ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays already made one major Trade Deadline splash last Thursday, acquiring veteran slugger Nelson Cruz from the Twins. According to multiple reports, they’re not done pursuing big-name additions.

The Rays have had “preliminary discussions” regarding impending free agents Max Scherzer and Kris Bryant, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Tuesday. The Athletic’s Jayson Stark reported that Tampa Bay is one of eight teams “known to be in on” Scherzer, the three-time Cy Young Award winner in the final season of his seven-year, $210 million deal with the Nationals; the Dodgers, Giants, Padres, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Astros and Mets round out that list, according to Stark’s report.

Additionally, the Rays have been linked to Rangers right-hander Kyle Gibson, one of the top available starting pitchers available leading up to the Trade Deadline on Friday at 4 p.m. ET.

There are a few things worth keeping in mind as the rumors continue to fly this week. The Rays have the organizational depth and the front-office creativity to complete just about any deal they want, and their acquisition of Cruz showed general manager Erik Neander’s willingness to make aggressive moves to improve their chances of returning to the World Series.

That does not guarantee that the Rays will reach a deal, however. This time of year, it’s safe to assume that every contending club has had discussions about every potentially available player. And acquiring highly paid stars like Scherzer or Bryant would be out of character for the cost-conscious Rays, especially if doing so involves winning a bidding war against several big-market teams.

Scherzer’s situation is particularly complex. The 37-year-old right-hander can block any trade due to his 10-and-5 rights, and MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand has reported that Scherzer “strongly prefers the West Coast.” Feinsand also reported Tuesday that the Giants, Dodgers and Padres “remain the favorites to land Scherzer.” And that situation could be resolved soon, as MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal reported that the Nationals would like to have a deal in place within the next two days.

Bryant has reportedly been pursued by clubs like the Mets, who have a more obvious need for the versatile slugger than the Rays -- especially after they already acquired a right-handed slugger in Cruz. But Tampa Bay has a clearer need for another front-line starting pitcher, whether it’s Scherzer or Gibson or someone else.

The Rays dealt away veteran lefty Rich Hill last Friday to clear a spot in their rotation for 21-year-old right-hander Luis Patiño, and they expect to have rehabbing righty Chris Archer back as soon as this weekend. Prospect Shane Baz could make an impact near the end of the season, after he returns from the Olympics, and ace Tyler Glasnow has expressed optimism that he’ll be back before the postseason.

Those three come with great upside but also risk; Archer has only pitched 4 1/3 innings in the Majors since 2019, Baz has little upper-level experience, and Glasnow is still only playing catch. Adding an ace like Scherzer would represent a substantial improvement to the Rays’ rotation, much like the trade for Cruz significantly upgraded their lineup. And pushing for a pitcher like Gibson would provide some certainty down the stretch.

Tampa Bay must be mindful of the cost, both financially and in terms of the way it might impact the club’s future, but clearly the Rays aren’t done trying to improve as the Deadline draws near.

“There's, I guess, a lot of options that could go down,” right-hander Michael Wacha said. “I know our team, our focus is on playing games and winning the game that's going on that day. So [we] try not to focus too much on those things that we can't really control and just keep going out there and playing. But we all understand that a lot could down, for sure, in the next few days.”

Draft signings
The Rays have signed their entire 2021 MLB Draft class after inking third-round infielder Ryan Spikes, eighth-round left-hander Patrick Wicklander and 16th-round righty Ian Leatherman on Tuesday. With those three having agreed to terms, Tampa Bay signed all 21 of its selections well in advance of Sunday’s deadline.

• Rays 2021 MLB Draft Tracker

Wicklander, an Arkansas lefty who emerged as one of the top-performing pitchers in the Southeastern Conference, signed for a below-slot bonus of $147,500, MLB.com’s Jim Callis reported. Spikes, a shortstop from Parkview High School (Lilburn, Ga.), signed for an above-slot bonus, although terms were not immediately available.

Spikes, who chose the Rays over the University of Tennessee, made his signing official Tuesday afternoon at Tropicana Field before beginning his professional baseball career on Wednesday at Tampa Bay’s Spring Training complex in Port Charlotte, Fla.

“College, pro ball, they’re both two very great options,” Spikes said. “It really came down to what felt best, what suited my preferences and my style and ultimately what can help me get to my all-time goal the quickest. Professional baseball is that route, so I chose it.”

That all-time goal? Not just making it back to The Trop someday.

“Hall of Fame,” Spikes said, smiling.