The Rays bolstered their rotation by acquiring Freddy Peralta before the MLB Trade Deadline. While Tampa Bay missed out on Tarik Skubal, Erik Neander landed a low-risk, high-upside starter who could thrive with the Rays' track record of reviving pitchers.
The Tampa Bay Rays made a big splash on Sunday.
With just over 24 hours to go before the MLB Trade Deadline came to an end, Erik Neander and the Rays front office acquired Freddy Peralta from the struggling New York Mets to bolster their starting rotation.
The move comes hours after the blockbuster move from the Los Angeles Dodgers when they traded for Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal, who the Rays were rumored to also be in the mix for.
However, the Rays decided to go in a different direction of a rental with much to prove, and at a lower cost.
It is clearly a low risk, high reward trade, but it will be looked badly upon if the Rays make this their only move of the deadline. Peralta is having a disappointing year and will need the organization to help him get back to form for the second half of the year.
This season he is 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA across 22 games started. He has 113 strikeouts over 113 innings pitched.
According to Spotrac, the Mets will retain the majority of his $8.1 million contract for the season. In fact, only $$2,395,736 will be paid by Tampa Bay for the remainder of the year for a pitcher who is looking to rebound before hitting free agency.
Hopefully him heading to Tampa Bay, who leads the American League in the standings, will help him get back to where he was before he was traded to the Mets from the Milwaukee Brewers this past offseason.
The Rays have a history of revamping careers in the pitching department, especially as of late. Both Griffin Jax has shined in his change of scenery since being acquired last season, and Ian Seymour has also shown signs of improvement since moving him from reliever to starter.
But it isn't always the case; both veteran relievers Craig Kimbrel, who was designated for assignment to make room for Peralta, and Steven Matz, who has battled injuries this season, could adapt into the new organization once arriving in Tampa Bay.
It will be up to Peralta to decide which side he wants to be on,
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