The Mariners announced that catcher Jesus Sucre has been traded to the Rays in exchange for a player to named later or cash. The 28-year-old Sucre had recently been designated for assignment and outrighted off the 40-man roster, so he’ll head to camp with the Rays as a non-roster invitee.
Sucre has hit for average in the minors, batting .279/.312/.341 across parts of four Triple-A seasons, but he’s never been able to produce at the plate in the Majors. In parts of four seasons with Seattle, he owns a collective .209/.246/.276 batting line in 264 trips to the plate. There may be some temptation to assume that the pitcher-friendly Safeco Field has played a role in those struggles, but Sucre’s .640 OPS at home in his career dwarfs his .415 road mark.
Though he’s struggled at the plate, Sucre has proven to be an adept defender, throwing out 35 percent of attempted base thieves in his big league career. He’s routinely received average to above-average grades for his pitch-framing skills as well. Dating back to his prospect days with the Braves, Sucre has been touted as a strong overall defender, with Baseball America previously calling his arm a “cannon” and rating him as the best defensive backstop in Atlanta’s system in 2010.
The Rays signed Wilson Ramos earlier this offseason with the hope that he can eventually shoulder the load behind the plate following last September’s ACL tear. He’ll miss at least a couple of months of the 2017 campaign, leaving Curt Casali and Luke Maile to handle the bulk of the catching duties early in the year. Sucre could conceivably challenge that pair for playing time in Spring Training, or he could simply head to Triple-A as a defensive-minded depth piece.
There have also been rumors connecting the Rays to free-agent catcher Matt Wieters, although at this point there’s been nothing to suggest that Tampa Bay is in serious pursuit of the former Oriole or that any form of offer has been made.
Rays get all the mariners!
Dipoto has Silverman on speed dial
Today is a sad day for Seattle.
Odds that player to be named is De Leon
Sweet Jesus
Great deal for the Rays. I’m a big Jesus fan and really feel he’s going to take the gig and run. Excellent behind the dish and he’s matured with the bat. He’s not going to hit for a lot of power but he’s really learned to go the other way and is steady situationally. The Rays are going to love his work behind the plate. He’s a great framer and blocker and handles a staff very well.. I’ve been calling for this trade for at least a month now.
I’m surprised by this. He cleared waivers and was out righted off their 49 man roster. Wish they just DFA Tuffy and opened up a spot on the 40 man roster to pick up someone else.
*40 man roster.
Well, as Bob Dutton explained it, they like Tuffy because he has one option and they can bring him up/send him down all season, whereas Sucre would have to constantly go through waivers each time.
And they don’t want Tuffy and Sucre because they want an open spot in Tacoma for a younger guy.
Good defensive catcher who has improved greatly with the bat. Nice depth for the Rays.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Sucre win the starting gig down there. I don’t know what the kind of receivers the other guys on their roster are, but Sucre is great with pitchers, blocking and framing. If he can put up a .650 OPS that’s great value.
I’ll miss him! I hope he does well on the Rays.
Pretty excited about this. Rays need depth till Wilson is healthy. Now on to a RH bat that can play first. Park is my pick.
Jesus Sugar was Felix’s dugout pal and preferred catcher, but a roster slot is too important to spend on just that. Wish him the best, hope he finds his bat.
The Ms have had Joe Table ( Jose Mesa ) and Jesus Sugar ( Jesus Sucre.