The Rays best chance of making the post season in 2026 is if all of the northeast secedes from this autocracy and joins Canada, who then closes their southern border to the invaders from the shithole country below them. Outside of that happening, the Rays have zero chance of making the postseason. They have replacement players at 6 positions, and spent their resources building up a bullpen to protect leads they will rarely have. On top of all this, they have a below average farm system. If Caminero won't sign a long term extension, it's time to Flop In The Trop and build up the farm to levels never seen before. I want A+ to see it's first ever undefeated season. Caminero playing on 75 win teams for the next 4 years only to leave a year after that just as the new park opens is not how I would approach the coming seasons. If they are content with basically 0 WAR being produced at SS, C, LF, CF, RF, and 2b (Gavin Lux had a sub .300 xwOBA and was -7 runs OAA, so the "He's better than BLowe" takes can fuck all the way off), then make it 7 positions of suckitude and fill that farm system to the max. I have zero interest in being the 2010's Angels with one great player, an aging DH/1B, an empty farm system, and a perpetual 78 win team. The Rays would need a team with a farm full of prospects who can afford to empty the farm for a generational talent. There's probably only one of those teams. The Dodgers play Caminero at 2b in 2026 as Muncy's a FA in 27. The Dodgers proceed to become even more of a dynasty, employing mostly ex-Rays to do so.

LOL. You make me seem positively giddy for the Rays future. It’s too early to consider trading JC. If he has another good year, I suspect his trade value holds steady or even increases, notwithstanding the loss of a year of control. Plus, $100MM trades are incredibly rare. I doubt the Dodgers would give up this package for a guy with just 1year under his belt.