The Tampa Bay Rays may move Brad Miller from first base to second base to fill the void left by the trade of Logan Forsythe to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
While the Rays have several internal options such as Tim Beckham and Nick Franklin, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports the "primary plan" is to relocate Miller, who previously shifted from shortstop to first base. By moving Miller, Topkin reports the Rays could look to add a bat by seeking a bargain on the free-agent market.
As for free-agent options, Topkin suggests the Rays are looking at a "large group" that includes Mark Reynolds and Chris Carter. Mike Napoli also has been linked to the Rays, but may be out of their price range.
The 27-year-old Miller, who spent three years in Seattle before being traded to Tampa Bay following the 2015 season, hit a career-high 30 homers with a .243/.304/.482 slash line in 2016.
Meanwhile, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe lists free-agent catcher Matt Wieters as "a possibility" for the Rays, who will not have Wilson Ramos available until June or July. Wieters does not appear to be a fit at first base given he has played just three major league games there and the Rays are looking for a righty bat at the position.
- Doug Mittler
