Rays trade Evan Longoria
The Rays made a move today that many people from the Tampa Bay area and Rays fans around the world never thought would happen, trade Evan Longoria. Longoria was traded to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for three of the Giants top 30 prospects and OF Denard Span.
-INF Christian Arroyo (no. 1)- A local Tampa Bay kid from Hernando High School, is a contact hitter that works the count well and can play either 3B, SS, or 2B. He can show some pull side power and is able to hit all over the field. His long-term look is to play 3B.
-LHP Matt Krook- A 6’4, 210 lb pitcher with plus plus stuff but someone that needs to work on his command. Had TJ surgery while in Oregon as a sophomore. Hasn’t pitched above A ball yet. He is definitely a player that has the chance to make it to the bigs because of his stuff or could fail, Rays and fans hoping he succeeds which we all do!
-RHP Stephen Woods Jr.- A 6’2, 200 lb pitcher taken in the 8th round in the 2016 draft was taken back in the 2013 draft by the Rays in the 6th round but decided to go to SUNY Albany. Also, hasn’t reached above A ball. Big time arm with effective secondary pitches. Reports say he has the stuff to be an effective late inning reliever which is something that the game has worked towards, hence how the free agency period has treated us so far. Really excited to see what he does in our farm.
-OF Denard Span- Another player that’s from Tampa Bay, drafted from Catholic High School in Tampa, Florida. Drafted in the 2002 draft in the first round by the Twins. His splits at Tropicana Field are .261/.313/.304/.617. A 10 year veteran is sure to bring some new flavor to the Rays clubhouse and will be interesting how Kevin Cash and the staff use him.
It will be very interesting to see what the Rays do next. Expect to hear Alex Colomé’s and Jake Odorizzi’s name in the trade rumors.
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