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We’ve got an MLB trade deadline blockbuster! Here are some particulars:
#MNTwins complete trade with Tampa Bay Rays.
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 22, 2021
Club acquires right-handed minor league pitchers Joe Ryan and Drew Strotman, in exchange for designated hitter Nelson Cruz and right-handed minor league pitcher Calvin Faucher.
So the Rays (57-39) are one game behind the Red Sox for the AL East lead and are making their final championship push. Nelson Cruz is a noted lefty-basher and slots in perfectly for a team that is more powerful against right-handed pitchers (.175 ISO) than against southpaws (.153 ISO). Here’s the improvement that Tampa will be getting in the DH slot:
The Rays have gotten a .694 OPS out of the DH spot in their batting order this season, which ranks 12th among American League teams
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 22, 2021
Nelson Cruz has a .907 OPS, which ranks 17th among MLB players in 2021
The return for Minnesota looks nice at first glance—here are the prospect particulars:
Joe Ryan is the No. 10 Rays prospect, according to @MLBPipeline, and Drew Strotman is their No. 17 prospect. Both are Triple-A starting pitchers. #MNTwins
— danhayesmlb (@DanHayesMLB) July 22, 2021
What say you, fantasy baseball degenerates? Is this a trade that could (eventually) work out for both sides? Or did the Twins get hosed?
My lean? Cruz is one of the premier power bats in the league...advantage, Tampa Bay.