The Tampa Bay Rays upgraded their lineup on Thursday by making a trade with the New York Mets to bring in first baseman Lucas Duda. The team announced on their Twitter site that Duda will be a Ray and Tampa Bay gave up minor league pitcher Drew Smith to obtain him. This is the second acquisition by the team before the upcoming MLB trade deadline. The team made a deal with the Chicago White Sox to get pitcher Dan Jennings. The White Sox promoted two players to complete their roster.
The Rays are 53-49 and are currently holding down the second wild card spot.
However, they are facing opposition by the Twins, Royals, and Mariners. The Mariners made a move to make their team better by acquiring David Phelps. The Royals have been linked to Lance Lynn, but nothing has been done, while the Twins might be sellers. The Rays are ahead of the game as they look to make the postseason.
Duda brings more power to the lineup
Duda spent the first seven and a half seasons with the Mets. Duda is a career .246 hitter, and broke out into the scene in 2014 with his 30 home run season and 92 runs batted in. Duda is hitting .246 this season with 17 Home Runs and 37 runs batted in. He is 31 years old and is set to be a free agent at the end of this season.
Duda will add a power hitting left handed bat to the Rays lineup, likely playing as the team's designated hitter.
All Star Corey Dickerson can play in left field while Logan Morrison holds down first base. With Duda on the team, the Rays have five players in their lineup with at least 15 home runs are more. He joins Morrison (26), Steven Souza Jr. (21), Dickerson (18), and Evan Longoria (15).
Duda is the replacement for Colby Rasmus. Rasmus left baseball recently and has been placed on the restricted list.
He is likely not coming back this season, if at all in his career. With Rasmus gone, that allows the move for Dickerson in the outfield to open up the DH spot for Duda.
Jennings adds bullpen support
The White Sox made their fourth trade in 15 days by dealing Jennings. The White Sox received Casey Gillaspie, who was ranked the 10th best prospect in the Rays farm system.
Jennings is 3-1 with a 3.45 earned run average. He also has 38 strikeouts and seven holds on the year. Jennings will help Tommy Hunter set up Alex Colume in the seventh or eighth inning.
Gillaspie was once ranked the 74th best prospect according to Baseball America. He adds another prospect to their stocked farm system. The White Sox now have nine players that are or were ranked in the top 100 prospects.
