The Rays opted for youth and control in a trade with Miami, signaling a shift in priorities behind the plate heading into the season’s stretch run.

The trade deadline season is just above the horizon, and the stove is starting to heat up as the Rays issued a trade to the Kansas City Royals. The Tampa Bay Rays have sent right-handed pitcher Joey Krehbiel to the Royals in exchange for cash considerations.

The Tampa Bay Rays went into the MLB trade deadline as buyers, but their perspective is changing due to their struggles.

But as the July 31 trade deadline approaches, that seems like the much more likely outcome. In the past month, the Red Sox have gotten scorching hot and the Rays have fallen all the way down to 53-52, right on the border of "sell" territory.