DRaysBay - Wil Myers traded to PadresA Tampa Bay Rays Blog: Ball on a Budgethttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48753/drb-logo-fv.png2014-12-19T14:06:43-05:00http://www.draysbay.com/rss/stream/71793002014-12-19T14:06:43-05:002014-12-19T14:06:43-05:00Wil Myers thanks the Rays, fans on twitter<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/wilmyers/status/546018444811206657">Wil Myers thanks the Rays, fans on&nbsp;twitter</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>He added: "I couldn't be more excited to join the @Padres. Seeing these moves fires me up and I am ready to help this club win!"</p></p></div>
https://www.draysbay.com/2014/12/19/7423157/wil-myers-thanks-the-rays-fans-on-twitterDaniel Russell2014-12-18T10:00:05-05:002014-12-18T10:00:05-05:00How am I supposed to feel about the Myers trade?
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<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The important question.</p> <p>When Andrew Friedman left the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rays</a> front office, he left alone. The majority of the brain trust in the Rays front office now is the same group as it was last year when the Rays traded <span>David Price</span>. And not much has changed since the Rays traded <span>Delmon Young</span> and <span>Scott Kazmir</span> and <span>James Shields</span>.</p>
<p>When Kazmir and Young were about to fall off the face of the planet, they were gone, bringing back a haul of dependable pieces.</p>
<p>When Matt Garza and James Shields were at peak value, they were gone too, bringing back solid pieces to keep the Rays afloat. (Remove a few devastating injuries, and that Garza trade looks even better).</p>
<p>When David Price was still a Ray, despite loads of offseason rumors, but the team team failed to compete for the playoffs, he was shipped out for David-Price-Lite in <span>Drew Smyly</span> (who <a target="_blank" href="http://www.draysbay.com/2014/12/13/7378255/al-east-rotations">projects to be the second best starter</a> in a good rotation), Ben-Zobrist-Lite in <span>Nick Franklin</span>, and the Rays top prospect in Willy Adames.</p>
<p>GM Matt Silverman is new to the title of "head of baseball operations" but not to the game. He's a business man, but from what I understand, he was just as much a part of the Price trade as anyone else in that front office.</p>
<p>If Ben Zobrist is kept throughout the off-season and this team fails to contend, he'll hopefully bring back a piece of similar value to <span>Andrew Heaney</span> (as we saw in <a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2014/12/11/7375965/ben-zobrist-trade-value-rays" target="_blank">the Howie Kendrick trade</a>). If the Rays can best that today, though, he might be gone sooner, particularly without another team-friendly contract extension.</p>
<p>Do I trust this front office?</p>
<p>There are three pillars to the Rays that will get prioritized forever and always:</p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">Great Pitching - Great Defense - Great Contract</h4>
<p>Of those three pillars, <span>Wil Myers</span> aligned with one: his rookie contract will keep him cost controlled until 2017 when salary arbitration kicked in, and then he would get expensive if he satisfied expectations on the field.</p>
<p>But he hadn't, not yet.</p>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</i></div>
<p>Wil Myers was awarded Rookie of the Year in 2013, but his raw power has yet to translate into game power, and his outfield defense was admittedly uninspiring.</p>
<p>As a former catcher, Myers has a cannon for an arm that we never saw displayed. He broke his wrist last season on an <a target="_blank" href="https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44362040/usa-today-7933809.0.jpg">outfield collision</a> that shouldn't have happened. In the playoffs the year before, the turning point in the ALDS was a<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1aog5ywXFw"> routine flyball</a> he gave up on.</p>
<p>It's easy to complain, but that sells short his pedigree. Myers was acquired as a top-five prospect in baseball. Sure his sliding on the basepaths has been adventurous, but he's athletic enough to play the outfield (even center, in the minors), and capable of above average offensive production. He boasted a 131 wRC+ in half a season in 2013.</p>
<p>To date, Myers has already demonstrated an ability to handle play in the majors, gaffes aside. The prospects the Rays are acquiring are far less of a guarantee.</p>
<p>All of that is context. How am I supposed to feel about the Wil Myers trade?</p>
<p> </p>
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<p>As a fan, this trade is brutal. I asked Hatfield how he felt shortly after news broke. His response: "I'm dead inside right now." Other friends have told me they're moving to San Diego. It's easy to be frustrated.</p>
<p>One element of this trade is a question: "Is no one safe?" I've only purchased one Rays jersey in my life -- that of <span>Evan Longoria</span> after his second contract extension. How many fans have a Wil Myers jersey hanging in their closet right now? A bobble head on the shelf? Another face of the franchise is gone.</p>
<p>On a personal level, most of us hate it, and that's perfectly acceptable.</p>
<p>Myers and his goofy grin and his terrible hair worked their way into our hearts the moment he took the field. In batting practice he had the strength of an ox, he old-schools it with no batting gloves, and generally speaking he puts on a show. At the young age of 24, he's got plenty of time to develop into who you thought he'd be.</p>
<p>Unless you were pessimistic on Myers. If so, he was already who you thought he'd be.</p>
<p>Then there are the rumors. "He wasn't a team player under Maddon, not a fan of themed trips or buzzing hair for charity. He wasn't keen on the Rays dietary program. He wasn't a student of the game." None of those are fit to print. They're more suited for radio where words simply disappear into the ether. I don't know if they're true, but the perception was out there.</p>
<p>At the end of the day, it looks like the Rays lost confidence in Myers. How you feel about this trade might be dependent on whether you did too.</p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2014/12/18/7414599/how-am-i-supposed-to-feel-about-the-wil-myers-tradeDaniel Russell2014-12-18T09:15:25-05:002014-12-18T09:15:25-05:00The Rays return in the Wil Myers trade
