The Rays have acquired catcher Erik Kratz and cash considerations from the Giants in exchange for either a player to be named later or cash, per an announcement from the Giants. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times was the first to report that Kratz had been dealt to Tampa, adding that he expected right-hander Aaron Slegers to be designated for assignment to make room for Kratz on the 40-man roster (Twitter links). MLB.com’s Juan Toribio confirmed that Slegers is indeed headed for DFA limbo.
Kratz was designated himself by the Giants earlier this week, and the veteran will now suit up for the ninth different team in 10 Major League seasons. Kratz will back up Travis d’Arnaud, himself a recent acquisition, on a Rays team that has seen its catching depth depleted in recent days. Mike Zunino, Michael Perez, and now rookie Anthony Bemboom have all been sidelined with injuries, with Bemboom hitting the IL earlier today due to a sprained left knee. It’s probably safe to assume that Kratz’s time with the Rays could be short as players begin to return from injury, though that might still be some weeks away, and d’Arnaud himself is no guarantee to stay healthy.
The money changing hands in the deal should indicate that the Rays won’t be on the hook for much of the approximately $900K that Kratz is still owed for the remainder of the season.
Slegers has a 5.90 ERA over 29 career MLB innings, all with the Twins from 2017-18. After going to the Pirates on a waiver claim in the offseason, he was acquired by the Rays at the end of Spring Training, and Slegers has managed only a 6.15 ERA over 33 2/3 innings for Triple-A Durham this season.
might as well sign Rupp at this point
I’m gonna laugh so hard if the player to be named later is Travis d’Arnaud.
“Hey man, don’t tell your brother about this”
Anybody feel bad for Nick Cuiffo yet? No? Just me?
Probably looking for a veteran presence. Kratz isn’t terrible. He is as a regular but a decent fill in with some defensive ability.
Did you see his defense when he was up? Don’t feel bad at all
They want Ciuffo to develop in Triple A
I was just thinking that maybe it was in the Giants’ best interest to stop trading with the Rays for awhile because they seem to be a lot better at it — but I guess DFA’d players don’t really count….
10 teams in 10 years, I’m at a loss for how he’s stuck that long
It’s NINTH team dude…..
12th organization in his career Toronto, Pittsburgh, Philly, KC, Seattle, Houston. Angels, Yanks, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Giants, and now the Rays. 12 down….18 to go…….solid defense and a serviceable backup bat. Good clubhouse guy. Glad he can keep it going for another season in the sun.
Pitchers like pitching to him, and even though his offensive numbers are always poor, he’s usually good for a few big hits at clutch times.
Kratz also has a reputation of being a high character guy who is a positive influence in the clubhouse. On a young, contending team like the Rays he’s a perfect fit.
Experienced defense-first back up catchers are the kind of players everybody wants on the 40-man, just in case
Catchers get hurt a lot, and you don’t want to trust too much in inexperienced guys if you’re in contention, since a bad catcher can just wreck a pitching staff down the stretch.
Even if he doesn’t hit, you can at least rely on Kratz to call a decent game and field his position.
Kratz is trying to catch up with Edwin Jackson for most teams played.
I’m okay with this.
Kratz has caught enough staffs that he should be ready to manage.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes a coach post playing career. Lots of catchers have become managers.
How come the amount of cash in these transactions is never mentioned? Is it some minimal amount that I’m supposed to know?
It’s often never specified at the time of a trade, especially when there’s a ‘player to be named later’ involved.
i dont think it’s ever much of consequence. its not like it really has any affect on anything.
d’Arnaud at risk for injury?
You don’t say!
Shoula traded for Swihart…….
The Rays catcher injury parade hadn’t started when Swihart was traded besides teams rarely trade with a division contender.
actually now might be the most resonable time, as the Dbacks will have 5 catchers in the roster when Avila gets back.
actually Avila is back already even better time.