MLB Trade rumors: Mets trade Lucas Duda to Rays
With the trade deadline approaching, the New York Mets are trading DH/1B Lucas Duda to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for RHP Drew Smith.
The Tampa Bay Rays are currently sitting in third place in the AL East, behind the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. At 53-49, they’re only 2.5 games back of first place.
The Rays want to make a move ahead of the trade deadline in order to boost their roster in any way possible. Tampa Bay doesn’t have a great situation with their first baseman or their designated hitter. So what do you do at the trade deadline? Make a move to acquire a player that can you help you down the stretch run at these positions.
According to Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan, the Rays are going to complete a deal that will land them the New York Mets’ first baseman Lucas Duda. In exchange, they’ll send RHP Drew Smith to New York.
Sources: Rays and Mets are expected to complete a deal for DH/1B Lucas Duda. Right-handed reliever Drew Smith would head back to the Mets.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2017
It’s a deal that’s going to definitely benefit both sides. For Tampa Bay, Duda is a 31-year-old that’s in his eighth season in the majors. This season, he’s batting .246 with 17 home runs. Duda will provide pop in the Tampa Bay lineup immediately and can be their designated hitter on some given nights.
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On the other hand, the Mets are getting back Smith, who’s a minor league pitching prospect. The Mets are five games under .500 and 13.5 games back of the NL East-leading Washington Nationals. They’re likely not heading to the playoffs, unless there’s a drastic turn of events. So it’s good to be a seller at the deadline. The Mets will get a good prospect back in exchange for one of their key players.
The Rays are making moves, adding Duda, to try and make up ground on the Red Sox and Yankees.