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<figcaption>Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>According to multiple reports the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rays</a> have traded 2013 Rookie of the Year <span>Wil Myers</span>, along with primary catcher Ryan Hanigan, expensively signed LHP <span>Jose Castillo</span>, and under-sized 22-year old RHP Gerardo Reyes for four prospects and <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Padres</a> catcher <span>Rene Rivera</span>.</p>
<p>As far as what's been dealt, there's significant worry here that the Rays are selling low.</p>
<p>When he was acquired, Myers was a top-five prospect in the game. Most recently, his 2014 season was a wash, with a broken wrist on a fielding blunder preventing him from fixing his sophomore slump. Furthermore, Myers has raw power but has too many holes in his current swing to make it all work. These are adjustable issues, and It's more than likely great things are in store for him, but you might not know if looking at last season.</p>
<div class="read-more">
<b>Re-live the Power:</b> <a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2013/6/10/4415062/video-wil-myers-home-run" target="new">Wil Myers goes BOOM, Part 1</a> <a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2013/11/11/5080882/video-wil-myers-goes-boom-part-2" target="new">Part 2</a>
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<p>Ryan Hanigan might have an affordable contract, but he's also been injured in 2014 which limited his ability to shine. Then there's Jose Castillo, a top-ten prospect candidate according to Keith Law's rankings from last winter who the Rays invested heavily in to land, and Mexican RHP Gerardo Reyes. Both are still very young.</p>
<p>Did the Rays get enough for such valuable pieces? What exactly are the Rays getting?</p>
<h4><b>Rene Rivera - A Cheaper Hanigan</b></h4>
<p>Rene Rivera tallied 18.3 RAA (runs above average) with his glove last season, according to <a href="http://www.statcorner.com/CatcherReport.php" target="_blank">StatCorner</a>, above and beyond <span>Ryan Hanigan's</span> 2.2 and Curt Casali's 0.6. Baseball Prospectus also puts Rivera's glove in the top five, and in the grand scheme, their numbers show Rivera is roughly on par with Hanigan defensively. On offense, however, things get a little murky.</p>
<p>Rivera's glove has always been his strength, but there's worry he's a flash in the pan as his bat only just found life ten years after his debut with Seattle. Both Rivera and Hanigan project to ~86 wRC+ next season, but neither is a guarantee.</p>
<p>Now age 32, Rivera still has three more seasons of team control thanks to his lack of playing time. Prior to last season he'd seen more than 100 plate appearances at the major league level in only twice (2006, 2011). Most importantly, he's cheaper, still riding a rookie contract. Hanigan was due a minimum of $8 million over the next three years, and possibly more if his option was exercised.</p>
<p>For more on the catching aspect of this deal, Ian has a<a target="_blank" href="http://www.draysbay.com/2014/12/17/7412583/rays-trade-analysis-ryan-hanigan-rene-rivera-wil-myers-padres-nationals"> full analysis</a>.</p>
<h4><b>Steven Souza Jr. - Wil Myers, Take 2</b></h4>
<p>Steven Souza was the International League MVP last season -- the same minor league division as the Durham Bulls -- and has posted remarkably consistent and impressive numbers on his way through the minors. He topped out at a .448 wOBA and 180 wRC+ in 96 games at Triple-A, including 18 homeruns and 26 stolen bases. All four were career bests. Souza also saw two separate big league promotions that gave him 26 games of experience at the beginning and end of last season.</p>
<p>Souza is an impressive player, Baseball America even called him a "physical specimen, with multiple loud tools" prior to the season. Baseball Prospectus notes his lower half has lots of power to tap into and both sites are high on his arm strength. He's got the defense to play in either outfield corner with above average tracking speeds that translate well to the bases.</p>
<p>The only knocks may be his age and a tendency to over-think. He's an older prospect, approaching his age 26 season. He didn't knock any socks off with his major league debut last season, save a stellar defensive play we'll get to in a moment.</p>
<p>Can we trust Souza will continue to impress as he moves to a full time role at the major league level? He likes to swing, which leads to strikeouts, and his hands aren't necessarily dependable at the plate, leading to whiffs. It's likely those reasons are why his prospect status never had helium even when his statistics ballooned. Still, his bat can play, he's entering the prime of his aging curve, and his defense is not shabby.</p>
<p>Take a look at his most famous moment to date: a diving catch for the final out of Zimmermann's no hitter last season.</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bTl5gy3igsQ" frameborder="0" height="510" width="854"></iframe></p>
<p>The Rays must see much that they like, and if the <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-top-10-prospects-for-2015-by-projected-war/" target="_blank">Steamer projections are to be believed</a>, production on the field will make up for any lack of hype:</p>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 335pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="446">
<colgroup> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2267; width: 47pt;" width="62"> <col style="width: 48pt;" span="6" width="64"> </colgroup>
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<tr style="height: 12.75pt; cursor: default;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; width: 47pt;" height="17" width="62"><b>Player</b></td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" class="xl63" width="64"><b>PA</b></td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" class="xl63" width="64"><b>AVG</b></td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" class="xl63" width="64"><b>OBP</b></td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" class="xl63" width="64"><b>SLG</b></td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" class="xl63" width="64"><b>wRC+</b></td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" class="xl63" width="64"><b>WAR</b></td>
