"Analysis: Rays Offload Expensive Players Following Unsuccessful Purchase Attempt"

According to the New York Post, the Tampa Bay Rays' decision to trade away some of their top players before the trade deadline was partially influenced by a failed attempt to sell the team.

Rays owner Stuart Sternberg had been looking to sell the team to a group of local investors for $1.6 billion, but the deal fell through when the main investor backed out and another potential buyer worth $10 billion did not follow through.

Despite reaching the playoffs for the past five seasons, the Rays have struggled this year with a record of 55-53 and are currently 9 1/2 games behind the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East and 4 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot.

In the past week, the Rays have made several trades, including sending outfielder Randy Arozarena to the Seattle Mariners, right-hander Zach Eflin to the Orioles, right-handed reliever Jason Adam to the San Diego Padres, and third baseman Isaac Paredes to the Chicago Cubs. They also traded infielder/outfielder Amed Rosario to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Interestingly, the Orioles are the only team in the past four years to have a change in ownership.