Rays Land 2 Marlins Arms, Deal Jesus Sanchez

Image credit: Jesus Sanchez (Photo by Mike Janes/Four Seam Images)

The Rays have been creative about using openers to fill starts that most teams would give to a No. 4 or No. 5 starter, but even the Rays love of relievers has its limits. Needing a starter with Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow both on the injured list, Tampa Bay sent one of its better position prospects, Jesus Sanchez, to Miami in a deal that brings back a reliable starter — Trevor Richards.

For the Marlins, the move helps bring in yet another high upside position prospect on a day when Miami also acquired toolsy shortstop Jazz Chisholm.

 

MARLINS ACQUIRE

Jesus Sanchez, OF
Age: 21

Sanchez made it to Triple-A before his 22nd birthday, but overall this season has been a little bit of a struggle for one of the better young outfield prospects in the game (he ranks 48th on the Baseball America Top 100). Sanchez continued to play but seemed to be less than 100 percent early this season. He likes to get his arms extended to drive the ball, but needs to prove he can handle being busted in with fastballs. Defensively he has the tools to be a right fielder, but is fringe-average for now because of less than ideal reads. Sanchez has the potential to be an everyday corner outfielder with 25-30 home run potential, but he may need another full season in Triple-A to refine his swing.

Ryne Stanek, RHP
Age: 28

Stanek’s trade to the Marlins is likely what will keep him from becoming the first pitcher in the 21st century to make more than 36 starts. Stanek worked as an opener for the Rays, making 27 starts in 41 appearances this season. With a team that doesn’t use an opener, Stanek will slide back into an seventh/eighth-inning role. Everything is hard with Stanek. He relies on a 97-99 mph fastball, a hard high 80s slider and a similarly hard splitter. Stanek could eventually become a closer. He has one more season before he is arbitration eligible. Stanek is currently on the IL with a hip injury but is ready to head out for a rehab assignment with Miami.

RAYS ACQUIRE

Trevor Richards, RHP
Age: 26

The Marlins signed Richards from of the independent Frontier League’s Gateway Grizzlies because a scout liked his changeup. In just two years, he rocketed from indy ball to the big leagues. That plus-plus changeup and just enough fastball (90-92 mph) has helped him become a reliable back-of-the-rotation starter.

Nick Anderson, RHP
Age: 29

Like Richards, Anderson had to make it to the majors the hard way, as he began his pro career in the Frontier League and even spent some time with the Frontier League’s travel team. The Twins signed him out of indy ball and he quickly showed that his mid-90s fastball and above-average control made him a legitimate relief prospect. Acquired by the Marlins last winter in a trade for Brian Schales, Anderson misses plenty of bats (14 K/9) with his fastball/slider combo. He should immediately fit into the Rays bullpen, replacing Stanek, the player the Rays sent to Miami in the deal.