9:19am: The teams have officially announced the four-player trade. Tampa Bay placed lefty Jalen Beeks, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, on the 60-day injured list to open a 40-man roster spot. The Red Sox, notably, announced that backup catcher Kevin Plawecki has been placed on the Covid-19 related injured list (which can be done either for positive cases or for players who have been exposed to positive cases).
9:00am: The two sides have agreed to the trade of Mazza, Springs and cash for Hernandez and Sogard, tweets Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
8:09am: The Rays and Red Sox are moving toward a trade that would send recently designated-for-assignment pitchers Chris Mazza and Jeffrey Springs from Boston to Tampa Bay in exchange for minor league catcher Ronaldo Hernandez and another Rays farmhand, reports Alex Speier of the Boston Globe (Twitter thread). MLB.com’s Adam Berry tweets that 23-year-old Nick Sogard, the Rays’ 12th-round pick in 2019, is the other player going to Boston in the deal.
Hernandez ranked among the game’s top 100 prospects as recently as the 2018-19 offseason, so it’s a bit of a surprise to see the Rays deal him and another minor leaguer in exchange for a pair of recently DFA’ed arms. Hernandez’s prospect stock has tumbled in recent seasons, however, and the Rays are likely aiming to stockpile as much optionable pitching depth as possible to get them through a 2021 season when most pitchers will be on limited workloads.
Mazza, 31, has spent time in the Majors with the Mets and Red Sox across the past two seasons but hasn’t matched his strong Triple-A results. In 46 1/3 big league innings, he’s posted a 5.05 ERA and 4.96 SIERA with sub-par strikeout (21.3), walk (11.0) and ground-ball (35.4) percentages. Mazza does carry a 3.72 ERA in 92 Triple-A frames and a 3.24 mark in 283 2/3 Double-A innings, but he’s been with five MLB organizations (Twins, Marlins, Mariners, Mets, Red Sox) and hasn’t carried those results to the big leagues yet.
The 2020 season was Springs’ first with the Red Sox, and it proved to be a struggle. In 20 1/3 frames, the former Rangers southpaw was tagged for a 7.08 ERA. He struck out 28 percent of his opponents against just a seven percent walk rate, but five of the 99 opponents Springs faced took him deep. He has a 5.42 ERA and 4.66 FIP in 84 2/3 innings at the Major League level between the Texas and Boston organizations.
Mazza limited hard contact reasonably well in 2020, while Springs showed plenty of aptitude for missing bats even if he yielded too many long balls. Both figure to be shuttled back and forth between the Rays’ Triple-A club in Durham and their MLB roster throughout the season. The Rays surely believe they can coax more out of both players as well, either by tinkering with their pitch mixes or altering their approach with the existing arsenals of Mazza and Springs.
The trade also illustrates the volatility of prospects and serves as a reminder not to be too beholden to prospect lists, which are typically just a snapshot in time anyhow. Hernandez posted big numbers in Rookie ball and had a strong full-season debut in 2018 when he slashed .284/.339/.494 with 21 homers in 109 games. His 2019 season in Class-A Advanced, however, resulted in a lackluster .265/.299/.397 showing, though he did rebound with a good showing during 11 games of Arizona Fall League action.
Hernandez still ranked 13th among Tampa Bay prospects, per Baseball America, but perhaps the Rays’ internal evaluations vary. It’s tougher than ever to evaluate prospects right now after they didn’t have a minor league season in 2020 and weren’t as widely accessible for scouts. The Rays may feel that Hernandez’s stock is more diminished than the general public consensus. Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom, meanwhile, knows Hernandez quite well from his time as a Rays vice president and was likely more than content to roll the dice on a prospect at an organizational position of need when the cost was a pair of arms the Sox determined to be fringe 40-man contributors.
