Rays claim SS Tsung-Che Cheng

Sentiment Analysis

The Rays' waiver claim of shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng has been met with the collective shrug it deserves — a classic Tampa Bay organizational depth move that neither excites nor concerns anyone. Media coverage has been minimal, with most outlets treating this as standard roster housekeeping rather than a meaningful addition, which tells you everything about Cheng's perceived ceiling as a fringe utility infielder. Rays fans are approaching this with their usual pragmatic indifference, understanding that the front office's track record of finding diamonds in the rough doesn't automatically apply to every waiver wire pickup, especially one that couldn't stick with the Mets' notoriously thin middle infield depth. This fits perfectly into Tampa Bay's broader philosophy of accumulating organizational filler while keeping payroll costs near zero, though Cheng's AAAA profile suggests he's more insurance policy than legitimate contributor. The C+ CVI reflects the reality that this move will likely be forgotten within weeks — either Cheng provides adequate depth in Triple-A Durham, or he gets designated for assignment when someone better comes along, making this the definition of a neutral transaction.