The Tampa Bay Rays just got the starting pitcher they needed.
The Tampa Bay Rays did not wait long after missing out on Detroit Tigers superstar Tarik Skubal on Saturday night, acquiring the other premiere pitcher on the market the following afternoon in a trade with the New York Mets.
By acquiring Freddy Peralta from New York, the Rays were able to secure the starting pitcher they desperately needed in order to make a real run at not only winning the division, but also contending for an American League pennant. While they were not able to land Skubal, Tampa Bay went out and got the next best thing and that kind of aggression should be commended.
The price was not cheap, dealing three prospects from within the top-30 in the organization, but at the end of the day, prospects are still nothing more than lottery tickets and clutching onto them while having a chance to win now is foolish.
Rays Dealt Significant Package to Land Peralta
Tampa Bay dealt their No. 15, No. 26 and No. 27 prospects in OF Aidan Smith (now Mets No. 12), RHP Gary Gill Hill (now Mets No. 17), and Émilien Pitre (now Mets No. 15) to acquire the services of Peralta, a price that while steep, is what it costs to make a legitimate upgrade this time of year.
Peralta has not had a great season by any means this year, but nothing has gone right for New York during this nightmare of a campaign. The Rays are betting on their own development being able to get him back to form, something which would give this team another ace headed down the stretch and in October.
Though a 4.99 ERA across 22 starts is unremarkable, Peralta led the National League in wins last year with 17 to go along with a 2.70 ERA, 1.075 WHIP, and 204 strikeouts in 176.2 innings pitched. Perhaps a change of scenery -- not to mention the motivation that he will hit free agency after the year -- is enough to get him back on track and pitching at a high level for his new team.
At the end of the day, Tampa Bay made a move here which was aggressive and a clear sign that they are trying to improve and win now. That is something that should excite the fanbase and earn the team a lot of credit in their minds. With Peralta in the fold, the Rays have just given themselves a better chance at a very exciting postseason.