Boston will also pick up Sogard, a utility-infield type who is devoid of any power but can move around the diamond with a contact-driven skill set at the plate. Sogard hit all of two home runs in his NCAA career and slashed .290/.405/.313 in 63 games for the Rays’ short-season Class-A affiliate following the draft. He walked nearly as often as he struck out that year — a trend which aligns with his college days at Loyola Marymount.
The Rays are active today. Mazza finna put up a 2.74 ERA now. I just realized is Ronaldo Hernandez the guy in the Lowe trade.
Think you’ve got the wrong Hernandez there.
Heriberto Hernandez was the guy in the Lowe trade
I don’t really like this trade for the Rays trading two promising prospects for two relievers that have struggled in the majors meaning having a high ERA. However, the Rays are a team that you don’t understand that they do, but they win.
Rays are trying to win now on a limited budget and this trade helps in that they have the 40 man space and believe if necessary these guys are closer to helping. For Boston; Bloom knows Hernandez. Simple as that.
Also the COVID situation gives Boston a needed additional catcher for spring training.
Ok won’t question it as you have said so. Lol
Ray’s making smart trades taking future and present into account today.
Which they do better than anyone. Like this deal.
if this was any other team people wouldn’t be liking it. trading your catcher if the future for two relievers waived by baseball’s worst bullpen only makes sense if you’ve drank the kool-aid of a team that’s done nothing but win a single pennant recently.
Hernandez is not the Rays’ catcher of the future.
I agree if it was any other team, people would be scratching their heads at trading a 45 FV catcher for a couple DFAs, but the rays have earned most fan’s trust in something like this.
you’re telling me the guy doesnt have the makings. of a top 30 catcher in the game in the near future? imo the Rays were a good catcher away from a title last year, and Hernandez provides the potential to be that very soon.
No, I do not think so. I just realized I responded to another of your comments explaining why I believe this, but in case others care about my take: I think he is either a career backup catcher or has to move to 1B where he will be well below average positionally. He’s bad defensively and was seriously overmatched in A+. He’s now 23 and should be repeating A+ where he can learn to take a ball and get his body right to continue catching.
Theses 2 guys are stiffs DoM
Jeffrey Springs has closer potential. Mazza solid depth. Your a stiff. Lesbutch.
This is why outside of the top 10, we shouldnt overvalue prospects based off top 100 lists, they are totally arbitrary and have very little basis on how front offices work in reality.
^this
Should just be a reminder that thinking isn’t uniform. There’s no two people who agree on who the top 100 prospects in baseball are. If TB doesn’t see Hernandez sticking behind the plate—then what is he? Nothing at all. TB likes to see different arm slots and give you different looks out of the bullpen. They obviously think that these 2 can provide something different and some depth. Hernandez was never a consensus top 100 guy. Guys come and go off the back end of that list all the time.
@jbigz12 I agree with that too, I think we all can agree on the top 10 having a high probability of at least being MLB-quality 25-man roster spots, and potential stars, but everyone else is very fluid and depending on form, injuries and advancing their game at a sensible rate. The Rays are known for turning any RP into a stud and are also contenders, and being they lost a bunch of RPs, this trade makes a ton of sense for them. If Hernandez turns it around, good for him, but no matter what he does its not helping them win in 2021, these two too.
Most of us have very little true knowledge of prospects. Some guys are #50, on their way to #15, and others are #49, on their way to #99. Especially with catchers, since without seeing them (or even with seeing them), no one knows if someone is going to stick at catcher.
On paper, this looks great for the RS, but how often do the Rays give away anything important?
Agreed with this take too, a lot of top 100 list placements actually have to do with media saturation: thus all NY team prospects are usually overrated due to having been covered by dozens more writers and followers than smaller market teams, who all are working for the team and are usually fans and are focussing on the good much more than the bad.
Change that a bit.. On paper and in fact, Anything is better than 2 discards never wanted to see coming out of the Sox MLB BP again! While don’t think either of the kids received will amount to anything and took both as extreme longshots.. Spring and Mazza are what they are.. AAAA cannon fodder.
