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In case you missed it, the Rays dealt Emilio Pagán to the Padres for Manuel Margot and prospect Logan Driscoll.
#Rays GM Erik Neander on OF Manuel Margot: "He's still only 25 years old. Similar age to Willy Adames, Austin Meadows, Brandon Lowe. We think there's still some upside in the bat. Really want to be at a strength with our position group entering the season."
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) February 9, 2020
#Rays Erik Neander on having six OFs (Arozarena, Kiermaier, Margot, Meadows, Renfroe, Tsutsugo) on the 40-man heading into spring training: "It will require egos to be checked and a team-first mentality. But our guys have that. Feel really good about where we stand right now."
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) February 9, 2020
Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times says this is a win-now move.
Per MLB Trade Rumors, Tyler Glasnow is planning to ditch his changeup for a splitter.
Juan Toribio breaks down who will grab the final spots on the 26 man roster.
The Rays talked up the Montreal plan at Fanfest. Fans weren’t buying it.
In Banghazii news, Marc Topkin reports from Fanfest on Charlie Morton: “I regret not doing more to stop it.” Josh Tolentino at The Athletic also reports from Morton.
Tom Boswell at the Washington Post says that baseball is in the middle of an integrity crisis and the Astros are only a symptom.
David Laurila at Fangraphs writes about MiLB contraction.
President Trump calls on MLB to put Pete Rose in the Hall, because of course he does.
And finally our long national nightmare is over.
BREAKING: The trade that will send Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers has been agreed upon, sources tell ESPN. Outfielder Alex Verdugo and shortstop Jeter Downs are among those who will go to the Boston Red Sox.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 9, 2020
Catching prospect Connor Wong is headed to the Boston Red Sox alongside outfielder Alex Verdugo and shortstop Jeter Downs in the trade that will send outfielder Mookie Betts, starter David Price and cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers, sources tell ESPN. Players have been notified.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 9, 2020
The big winner of this ordeal is Brusdar Graterol, who ends up going to the LA instead of the Boston.
Deals coming together. #Dodgers in agreement with #MNTwins, pending medical review - Maeda and cash would go to MIN for Graterol and another prospect. Other elements perhaps. Meanwhile, per @JeffPassan, LAD and #RedSox in agreement on Betts and Price for Verdugo-Jeter Downs-plus.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 9, 2020
The trade that will send right-hander Kenta Maeda and cash to the Minnesota Twins for right-hander Brusdar Graterol and the 67th pick in the draft -- which has around a $1 million slot value -- has been agreed upon, source confirms to ESPN. @Ken_Rosenthal was first with the deal.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 9, 2020
Meanwhile, the Dodgers deal with the Angels appears to be dead.
Not entirely clear why #Dodgers-#Angels trade will not happen. Evidently hinged on three-team trade going down in original form. One source: LAD chose different path after after #RedSox-#MNTwins could not agree on Graterol. Another: LAA’s Moreno grew impatient and pulled deal.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 10, 2020