Rays trade RHP Aaron Slegers to Angels

The Rays have traded RHP Aaron Slegers, known for his length both as a role player in the bullpen and in height, to the Angels for a PTBNL/cash return.

Slegers should be remembered fondly for his role in the American League Championship Series when he saved the Rays A-bullpen from getting burned during two close losses to the Astros. You can revisit that memorable effort from the ALCS here.

Sometimes these deals are made with a strong PTBNL in mind to anchor a deal, like when the Rays returned SS Pedro Martinez from the Cubs for DH Jose Martinez last offseason to clear roster space for Randy Arozarena on the active roster, and sometimes it’s simply for the roster space and returns nominal cash amounts. That was how Slegers was acquired by the Rays from the Pirates back in 2019.

If I had to guess, I wouldn’t expect a surprise return like Martinez, but regardless of the return, this move is more about the roster space, both in clearing room on the 40-man for another player to be added — like RHP Chris Archer, who has yet to officially sign — and on the projected active roster, as RHP Trevor Richards is out of options and likely on his way to play a length role on the 2021 Rays.

Thanks for the contributions in 2020 Aaron, they were slegendary.