I’m not expecting much from Hernandez, but there is a decent chance he could grow into a quality backup. Kind of like Wong. It’s nice to have these pieces available.
Except that Bloom knows the Rays in depth…
I think it depends. If a guy is seen as a top 100 prospect by multiple different sources, making him a consensus top 100 guy, then he’s probably worth valuing.
Low key Red Sox must’ve won this
I’m amazed they got anything at all for these freaking bums. Chaim can really make something out of nothing
The Rays so desperately want to battle the Red Sox for third place
The Rays will win the AL East with ease! Hate to break it you, but their FO is smarter than you and every other FO in MLB. I’m not even a fan, I’m just a sensible person who gives respect where it’s due.
they might finish 2nd…
They might. They certainly didn’t help themselves this offseason in which they entered as the favorites of the ALE though. That ownership has got to go, I’d be furious if I were a fan.
Go look up Morton’s performance in the regular season in 2020. Then come back here and realize that the only ‘loss’ we had was snell. The rays had a .667 winning percentage, it wasn’t because of one pitcher
jdgoat
That ownership has got to go, I’d be furious if I were a fan.
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‘if you were a fan’ is the key. Then the Rays would have twice as many fans as they use to have. If the fans don’t go to any games, then they have forfeited the right to be furious about anything.
Morton wasn’t very good in the regular season last year. But it was a brief season and I think they benefitted TB more than most. TB deploys a ton of relievers and uses short starts + openers. In a brief season—they had a lot of very fresh arms and the hitters didn’t have as much time to adjust.
The Rays have a good squad. Should be a playoff team. Definitely not going to be the favorites, though. You can’t expect that.
@jbigzi you’re so right man. The rays won at a .667 clip because hitters (excluding their own apparently) couldn’t adjust and their arms were 100x fresher than everyone else despite most pitchers throwing like 50ip.
You’re pretty triggered, man. I never said the Rays didn’t have a quality club. Both things can be true. The Rays use short starts, mix and match, and use the opener more than anyone in baseball. I think in a shortened season that strategy is more effective.
I’m not triggered. I’m pointing how dumb your statement was
The Rays lose every off season. Their front office and basically all their fans get it. They’ll be fine..
I don’t think you’re “sensible”. At all.
In fact, I think you’re just some dude prone to wild & unfounded takes such as; “The Ray’s will win the East with ease!”, & this is just one more in your ongoing litany.
Not according to Vegas they won’t. Or are you saying this particular move hasn’t caught up to the book makers & has propelled them past the Yankees.
Whom – ya know – Vegas favors not just in the East but in the entire AL.
Marty McRae is a super smart very intelligent person genius. Haven’t you seen all his posts? If that isn’t clear to you by now you have to be a stupid dumb-dumb doodoo head idiot.
to be fair, if the bookmakers think the Yankees are winning the whole AL when the Jays are the better team then they are a little off id say.
Thanks for clarifying, @Nebraska.
It’s good to know the lay of the land.
@darkside –
Yeah, I think the Yanks, Blue Jay’s, & Ray’s will all win 90+ games. Gonna be a long summer in Boston.
I guess you should take it up with Vegas. Personally, I have a hard time believing that the Jay’s are a better squad than the Yanks. Off-season still not done yet, though. Toronto seems like they have an addition or two to make yet.
But, Vegas is typically pretty skilled at ascertaining whom the best teams are. I think a lot of times fans just see flaws rather than the big picture viewpoint.
Guess we’ll see.
I’m starting to like Cashman’s off-season work.
The Rays have a great FO. But they’ve had a great FO for years and have never won back to back ALE titles. Comes with the territory of playing in what is consistently one of the best divisions in baseball. And also doing so with about a 50 million dollar payroll.
