The Rays slugger ignited speculation of a blockbuster trade after posting a photo of himself with Shohei Ohtani.
Mere days after Shohei Ohtani signed a record-breaking contract with the Dodgers and rocked the baseball world, fans are curious how the team will follow up their blockbuster move.
The Dodgers still need a corner outfielder, preferably in left field, and a right-handed power bat to balance out their lineup.
So when Rays slugger Randy Arozarena posted a photo to Instagram that showed him posting with Ohtani at this year’s World Baseball Classic, MLB fans immediately began speculating as to what he may have been saying with the social media post.
Was Arozarena simply expressing admiration for the massive deal Ohtani signed? Or could he have been hinting that it would be fun to play with the new Dodgers star, and that the Rays and Dodgers could pursue a trade?
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The Instagram photo ignited a frenzy of comments, many of them responding to rumors that the Dodgers may be trying to acquire both Arozarena and pitcher Tyler Glasnow, who would provide badly needed starting pitching.
This has to be one of the best Christmas months ever
— Omar (@OmarV62312) December 13, 2023
#Ohtani’s interpreter literally just starting following Arozarena minutes ago. He wasn’t following him earlier today. This might be happening. He also follows #Glasnow. ???? Friedman cooking! pic.twitter.com/vU8ZymJo5Q
— Audel Del Toro (@CantBeatAudel) December 13, 2023
Sad thing is, us Rays fans just expect it at this point. God forbid anyone makes more than $3 a year.
— #FireJeffBlashill (@TampaBayB2B) December 13, 2023
Nothing will hit like the Ohtani signing but that Arozarena to LA tweet is gonna spark some crazy dopamine
— Travis (@travisinLB) December 10, 2023
the rest of the league after seeing that Arozarena post pic.twitter.com/u71iushAXC
— jesse???? (@velamania_) December 13, 2023
Arozarena, 28, still has three seasons of arbitration eligibility, providing an amount of team control—in addition to cost control—that will likely compel Tampa Bay to ask for a lot in return.
Last season, Arozarena earned $4.2 million in his fifth season as a major leaguer, avoiding arbitration with the Rays. For 2024, he is projected to earn between $7 million and $9 million through arbitration. Unless Tampa Bay—or another team—signs him to a long-term deal that covers his remaining years of arbitration eligibility.
The outfielder batted .254 with a .789 OPS, 23 home runs, 83 RBI and 22 stolen bases last season. However, Arozarena’s postseason production might be most appealing to the Dodgers. In 33 games with the Rays, he’s hit .336 with a 1.104 OPS and 11 home runs.
