Before the 2017 season, the Rays took a gamble on The Buffalo, Wilson Ramos, who was recovering from knee surgery. Ramos was able to return during the second part of 2017 and give the Rays slightly below-average production. This might have disappointed some fans, but his two-year deal was always about 2018.
In year two, The Buffalo was exactly as advertised. He was a star. On a franchise with a history of terrible-hitting catchers, he gave true middle-of-the-order production at a premium position.
An ill-timed groin pull meant that Rays fans were neither able to enjoy that production through the end of the year, nor to pin their hopes on a hefty prospect return when Ramos was traded (the PTBNL that Philadelphia sends to Tampa Bay will likely depend on how soon he’s ready to play).