The Rays jumped into the off-season early by completing a 6-player trade with the Seattle Mariners while the Kansas City Royals were still hungover from their World Series celebration.
The key player the Rays gave up was starting pitcher Nate Karns.
Trading a pitcher like Karns is almost unheard of. Karns posted a 3.67 ERA in 26 starts, will make close to minimum salary for the next two years, and has five years (5!) left before he hits free agency.
Sure, Karns is no ace-in-waiting, but he looks like he will be a dependable 3rd- or 4th-starter in the big leagues for years to come.