It would not be the most shocking thing to see Tampa win 90+ again, but I honestly do not see how they pull it off this year. I would be wary on the Blue Jays, There is an awful lot that can go wrong there. The Yankees will always be good in that band box with power hitters, above average starters, and stacked pen. also, they show that things going wrong is nearly irrelevant to them. I think records will depend more on the amount of bad rosters these teams are playing rather then their own. What will separate them, and imho give the Yankees the edge, are their ability to destroy garbage teams with a higher percentage then the others, most would say the head to heads, but I think the Yankees have the edge head to head anyway, so the other teams would need to dominate better against bad teams. I don’t see it.
Yeah, I’m ALLOWED to have takes and opinions, you know? You are too….
Imagine being a comment police on an anon comments section just because I didn’t say your fave team is the best in the game, which isnt even remotely true…what a life…
Bro.
Pointing out stupid take is stupid is hardly some form “comment policing”.
You seem pretty triggered out again, Marty. You should have a hobby, man.
Sorry if the experts in Las Vegas pooped in your corn pops this morning. Toughen up. It’s still early. Still time to seize the day, Marty.
Interesting! Who did Vegas favor LAST year??? Oh! That’s right….THE YANKEES!!
It’s nice to always be one of the Big Dogs, @fucjoe.
Sounds like you must root for one of those scrub teams that is not.
Sucks for you, I suppose.
Not so much for me.
🙂
Somehow, I really don’t think you lose the quality pitching they have lost and still expect to win the division. Stranger things have happened, but I’m not betting on it!
Always bet on the Rays, they will come through for you like a thoroughbred!
Bro their smartest guy just joined RS and that’s why this trade happened. Bloom probably gave them some advice how to run the organization that’s why red sox landed Hernandez in the first place
Bro their smartest guy just joined RS and that’s why this trade happened. Bloom probably gave them some advice how to run the organization that’s why red sox landed Hernandez in the first place
im sorry, but you don’t trade a premier catching prospect + for two fringe 40 man guys on waivers. TB can get random RPs to turn into gold without giving up serious talent to do so.
There is nothing premier about a 23 year old prospect who can’t hit a lick in A+ and by all accounts is below average at managing pitchers and receiving. A rocket arm only gets you so far. Not only will Hernandez be required to improve defensively but he’ll have to learn to condition because the dude might have to move to 1B if he can’t get his body right.
I think the proper take is somewhere in between you two. A 104 wRC+ as a 21 year old in A+ is pretty good for a catcher. He has shown the ability to hit, so I don’t know where this “can’t hit a lick” has come from. He was very much overvalued in past season reports due to a power surge that may or may not be consistent with his profile. He is still a 45 FV guy in my mind and most scouts’ which is nothing to scoff at, especially at the catcher position. It is surprising to see him traded for a couple middle relievers, but I will give the Rays the benefit of the doubt.
Context is key. If Jeff Bridich makes this deal you rip him a new one because what has he done? Consistently make terrible moves.
But when a guy like Neander does this—you sit back and wait. Might end up being a bad deal or an inconsequential one but he’s earned the right.
I (like a bunch of others) questioned the Arozarena deal last year because they had 2 CF’s on the roster already( Margot and KK)
Look how that went in year 1. Arozarena was unstoppable and they ended up playing all 3 in the OF together. Never saw that as a successful pairing but it sure worked out.
he hit well prior to 2019 and even his 2019 numbers were good for a catcher. his defense might not be great but his CS% numbers are absurd.
He has some pop and had a 104 wRC+ at High-A in 2019. He doesn’t strikeout much, but he doesn’t walk much either. While that’s pretty good for a catcher, he’s not very good defensively. At best, he’s average with the glove with a very strong arm. Think of kind of a Salvador Perez minus the defensive ability.
Wasn’t Hernandez supposed to be their catcher of the future? Not sure why rays make this trade
Over the last year they have acquired Francisco Mejia, Blake Hunt, and Heriberto Hernandez (who may not catch, a Mike Napoli type). Roberto was expendable.
Ronaldo*
Everybody always knew Hernandez couldn’t catch; 2019 showed he can’t hit either (though catchers do take a little longer on the developmental curve). Sogard’s the better prospect, IMHO, even if the ceiling is a utility guy.
