Tampa Bay Rays News and Links: Souza Traded, actual tank confirmed?

Well, the Rays continue to shock the baseball world. This time, a three way deal sends Steven Souza Jr. to Arizona.

The third team is the Yankees (gross), and they are getting 2B/OF Brandon Drury from the Diamondbacks (and nothing from the Rays).

Souza had just arrived to camp, got a celebratory tweet, spoke to Neil, and BAM gone:

To say we saw this coming would be a big lie.

The full deal looks like this:

Rays ACQUIRE: 2B Nick Solak (from NYY), LHP Anthony Banda (from AZ), two PTBNL (from AZ)

Diamondbacks ACQUIRE: OF Steven Souza (from TB), RHP Taylor Widener (from NYY)

The New York Team ACQUIRE: INF Brandon Drury (from AZ)

• Marc Topkin’s report on the trade. Topkin is also reporting that both Banda and Solak will join training camp with the Rays, with Solak being inserted into the battle for 2B. Topkin also reports that his “sense” is that Rays are not trading Kevin Kiermaier or Chris Archer at this time.
• Neil Solondz’ breakdown of the Souza deal.
• And Steve Kinsella’s breakdown of the Souza trade.
• Fangraphs Eric Longenhagen has a rundown of the prospects involved in the deal, with Banda getting a 50 FV and Solak a 45 FV (just below MLB Pipeline’s 50 FV)
• Speaking of prospects, DRaysBay’s Scott Grauer wanted everybody a chance to read up and digest these new prospects and where they should slot into the DRB Community Prospect Poll, so the Poll has been delayed a day.
• Lots of great content from Topkin and Solondz on Twitter in media interview with Erik Neander, including how the Souza trade was not about money, and how the Rays looking to add next.
• Jeff Sullivan wrote a really great, reasonable piece on the Saturday moves, and how they were odd but not exactly ones that suggest a “tank”. Of course, this was published a couple hours before the Souza move, but it’s still worth a read to see actual, level headed analysis.
• Also at Fangraphs, Travis Sawchik looks at what Arizona is up to and notes the Rays now have $69 million in salary commitments for the coming season.
• Matt Duffy gave an interview to WDAE.
• Daniel Robertson is a heck of a utility player. Now only can he play all over the infield, but he also offers counseling to Rays fans in a time of need:

• Steven Souza also leaves a message for Rays fans:

• At least Rays fans can take solace in the fact that the Rays ‘say’ they’re done trading core pieces from the team

• Finally, I wanted to leave this beautiful shot of Steven Souza from camp yesterday. As baseball moves go, I can accept value, I can understand choices, but it’s tough to see some of these guys go. Souza was a goofy, fun, and extremely likeable player who was really good at baseball. I’m going to miss getting to see this guy play for the Rays.