The Rays are again making moves. It’s being reported the Tampa Bay Rays have landed catcher Ryan Hanigan from Cincinatti, in a three-way trade with the Reds and the Diamondbacks. Hanigan will, reportedly, get a multi-year deal as part of the trade. He is expected to make $2.75MM in 2014, $3.5MM in 2015, $3.7MM in 2016, and $3.75MM in 2017, with an $800K buyout.
The Rays have long coveted Hanigan thanks to his defense behind the plate. Hanigan has a strong ability to control the running game, having led the league in caught-stealing percentage the past two seasons (48% in 2012, 45% in 2013). Additionally, much like Jose Molina, Hanigan is well known for his ability to frame the strike zone.
As for the other half of the trade, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports that the Rays are getting reliever Heath Bell from the Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks will receive Single-A RHP Justin Choate and a player to be named later from the Rays. Tampa Bay will end up paying just over $5MM of Bell’s $9MM salary — the Marlins are expected to pay $3MM, with the Diamondbacks footing the rest.
Though Bell became a punchline of sorts in recent years, he was fairly effective for Arizona in 2013, posting a 4.11 ERA and 72/16 K/BB in 66 innings. He served up too many homers, but the bat-missing and control are certainly enough to think he can give the Rays some solid innings.
It’s assumed that Jose Lobaton may be traded to facilitate the deal. Lobaton is out of options, and could not be sent to Durham next year. It’s speculated that he could end up with the White Sox in an unrelated move, though he is still with Tampa Bay at the moment.
I’ll update this piece shortly.