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<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Souza</td>
<td class="xl63">550</td>
<td class="xl63">.268</td>
<td class="xl63">.335</td>
<td class="xl63">.445</td>
<td class="xl63">118</td>
<td class="xl63">2.4</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Myers</td>
<td class="xl63">626</td>
<td class="xl63">.251</td>
<td class="xl63">.327</td>
<td class="xl63">.418</td>
<td class="xl63">115</td>
<td class="xl63">2.4</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Did I mention that comes with more power? Reading reports, I wouldn't be surprised if Souza continues his development with more thumping potential. I'll defer to <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/breaking-down-the-prospects-in-the-wil-myers-trade/" target="_blank">Kiley McDaniel </a>for Souza's swing:</p>
<blockquote style="margin: 0 0 0 40px; border: none; padding: 0px;">
<p>Scouts do allow for larger players taking longer to grow into their bodies and Souza is 6'4/225, but some hitters hit a ton everywhere in the minors then hit a few notches worse in the majors. The margin for error is very small and being that big with long arms doesn't make it easy to make contact in the big leagues.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>McDaniel goes on to call Souza a "swing and miss type", but notes, "that doesn't necessarily always show up in the stats." He notes scouts aren't thrilled with Souza, and then gives an offensive projection of Matt Joyce. I think the Rays are betting the over.</p>
<p>Souza's rookie status remains intact, so he will be under team control through 2020, an extra year than Myers.</p>
<h4>Travis Ott - Left Handed Depth?</h4>
<p>Yes, that's a question mark, and for good reason. There was hype for the rumored LHP added to the Rays haul, but I'm a bit skeptical at this point.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Travis Ott: Tall, skinny LHP, loose arm. Low 90s, CB & CH project to fringe avg. Making strides physically. 4/5 SP, very good 25th rd pick.</p>
— Jordan Gorosh (@jgorosh) <a href="https://twitter.com/jgorosh/status/545352921911533570">December 17, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
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<p>Ott signed for $10,000 and hasn't necessarily outpaced his slot with performance. He made 13 starts between short-season Low-A Auburn and Class-A Hagerstown last season with a 3.93 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 55 innings.</p>
<p>This is not a statistical gem as far as I can see on Fangraphs or any other site, but at a minimum this easy throwing lefty is projectable. Sometimes that's all you need as a southpaw.</p>
<p>Accordingly, Ott has the ceiling of a back end starter and the floor of a LOOGY, which isn't a bad thing. He's young, born in 1995, and <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" target="_blank" href="http://www.milb.com/images/643477/generic/180x270/643477.jpg">mean looking</a>.</p>
<p>Is this a Rays scouting gem, or a throw in? I'm leaning toward the latter.</p>
<h4>
<span>Burch Smith</span> - Right Handed Depth.</h4>
<p>Hard stop. Burch Smith is the opposite of Ott, having already broken into the majors in 2013 after rocketing through the Padres system. That season he was a top-ten prospect in their system, and one of many Padres with a killer name.</p>
<p>Come 2014, Smith would not make it six innings before he succumbed to injury in his right forearm, barely tossing more than a handful of frames the rest of the year. When a deal is hung up on physicals, Smith is a good example of why. He's said to be ready for Spring Training, but the staff surely wants to check him out. Either way, he may be worth the risk.</p>
<p>Like a lot of recent Rays acquisitions, Smith has a pitcher's body and a live arm. His stats have yet to be show stopping, but he has three above-average pitches, anchored by a fastball that touches above 95, followed by an ever improving change and slurve.</p>
<p>Smith will be serviceable in the majors, but there's some concern he doesn't get enough out of his pitches to survive multiple times through a line up, nor that his velocity can be maintained. Luckily, what he lacks in depth of movement he makes up for with deception.</p>
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<p>The GIF above comes courtesy of Baseball Prospectus, and you can see deception further on display in the full <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" target="_blank" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvimeo.com%2F64704352&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.draysbay.com%2F2014%2F12%2F18%2F7412551%2Frays-return-wil-myers-trade-rumors" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">vimeo</a>.</p>
<p>Also via BP, a fun projection: According to <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=23305">PECOTA</a>, Smith has an upside score of 52.1, which is a hair behind <span>Mookie Betts</span> and a notch ahead of <span>C.J. Edwards</span>. Take that as you will.</p>
<h4>Jake Bauers - A typical Rays 1B</h4>
<p>Bauers is 6-foot-1, possibly above 200lbs, and approaching his age-19 season. A seventh round draft choice out of high school in 2013, he's noted to have a good eye at the plate and mature approach, which is impressive given his young age.</p>
<p>His first year as a professional saw a 10.9% walk rate with a .364 wOBA and 128 wRC+ playing for Class-A Fort Wayne. The upper half of his body should still fill out with some power, but even if it doesn't he's got the bat-to-ball skills to move through any org, particularly while batting from the left side of the plate.</p>
<p>His defensive profile is limited to first base, which is not necessarily a bad thing. He comps well to <span>Daric Barton</span> who was dependable for the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Athletics</a>, if not a starter, but that analysis may simply be a product of both players graduating fron the same high school: Marina HS, in Huntington Beach.</p>
<p>Another comp just might be <span>James Loney</span>, but in either case, he still needs to grow into his own.</p>
<h4>Opportunity Cost</h4>
<p>The above is the Rays haul in the likely trade. What the Rays gave up is another matter.</p>
