: farewell hugs in the dugout mid-game.
But admit it, there’s something riveting and exciting about trade season. Armchair experts make their best guesses, and real experts try to assess the needs and offerings of each team. It’s the time of year when teams admit if they’ve decided to plan for next year, or if they’re going all in on this season.
The Rays are in one of baseball’s toughest divisions, and while some folks thought they’d be tanking from the get-go, they’ve actually hustled hard.