For 2 DFA’s? From a pitching-bereft team? .Ya, why not. Obviously Bloom knows what he’s getting.
A 104 wRC+ from a 21 year old is someone who can’t hit?
his career CS% is near 50%
CS% in the lower minors isn’t how ML FO’s base their view of a guy behind the plate. Fangraphs has him scouted as a below average defensive catcher. The Rays (and many good teams) value catching defense very highly. (That’s why Mike Zunino was starting WS games)
Simply put they got Mejia. Whose offensive upside they clearly like more. Made Hernandez an expendable piece who they may just not be very high on.
Agree, Bob. Super overrated. Mejia is the better dice roll, although they should be looking to acquire a catcher with defensive skills.
Is Nick any relation to Eric (Sogard)? Serious question.
Nick is Eric’s cousin….so he’s a nerd-man once removed.
And that’s not a malicious comment. Gotta love Eric’s glasses.
Nerd Power!
So they couldn’t trade Baz for Vazquez last year and maybe that would’ve been their help against the Dodgers, but Hernandez for two bad relievers is ok. Snyder better make them into the next Josh Haders.
Those trades aren’t comparable in the slightest.
The Rays scouting and FO obviously sees something in them. Their decision history gives them the benefit of the doubt.
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The Rays system is superb; no one doubts it. There’s both star quality on top and excellent depth down below.
But that doesn’t mean EVERY Rays prospect is the second coming. The first rule is that every prospect is a suspect; even Wonder Wando.
Do the Sox “win” this one? Sure, why not? 2 shots in the dark for a couple of AAAA guys (and that’s being generous). Tough to see how Bloom could lose this one.
Nice two-way trade. The RS re-coup a couple of prospects for guys they would’ve had to cut, and the Rays get two BP depth type pieces that pitched better than the ERA.
As a Rays fan, I have learned to be patient re these trades, but it is a weird morning. First John Curtiss, who solidified his role in the stable last year. Now this. Sure, maybe Hernandez is not the catcher of the future, but these guys were DFA! Wait a couple days and they may be available for free. Neither is that impressive. Is this clearing of space because another move is coming? Just weird. But I will be patient. Their FO knows a heckuva lot more than I. And, for the record, any of us on these boards…
Seems to fit Bloom’s plan of increasing overall depth throughout their minor league system.
This is one of the minor deals that is good for both teams. The Rays get some roster depth for the season. The Red Sox get two scratch ticket, A level prospects.
The only good news is at least Bloom is trading for guys he knows. Doesn’t mean they will pan out but at least he got them for a great price.
Doubt it hurts the Rays. If they feel they are deep enough at certain positions you make a move like this for players you think your coaches can turn around.
I would agree with Steve on why this trade probably came to fruition.
That’s what happens with a loaded farm system like the Rays. Have to make some tough decisions. I’ll rely on the Rays FO, although Hernandez could be a decent player offensively at least.
The way I see this deal as sensible derives from us figuring out why the Rays would give up a prospect, catcher Ronaldo Hernandez. The Sox sent DFA Springs, DFA Mazza, and cash while receiving Hernandez and Sogard (BA/steal/no power, INF, low A).
Rays gave up their third catcher and Sogard for one future bullpen hand and cash (sorry Mazza). Springs was one of the first players Bloom signed in Boston, out of the Rangers system. Springs had an elite SwingingStrike% (16.9). And with the right amount of polishing, he could start to eliminate his contact issues. At that point, he becomes a valuable lefty arm with 7th or 8th man potential. The Rays don’t mind giving up their third catcher despite being a prospect because they just got an even better one from the Padres. Their third catcher is now Kevan Smith who is quite capable if Zunino or Mejia get hurt.
The Red Sox didn’t have space for Springs to develop and cash in to help their catcher depth which needed a future since they are going to be potentially trading Vazquez this season. In Sogard, they pick up a future infielder with average and speed.