<p>This trade easily could have been limited to San Diego and Tampa Bay, and it seems that it nearly was. Instead the Rays flipped what looks to be 2014's 13th overall pick Trea Turner and solid pitching prospect Joe Ross for Souza and Ott.</p>
<p>On paper, that looks like giving away two first round picks for a fourth outfielder and change, but accepting San Diego's haul alone has a different opportunity cost: time.</p>
<p>Turner should be a very good short stop one day, but he's also very far away, and the Rays want to replace Myers with defense, speed, and possibly power <i>today</i>. Making a move for Souza delivers on that front, with 20/20 potential in long balls and swiped bags</p>
<p>. The Rays haven't had that since B.J. Upton. The Rays weren't getting that in Wil Myers. The Rays might have that now, with far better defense in the outfielder acquired.</p>
<p>The Rays saw their opportunity to stay competitive, and they took it.</p>
<p>You Souza or lose.</p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2014/12/18/7412551/rays-return-wil-myers-trade-rumorsDaniel Russell2014-12-17T20:28:58-05:002014-12-17T20:28:58-05:00Hanigan and Rivera: catchers in the Myers trade
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<figcaption>Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Who is Rivera and why did we trade for him?</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> have reportedly <a target="_blank" href="http://www.draysbay.com/2014/12/17/7407989/rays-wil-myers-trade-rumors">completed a blockbuster trade</a>, sending former Rookie of the Year <span>Wil Myers</span> to San Diego, along with a ton of other moving parts. I'd like to focus on one small slice of the deal -- the Rays just swapped their starting catcher, <span>Ryan Hanigan</span>, for fellow catcher <span>Rene Rivera</span>.</p>
<p>Your first thought, upon hearing the possibility of the Rivera-Hanigan do-si-do, was likely, "Who?"</p>
<p>Danny <a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2014/11/26/7293685/tampa-bay-rays-san-diego-padres-trade-rumor-rene-rivera-matt-joyce-yasmani-grandal" target="_blank">profiled Rivera as a Rays target</a> earlier this winter, but if you looked him up you found that Rivera is a 31 year old journeyman with 673 major-league plate appearances.</p>
<p>The Rays will be his eighth team. This leads to an obvious follow up question of "Why?"</p>
<p>The initial rationalizations I came up with were not satisfactory when I went through the same thought process, so I followed-up with something that's not really a question:</p>
<blockquote style="margin: 0 0 0 40px; border: none; padding: 0px;">
<p>"Danny, I will eat my hat if the Rays trade Ryan Hanigan for Rene Rivera."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>That wasn't a metaphor, either. It was exactly what I sent to Danny when he first floated the trade rumor my way, and I was referring to a very literal and specific hat that I'm rather fond of.</p>
<p>So like most of you, I immediately disliked this aspect of the trade. I am, however, about to defend it.</p>
<h4>Offense</h4>
<p>Ryan Hanigan has been a pretty good offensive player -- for a catcher -- over the course of his career. He's walked more than he's struck out (11.9% to 10.7%), and he owns a career on base percentage over .350. He knows the zone and he sticks to it; he fights off pitches; he battles. He's enjoyable to watch.</p>
<p>Rene Rivera has had a much less successful offensive career at the plate. He's had trouble finding a spot in the major leagues, so these "career" numbers cover only 673 plate appearances (about one full season for an every-day starter or two for a standard catcher), but he's walked 6.1% of the time while striking out in 24.5% of those plate appearances. His career on base percentage is .279. That's ugly.</p>
<p>But here's the thing. There's more to baseball than taking a walk. Ryan Hanigan has almost no power, and he's not about to develop some. His great plate discipline is undercut by a paltry .085 career isolated power. Rivera is no <span>Giancarlo Stanton</span>, but he's better than Hanigan, with a .130 career ISO. That means that the two catchers are closer offensively than the perception around them would suggest.</p>
<p>Moreover, Ryan Hanigan will be 34 next year, and is coming off multiple seasons impacted by injuries. Rene Rivera will be "only" 31, and just had his best offensive showing, with a 114 wRC+ in 329 plate appearances for San Diego. The Steamer projection system (which is better at understanding this data than humans who couldn't pick Rivera out of a lineup, like me) thinks they'll produce very similarly next year in terms of offensive value, even if they arrive there in different ways.</p>
<p>Here are those 2015 projections:</p>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 356pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="474">
<colgroup> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 3291; width: 68pt;" width="90"> <col style="width: 48pt;" span="6" width="64"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt; width: 68pt;" height="20" width="90"></td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 48pt;" width="64"><b>BB%</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 48pt;" width="64"><b>K%</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 48pt;" width="64"><b>AVG</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 48pt;" width="64"><b>OBP</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 48pt;" width="64"><b>SLG</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 48pt;" width="64"><b>wOBA</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;" height="20">Ryan Hanigan</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63" align="right">10.5%</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63" align="right">13.6%</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" align="right">0.230</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" align="right">0.319</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" align="right">0.318</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" align="right">0.286</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;" height="20">Rene Rivera</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63" align="right">6.8%</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63" align="right">21.2%</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" align="right">0.233</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" align="right">0.290</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" align="right">0.361</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" align="right">0.289</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h4>Pitch Framing (and other, less-important defense)</h4>
