The Tampa Bay Rays acquired right-hander Freddy Peralta from the New York Mets on Sunday afternoon, adding a two-time All-Star to their pitching staff ahead of the Trade Deadline.
Tampa Bay sent the New York Mets three Minor League prospects: outfielder Aidan Smith, right-hander Gary Gill Hill and infielder Emilien Pitre. Smith ranked No. 15 in the Tampa Bay Rays system according to MLB Pipeline, while Gill Hill ranked No. 26 and Pitre ranked No. 27.
The deal was officially announced during the Tampa Bay Rays’ 9-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. Tampa Bay was 65-46 at the time of the trade, giving the club the best record in the American League, according to the source.
Freddy Peralta brings All-Star experience
Peralta, 30, is set to become a free agent at the end of the season and is making $8 million this year. He made two All-Star teams while pitching to a 3.59 ERA over 211 appearances for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Last season, Peralta went 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA and 5.5 Wins Above Replacement in 176 2/3 innings over 33 starts. He posted a 3.10 ERA in his first nine starts with the New York Mets this season, but went 2-6 with a 6.44 ERA over his last 13 outings.
“We’re excited to welcome Freddy Peralta to the Tampa Bay Rays,” president of baseball operations Erik Neander said in a statement. “Freddy is a proven Major League starter with high-stakes experience and a strong track record. Adding a pitcher and competitor of his caliber strengthens our team as we push forward.”
Tampa Bay sends three prospects to New York
Smith is a strong defensive center fielder currently with High-A Bowling Green. Pitre is a defensive second baseman who was batting .308/.438/.447 between High-A and Double-A Montgomery this season, while Gill Hill has consistently taken the ball and produced solid numbers as a starting pitching prospect.
“He’s a great teammate. He’s a competitor. He comes every day to work,” Tampa Bay Rays assistant hitting coach Ozzie Timmons said. “He has really good stuff. I mean, really good stuff. … He has a lot of energy every day. He’ll remind you of Willy Adames a little bit with his energy.”
Peralta is scheduled to make his Tampa Bay Rays debut at 8:40 p.m. ET Tuesday on Rays.TV and MLB.TV. “I’m very excited, certainly given that Mac is down, to be able to slot [Peralta] in,” manager Kevin Cash said.
Source: Original report