Hot-Stove: Analyzing the Ben Zobrist/Yunel Escobar Trade

A day after the big trade of Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar, I’m still stunned and somewhat taken aback. I’ll admit it, part of my despair is based completely on sentimentality — Ben Zobrist is my favorite baseball player. Don’t get me wrong, I knew one of the two was destined for the trade block after Tampa Bay signed free-agent middle infielder Asdrubal Cabrera. However, I certainly wasn’t prepared for a deal of like this.

DRaysBay: Evaluating Asdrubal Cabrera, the Defender

I wrote about the acquisition of Asdrubal Cabrera the other day, and how the deal might be better than the initial gut reaction might assume — that is, supposing the Rays can cobble together a trade of Yunel Escobar. I included an offensive analysis of Cabrera in that article, while also incorporating a piece from Dock of the Rays blog which went into great detail on that very subject. Danny Russell (DRaysBay) took a look Cabrera the defender Thursday, and I thought I’d re-post that article below. After all, a complete view of the newest Ray must include all facets of Cabrera’s game.

Hot-Stove: Rays to Acquire INF Asdrubal Cabrera

Charlie Wilmoth (MLB Trade Rumors) is reporting that the Rays have signed 29 year-old middle infielder Asdrubal Cabrera. Though all the specifics of the contract have not been announced, the initial reports have pegged the acquisition as a one year deal, which would typically require a higher dollar amount hence the $8MM figure Joel Sherman reported earlier.

Hot-Stove: Wil Myers, Ryan Hanigan Headed to San Diego in Three-Team Trade

The Rays — unexpectedly — just completed a three team trade of Wil Myers and Ryan Hanigan with the San Diego Padres and Washington Nationals. The deal is pending physicals of all the players involved, and final confirmation from the Rays.

Hot-Stove: Kevin Cash is the New Manager of the Tampa Bay Rays

A little more than a month after Joe Maddon announced his abrupt exit from the Tampa Bay Rays unconfirmed reports have it that Kevin Cash has been hired as the new manager of the Tampa Bay Rays.