<p>Mike Fast first <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=15093">broke it into the public domain</a>. With Fast now in the Astro's front office, Ben Lindberg has <a target="_blank" href="http://grantland.com/features/studying-art-pitch-framing-catchers-such-francisco-cervelli-chris-stewart-jose-molina-others/">picked up the pitch framing flag</a> beautifully over at Grantland. We've <a target="_blank" href="http://www.draysbay.com/2014/1/13/5296372/jose-molina-and-ryan-hanigan-pitch-framing-wizards" style="background-color: #ffffff;">talked</a> about it <a target="_blank" href="http://www.draysbay.com/2012/9/26/3411970/rays-2012-mvp-ben-zobrist-or-jose-molina" style="background-color: #ffffff;">a lot</a> here, and I think that while most reasonable people now accept that pitch framing is both a real and measurable skill, there's a few holdouts on this site who would like it to go away.</p>
<p>It's not about to.</p>
<p>One of the reasons for trading for and then signing Ryan Hanigan to an extension last season was that, like <span>Jose Molina</span>, <a target="_blank" href="http://grantland.com/the-triangle/qa-ryan-hanigan-on-the-art-of-pitch-framing/">he's also good at pitch framing</a>, but Rene Rivera is better (probably, SSS caveats, etc.). Pitch Framing data is now available, using two different calculation methods, both on StatCorner and on Baseball Prospectus.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="likebox-float-right"><iframe allowtransparency="true" style="border:none; overflow:hidden;" scrolling="no" src="//www.facebook.com/plugins/likebox.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fdraysbay&width=560&height=210&colorscheme=light&show_faces=true&show_border=false&stream=false&header=false" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>
<p>By the Baseball Prospectus numbers, Molina has been worth 31.6 framing runs per 7000 chances (roughly what a full season of playing time would look like) over the course of his career, while Hanigan has been worth 16.3 runs per 7000, and Rivera 18.0 runs per 7000.</p>
<p>Recently, though, Hanigan's framing numbers have declined, perhaps due to injury or age, while Rivera has improved on a mediocre 2011, his only other year in the books. Last season specifically, Hanigan produced at a rate of 12.7 runs per 7000, while Rivera bought his pitchers 22.1 runs per 7000. Rivera was simply better.</p>
<p>Jumping over to the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.statcorner.com/CatcherReport.php">StatCorner numbers</a>, Hanigan was worth only an extra 0.23 calls per game through his framing in 2014, while Rivera was worth an extra 1.75 calls per game -- fourth best in baseball behind <span>Hank Conger</span>, Molina, and <span>Christian Vazquez</span>.</p>
<p>Of course, there's more to catching than pitch framing.</p>
<p>Baseball Prospectus calculates contributions from pitch blocking as well, also using PITCHf/x data. Molina was a terrible blocker and Hanigan was a great one. Rivera is somehwere in the middle.</p>
<p>Consider the scale of the skill, though. Hanigan, a master pitch blocker, saved his teams a bit under three runs a season. Molina, a terror, lost six. That makes blocking a more visible but less important skill than framing.</p>
<p>As for controlling the running game, both Rivera and Hanigan have gunned down 38% of the runners who have attempted to steal on them.</p>
<h4>Money</h4>
<p>So if Hanigan and Rivera have similar offensive projections, and are similarly strong defensive catchers, why would the Rays prefer one over the other? There's Hanigan's worrisome injury history, for one, but this is also a case where the money really does matter.</p>
<p>The Rays signed Hanigan to an extension that potentially locks him up through 2017. Rivera will also be under Rays control for the next three years, as his inability to stick in the majors means that although in his 30s, he's just now reaching arbitration (where <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/11/projected-arbitration-salaries-for-2015.html">Matt Swartz projects him to make $1.3 million</a>).</p>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 200pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="266">
<colgroup> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 3291; width: 68pt;" width="90"> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 3474; width: 71pt;" width="95"> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2962; width: 61pt;" width="81"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt; width: 68pt;" height="20" width="90"></td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 71pt;" width="95"><b>Ryan Hanigan</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 61pt;" width="81"><b>Rene Rivera</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;" align="right" height="20">2015</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65">$3.5M</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65">$1.3M</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;" align="right" height="20">2016</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65">$3.7M</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65">$1.95M*</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;" align="right" height="20">2017</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">$3.75M/$0.8M^</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">$2.6M*</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><i>^Team option/Buyout</i></p>
<p><i>*I've calculated the second and third arbitration year assuming a 40/60/80 model, which may or may not be accurate. Also, those years are not guaranteed.</i></p>
<p>I know we'd all like an owner who's willing to shell out and build the best team money can buy, but that's not how this works, even in the fantasyland of baseball. And in the real world, paying less for the same amount of something is smart. It's not just about $tu's wallet. Paying less for one commodity means that the Rays have more room in their budget (whatever that might be) to buy wins elsewhere on the field.</p>
<h4>Conclusion</h4>
