Rays pick up SS in trade with Miami
As the mid-point of the 2017 baseball season approaches, the Tampa Bay Rays are wheelin and dealin acquiring SS Adeiny Hechavarria from the Miami Marlins in exchange for 2 minor league players.
Hechavarria is hitting .277 with 1 HR and 6 RBI's in 65 AB this season. He is currently on the 10 day DL and should return the first week of July.
Why would the Rays make this trade? Why trade for a guy on the DL which the Rays are have a propensity for doing lately? Wilson Ramos anyone?
It means that the Rays have no idea when SS Matt Duffy will be available. Duffy who was penciled in as the starting SS when the Rays made the trade last year was to be ready by spring training. That got pushed back to the start of the regular season, and then there was set back after set back, and just last week Duffy was in Charlotte to visit with the surgeon to try to determine the source of the pain he is experiencing.
Secondly, it means that Brad Miller is not close to returning from his stint on the DL. Third, it means that the Rays do not like the middle infield the way it is structured now with Tim Beckham at SS and Daniel Robertson at 2B.
Fourth, the infield defense will improve dramatically when Hechavarria gets in the lineup. Hechavarria has a lifetime .979 fielding percentage and is perfect on his chances so far the year. Beckham has improved his game dramatically from last season as he came to camp with his head on straight, focused, and ready to contribute and make this team. Not getting the call up to the Rays last September left an impact an Beckham in a positive way, as he has been a contributor all year.
Beckham has a lifetime .962 fielding percentage and has made 9 errors this season.
With Hechavarria in the line-up, Beckham can move to 2B, and Daniel Robertson can come off the bench and be the role player the Rays had in mind for him when the season began.
The Rays felt that this was a trade they had to make to improve the club, but unless they are going to acquire a relief pitcher to two, this team will not be a threat in the post-season and may just implode down the stretch.
Photo's courtesy of MLB
