Photo Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
According to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald, the Miami Marlins have traded shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria to the Tampa Bay Rays.
In return, the Marlins acquire two minor leaguers – outfielder Braxton Lee and RHP Ethan Clark.
Hechavarria, 27, has been sidelined by an oblique injury for over a month but is ready to take the field. The Rays have been without a legitimate shortstop since Matt Duffy was benched with a heel injury that needed surgery.
Hechavarria is an outstanding defensive shortstop with a +18 DRS (defensive runs saved) and a +24.1 UZR (ultimate zone rating) in 2015 and 2016. He was earning $4.35MM this season which was the primary reason the Marlins wanted to trade him according to reports.
This deal very much helps the Rays who were in desperate need for a good defensive shortstop. This deal only helps them as they are 40-38 on the season; third place in the AL East and first place in the AL Wild Card race.
In 20 games before his injury, the shortstop slashed .277/.288/.385 with one home run.
This is great news for the Mets who travel to Miami this week for a three-game set. In 65 career games against the Mets, he was held in check offensively posting a .218/.263/.286 slash line with one home run, 12 doubles, and one triple in 220 at-bats. He was, however, a thorn in the Mets’ side defensively.
