At this time last year, much of the trade talk around here centered around starting pitcher Alex Cobb. He was in his final year with the Rays with little or no chance of signing a contract extension. The Rays were flirting with playoff aspirations, so trading him would have stung a bit.
We all know the outcome at the deadline last season. The Rays stood firm on what they required in return and came away with nothing. Well, they got a compensation pick, the 31st pick this year, which they turned in to USF LHP Shane McClanahan.