The Tampa Bay Rays made a pair of trades on Friday, acquiring outfielder Richie Palacios from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge and sending outfielder Luke Raley to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for infielder José Caballero .
In both trades, the Rays, whose roster-turnaround skills have helped them to a 511-359 record since 2018, second-best in the American League and fourth in the Major Leagues, will receive players with six years of team control. equipment. Raley has five years at the helm of the club, while Kittredge will hit free agency after the 2024 season.
Kittredge, who will turn 34 on Opening Day, made the All-Star team in 2021 and underwent Tommy John surgery the following season. In his return last year, he went 2-0 with a 3.09 ERA in 11⅔ innings. Kittredge, who is estimated to earn around $2.5 million in arbitration this season, joins a Cardinals bullpen that has used Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos in late-inning situations.
Palacios, who came to St. Louis from Cleveland in a cash trade last year, is a 26-year-old left-handed hitter who hit .258/.307/.516 with six home runs and 16 RBIs in 102 appearances. the plate. last year. With Lars Nootbaar, Jordan Walker, Tommy Edman and Dylan Carlson expected to receive the bulk of the Cardinals’ at-bats in the outfield this season, Palacios had a narrow path to playing time.
In Tampa Bay, he will join Caballero, 27, who capably filled in at second base for Seattle last year and could see time at shortstop for the Rays as they try to fill the position with Wander Franco under investigation by officials. in the Dominican Republic for an alleged relationship with a 14-year-old girl.
Caballero hit .221/.343/.320 with 26 stolen bases in Seattle.
Palacios could get playing time in place of Raley, who hit .249/.333/.490 with 19 home runs in 406 plate appearances for the Rays last season. Tampa Bay’s starting outfield is expected to include star left fielder Randy Arozarena, right fielder Josh Lowe and center fielder José Siri, with Jonny Deluca, acquired in Tampa Bay’s trade of Tyler Glasnow to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Angels, also at play.