<p>I'm not evaluating the entire Wil Myers trade yet. It's very big and we'll have more to say about all of the pieces involved. You don't come to DRaysBay just for the hot takes, though, so take this conclusion for what it is: an assessment of what Matt Silverman just did for the Rays catcher position over the next couple years.</p>
<p>At the top of their game, Rene Rivera has a lower 90th percentile projection than Ryan Hanigan, but we're unlikely to get that best-case scenario from either of them. Their mean projection on offense is similar, though, and Rivera is younger and has a less-troubling injury history.</p>
<p>On defense, they're comparable over their careers, and if you consider recent seasons as being more predictive of current ability, there's a case to be made that Rivera is better.</p>
<p>Finally, the contract matters. Rivera costs less, and if he doesn't pan out (or gets injured), the Rays aren't on the hook for anything in 2016.</p>
<p>Ryan Hanigan has been a good baseball player, and it sounds like <a href="http://www.redreporter.com/2013/12/4/5173192/on-ryan-hanigan-and-learning-about-skills-i-do-not-possess" target="_blank">he's a really nice guy</a>, too. He's great to watch behind the plate. When Matt Moore spikes a curve into the dirt, there's no one in this league I'd rather have back there than Hanny. He also works with pitching staffs better than most.</p>
<p>All of that is true, but it doesn't change the fact that Rene Rivera is trending upward, and has a decent chance of outproducing Hanigan over the next couple years while making less money and carrying less risk.</p>
<p>That makes the catcher section of the Wil Myers trade at least a wash, with plenty of pathways for the Rays to come out ahead in 2015 and beyond.</p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2014/12/17/7412583/rays-trade-analysis-ryan-hanigan-rene-rivera-wil-myers-padres-nationalsIan Malinowski2014-12-17T17:27:25-05:002014-12-17T17:27:25-05:00Rays trade Wil Myers, swap catchers
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/492-QWsIi8BIb7knXdcAEDZTO18=/0x0:4896x3264/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44356070/usa-today-7887995.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Quite unexpectedly, the Rays have indeed traded Wil Myers, according to multiple reports. The 2013 Rookie of the Year was the centerpiece of the James Shields / Wade Davis trade that propelled Kansas City to the World Series last season.</p>
<p>Now Myers is on the move again, and according to multiple reporters, this is nearly a done deal.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Trade of Myers to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padres?src=hash">#Padres</a> is near finish line. Not complete, but just about done. It will be all players, no draft items changing hands</p>
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) <a href="https://twitter.com/Joelsherman1/status/545347331059875840">December 17, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Again…deal has been agreed to by all parties….only pending physicals</p>
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowden_ESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimBowden_ESPN/status/545347840965222400">December 17, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<p>As the deal gets finalized, here's where it appears all the players are heading, courtesy of <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/545339355880230913" target="_blank">Ken Rosenthal</a>'s confirmation (not my own!):</p>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 378pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="504">
<colgroup> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 6144; width: 126pt;" span="3" width="168"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td class="xl66" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt; width: 126pt;" height="20" width="168"><b>Rays Receive</b></td>
<td class="xl66" style="text-align: center; width: 126pt;" width="168"><b>Padres Receive</b></td>
<td class="xl66" style="text-align: center; width: 126pt;" width="168"><b>Nationals Receive</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt; width: 126pt;" height="20" width="168">OF Steven Souza (WAS)</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center; width: 126pt;" width="168">OF Wil Myers (TB)</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center; width: 126pt;" width="168">SS Trea Turner (SD)</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt; width: 126pt;" height="20" width="168">C Rene Rivera (SD)</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center; width: 126pt;" width="168">C Ryan Hanigan (TB)</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center; width: 126pt;" width="168">RHP Joe Ross (SD)</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt; width: 126pt;" height="20" width="168">LHP Travis Ott (WAS)</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center; width: 126pt;" width="168">LHP Jose Castillo (TB)</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center; width: 126pt;" width="168"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt; width: 126pt;" height="20" width="168">RHP Burch Smith (SD)</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center; width: 126pt;" width="168">RHP Gerardo Reyes (TB)</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center; width: 126pt;" width="168"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt; width: 126pt;" height="20" width="168">1B Jake Bauers (SD)</td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 126pt;" width="168"></td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 126pt;" width="168"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>There's some immediate major league impact for the Rays, and we can start there, but that's probably not where your focus should be in terms of evaluation.</p>
<p>Several very young names are on the move, and the rumors that have trickled out thus far indicate not everything is as it appears to be.</p>
<p>It reminds me of the David Price trade. The Rays targeted a very young player that looks like a future All-Star in Willy Adames, but got skewered for simply trading for Nick Franklin, Drew Smyly, and a PTBNL. Fast forward to the end of the season, and <a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2014/12/13/7378255/al-east-rotations" target="_blank">Smyly projects to be the second best arm in the Rays rotation</a>, and Adames tops all the Rays prospect lists.</p>
