The second significant trade in two days, and both involve the Rays. This time they sent lefty starting pitcher Rich Hill to the Mets in exchange for reliever Tommy Hunter and a minor league catcher.
The need for the Mets was clear. Syndergaard isn’t available this season. Carrasco has had a setback in rehab. de Grom is on the IL. They needed a starting pitcher.
The motivation for the Rays isn’t so clear. They have been beefing up their bullpen, true. That was the point of trading Willy Adames to the Brewers—they got two good relievers in return. However, starters are more valuable than relievers, unless we’re talking about Mariano Rivera. Based on his stats, that minor league catcher doesn’t look like Johnny Bench Jr either. Further, with Glasnow out for the season, the Rays could really use veteran starting pitchers too.
Maybe there are other dominoes to fall for the Rays that will make me say “oh, okay” in the next few days. (Jonathan Gray? Luis Castillo? Jose Berrios? Max Scherzer? Some other good starter?) Otherwise I look at this deal and say “huh?”
Fan Interference 
Oh, snap! We ALMOST got the third Angels no hitter v. Minnesota.
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