Long-time NY Met will now call Tampa home as Rays-Mets finalize trade.
The MLB trade deadline is still a few days away. That didn’t stop the Tampa Bay Rays from keeping busy Thursday. After prying LHP Dan Jennings away from the Chicago White Sox, the front office kept the pedal pressed firmly to the ground. Around 5:45 PM EST – the trade was official. The Rays sent 23-year old RHP reliever, Drew Smith, to the Mets for 31-year old 1B/DH Lucas Duda.
It’s a done deal, #Rays are getting Duda for minor league RHP Drew Smith
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 27, 2017
Duda, who’s spent his entire eight year career in New York, will likely get the majority of his playing time at DH while Corey Dickerson will see more time in left field. In 2017 he’s played in 75 games hitting .246 with 17 HR and 37 RBI. Of his 75 games, 69 have been at first base – giving him flexibility to spell Logan Morrison if needed.
Duda: “I was very proud to be a New York Met and I am going to be very proud to be a Tampa Bay Ray.”
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) July 27, 2017
The Los Angeles native is hitting .308 against LH starters with a 1.116 OPS. He was a seventh-round pick by the Mets in 2007.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the team designated OF Shane Peterson for assignment.
Reliever on the move again.
Smith, who was a part of the deal earlier this year that send OF Mikie Mahtook to the Tigers, was having himself quite the year in the Rays system. He was pitching to a 1.60 ERA in 31 games and was the Rays 30th-ranked prospect.
In one game at AAA Durham this year he pitched a scoreless inning back on July 3rd. He’s currently been at AA Montgomery, last pitching on July 25th for the Biscuits.