<p>With that lesson learned, lean in and then tell me what you see.</p>
<p>Here are my thoughts:</p>
<div>
<p>The Rays are essentially exchanging two major MLB pieces, turning Wil Myers into Steven Souza and Ryan Hanigan into Rene Rivera. This saves money, and at first glance, gives approximate value on paper.</p>
<p>From there, minor league players round out the body of this trade, with Tampa Bay also giving up promising international pitching prospect Jose Castillo -- a kid that Keith Law gave honorable mention in last year's top-ten prospects piece -- and RHP Gerardo Reyes, a 22-year old prospect out of Mexico with limited experience.</p>
<p>This is expensive for the Rays.</p>
<p>The Padres are paying their fair share, however, dealing their first round draft pick from 2014 as a PTBNL in Trea Turner. He batted a 180 wRC+ last season in A-ball; that's sexy. They're also giving the Rays two decent prospects, and Washington one as well. All three have major-league trajectories.</p>
<p>The Hanigan/Rivera swap is an exchange of risk: On the one side, there's the risk of Rivera not repeating his big 2014, and on the other there's the often-injured but intelligent, defensively talented, and likeable catcher in Hanigan. Still, dealing Turner is a brutal blow.</p>
<p>This is expensive for the Padres.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Washington is dealing from a position of depth, sending a promising outfield prospect and a low-level arm out the door for two very shiny pieces. There's even some debate on how big a deal trading Souza will be, with projections saying he's among the top hitting prospects in the game, and the eye-test saying there's much to be skeptical of. Either way he's blocked by Harper, Werth, and Span.</p>
<p>This looks like an immediate win for the Nationals.</p>
<p>Lots of analysis to follow.</p>
</div>
https://www.draysbay.com/2014/12/17/7407989/rays-wil-myers-trade-rumorsDaniel Russell2014-12-17T11:52:39-05:002014-12-17T11:52:39-05:00Wil Myers trade "nearing the finish line"
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9SxyihTSf4feCiA2VWXGDDnB_N8=/91x0:4493x2935/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44355246/454475012.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brian Blanco/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>According to multiple reports, the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rays</a> are <a href="https://twitter.com/jcrasnick/status/545241199612022786" target="_blank">nearing the finish line</a> for a <span>Wil Myers</span> trade that would send the former Rookie of the Year to the <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Padres</a>, bringing back two key pieces.</p>
<p>The first piece has been rumored to be top defensive catching prospect <span>Austin Hedges</span>, a possible top-twenty baseball talent whose bat has disappeared since his promotion to Double-A in 2013.</p>
<p>Hedges is currently the No. 22 prospect on <a style="font-size: 12px;" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2014/#list=prospects" target="_blank">MLB.com's Top-100</a>, where his hit and power tools continue to grade at 50.</p>
<p>Three other names listed thus far are Class-A 1B Jake Bauers, Double-A RHP Joe Ross, and RHRP Burch Smith. Jim Bowden has been the Padres source on all names, and expects the deal to include five players from San Diego.</p>
<p><a style="font-size: 12px;" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2014/#list=prospects" target="_blank"></a><span>Some number of the players received are then expected to be flipped to the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nationals</a> for an intriguing outfielder, right-hander Steven Souza. </span></p>
<p>After boasting a .421 wOBA and 161 wRC+ in 2013 with the Nationals' Double-A squad, Souza graduated to Triple-A and bested those numbers, with a .448 wOBA and 180 wRC+ over 96 games, including career bests in homeruns (18) and stolen bases (26).</p>
<p>Before the season was over, Souza was then promoted to the major league team for chances at the beginning and end of season, where he accumulated a meager 74 wRC+ across 26 games in April, May, August, and September.</p>
<p>Over on Fangraphs, Carson Cistulli recently projected Souza to the <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-top-10-prospects-for-2015-by-projected-war/" target="_blank">fourth most WAR </a>among prospects up to age 26 for 2015. Souza placed fourth, just ahead of <span>Joey Gallo</span> thanks to a favorable bat, and just behind <span>Jorge Soler</span>.</p>
<p><b>UPDATE - 12:15 PM</b></p>
<p>Bowden has <a href="https://twitter.com/JimBowden_ESPN/status/545261792117534722" target="_blank">removed Hedges</a> from the anticipated trade, which may make the deal a bit more difficult to swallow if a top-flight pitcher like Max Frier or Matthew Wisler.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Marc Topkin mentions a <a href="https://twitter.com/TBTimes_Rays/status/545262592491798528" target="_blank">fourth team</a> may be entering the fray.</p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2014/12/17/7408641/wil-myers-trade-rumors-rays-padres-nationalsDaniel Russell2014-12-16T21:59:36-05:002014-12-16T21:59:36-05:00What do we know about the rumored Wil Myers trade?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nlga2xVnhiyJJwfHbHg7ZDt8K3g=/0x0:4896x3264/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44352290/488702197.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brian Blanco/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Different journalists have been weighing in on what might be going on in the pending Wil Myers trade, which (again) is shocking. Myers is a former rookie of the year with raw power and some decent athleticism and a cannon of an arm (thanks to his time as catcher) that we have yet to see displayed. He broke his wrist last season, unable to bounce back properly from the sophomore slump, and has some holes in his swing that can presumably be cleared up with solid coaching.</p>
<p>This is also Wil Myers, the guy who eats too much fast food, who admitted to not trying very hard, who refused to cut his hair with the rest of the team and staff for charity, who get's as great a wrap as BJ Upton did in Tampa Bay with less defense.</p>
<p>The Rays rarely if ever "sell low" and Myers's stock is not high, but the pedigree is there. A former top five prospect in all of baseball, the centerpiece of the Shields/Davis trade with Kansas City. He's meant to be a mainstay on a rookie contract for years to come.</p>
<p>So if he's off to the Padres, what's going on?</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Sense among those in the know is that while Padres-Rays deal involving Wil Myers is straight-up, players dealt could be on the move again.</p>
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/545045208522436610">December 17, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Could be a similar situation to what happened with Andrew Heaney: traded to one team, onto another. GMs these days always five steps ahead.</p>
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/545045474869141506">December 17, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<p>Straight up? Is this a one-for-one trade with San Diego? What the hell is going on?</p>
<p>Jim Bowden is a guy I look to for contract projections, but he has some rumors to contribute, citing defensive catching prospect Austin Hedges as a main piece.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Hearing that trade proposals between TB & SD have included Austin Hedges going to TB as part of Will Myers package…no deal yet</p>
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowden_ESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimBowden_ESPN/status/545003230002810881">December 16, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<p>If we're talking names, I would love to see lefty Max Fried's name involved, but a few others are just as tantalizing, including the close-to-the-majors Wisler</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Sources: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rays?src=hash">#Rays</a> have been inquiring about <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padres?src=hash">#Padres</a> pitchers RJ Alvarez, Matt Wisler and Burch Smith. Likely discussed in Myers talks.</p>
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisCotillo/status/545002023012536320">December 16, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Padres-rays deal involving wil myers said to have a chance. Rhp burch smith is one name discussed that could go to TB</p>
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/status/545021802247094274">December 17, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<p>Of course, it's not only prospects moving around, and with Mariners rumors mounting of a bat acquisition, it might make sense for this to be a major west coast swap.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Here's another element in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rays?src=hash">#Rays</a>-<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padres?src=hash">#Padres</a> talks on Wil Myers - heard there is a possibility of a third team and thus even more names</p>
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) <a href="https://twitter.com/TBTimes_Rays/status/545046143902965760">December 17, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p><b>UPDATE: 8:30 AM</b></p>
<p>Following the beat writer trail, it looks like talks are still on between San Diego and Tampa Bay, that the deal is moving toward including a third team.</p>
<p>The Mariners appear active in discussions with San Diego, but only in the wake of the deal, angling for players involved from the fall out of this trade. For instance, <span>Seattle might want Seth Smith. He would become available if San Diego acquired Myers. </span></p>
<p>So who is the third team? it might be Washington, another Rays trade partner from last winter.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Sounds like one of the pieces in the proposed Wil Myers trade might be on the way to Washington, which has insinuated itself into the deal.</p>
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/545210154078048256">December 17, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<p>We will update with more news if and when it breaks.</p>
<p><b>UPDATE: 10:40 AM</b></p>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Hearing that the Wil Myers trade is nearing the finish line. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rays?src=hash">#rays</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/padres?src=hash">#padres</a></p>
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) <a href="https://twitter.com/jcrasnick/status/545241199612022786">December 17, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
https://www.draysbay.com/2014/12/16/7406451/rays-wil-myers-trade-rumors-pardes-marinersDaniel Russell2014-12-16T17:56:26-05:002014-12-16T17:56:26-05:00Rays, Padres talking Wil Myers
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bpk0410WHNlq8leZIPVe5BWHuSk=/0x0:4896x3264/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44351240/usa-today-8066753.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Rays and Padres are reportedly discussing a massive deal - in scope and number of players - according to Ken Rosenthal.</p>
<p>We heard earlier in the Winter Meetings that Wil Myers's name had emerged as a trade candidate, and it was unexpectedly. The former Rookie of the Year's contract will remain affordable for a long time, and he's coming off what should be considered a down season after a sophomore slump and a broken wrist during a fielding blunder.</p>
<p>Myers is also somewhat without a position, given the emergence of Kevin Kiermaier and the availability of defenders Ben Zobrist and David DeJesus. Those names were the more expected trade targets, but here we are:</p>
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<p>Sources: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padres?src=hash">#Padres</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rays?src=hash">#Rays</a> discussing significant trade. Talks involve a number of players. Wil Myers would be main piece going to SD.</p>
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/544986387020525568">December 16, 2014</a>
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<p>We do not know how close the sides are to an actual deal, or any of the other players involved.It's a safe assumption, however, that the cost to land Myers would be astronomical for San Diego.</p>
<p>Everyone has their price. Wait and see.</p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2014/12/16/7405549/rays-padres-wil-myers-rumorsDaniel Russell