So in a twist of irony, it was the Rays that bought today.
Why in the world would the Sox consider trading Vazquez? They have no replacement for him in the minors and they have a club option on him for 2022 for $7 million with a $250,000 buyout.
Besides rumors that they have talked to other teams about Vazquez (they have him at a really high price tag). Because he is absolutely gold in a market that is thin to the bones. This doesn’t mean they absolutely trade him. But the strategy isn’t out of Bloom’s realm to bolster a team with little chance of competing. The best argument for keeping him is that they are going to compete in ’22 and ’23 with Sale. But there needs to be more than Chris Sale, the bullpen and rotation are two areas that make projecting a contending team difficult.
He is gonna be 31 and 32 y/o in ’22 and ’23. Those are peak years and he will be under a very good contract. It seems to me like a sell high. Just look at what the Padres gave up for Aaron Nola. It remains to be seen, but I wouldn’t rule out Bloom starting to bolster the catchers to prepare a Vazquez move, even if is a step backward for the Red Sox.
Ah, so there were “cash considerations”…explains a lot. I wonder how many no-names you have to give with “cash considerations” for any other Rays prospect?
These comments are hilarious! There is no such person as “the Rays’ or “the Rays front office. Bloom is as much part of that vaunted brilliance as whoever he made the trade with. Defending the trade by saying “the Rays always make good trades” in a case like this is nuts.
The Sox would have been lucky to get a bag of balls and some Big League Chew for Mazza and Springs, neither of whom had a prayer of playing in Boston this season.
Jack Marshall
Defending the trade by saying “the Rays always make good trades” in a case like this is nuts.
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People aren’t defending the Rays based on their history. They are giving them the benefit of the doubt based on their history.
Exactly what joe said. I doubt think anyone thinks the Rays are immune to making a bad call. No one is but they hit far more often than they miss.
Hunter Renfroe wasn’t a very good RF. Yoshi Tsutsugo was a pretty terrible signing too. But you let things play out because they do pretty damn well.
Tampa has a history of tweaking pitchers and getting something out of them. It wouldn’t surprise me if they see an opportunity here and can cash in on the cheap.
Exactly…… time will tell. The Rays were getting close to Rule 5 time with these guys.
Great trade for Boston. Mazza and Springs are bums.
Good for Chaim. Getting two lotto tickets for two AAAA players is better than nothing
Again, I’m sure the CASH was the major consideration; the Red Sox could have given the Rays Mutt and Jeff with CASH to get a descending prospect and a middle IF with utility guy written all over him.
Still a good deal for the Sox, and probably a needed one for the Rays. No Revenue Sharing this year; a nightmare for a small market team. And both prospects improve the Sox minor league inventory, even if it’s not by much.
The Sox have pretty much conceded this season as a rebuild. No secret there. They will continue the teardown and young talent building as the season progresses. Half the 2018 team is gone. Few players are untouchable. What we don’t know is what is the timeline? When will they sign significant FA’s again? If they miraculously become competitive sooner than later, will they add pieces to get them into the playoffs?
More crap to be dumped at a later date. Bloom may have gotten 2 cents for giving 1 on this “depth trade”. As a BoSox fan it sure doesn’t make me interested to see if they are worth 2 cents in 3-4 years! He needs to get pitching for the now & the future
I hear ya. Problem is, CEO has clearly said they are “building up “. From the bottom up. As fans, we’re going to have to accept their strategy. The cast of AAAA pitchers with ERA’s north of 5.00 are being traded, sold, or spending most of the season in Worcester. Bloom has at least filled the roster with established players. Although not stars, they’re serviceable enough to not be an embarrassment like 2020. I’m looking forward to watching this team progress, they can’t be as bad as last year. With Houck and Pivetta in the rotation and Evoldi and E-Rod healthy, they could surprise. Yes there’s a lot of ifs and questions about this team no doubt. A lot of things have to go right. With a payroll above 200 million, I believe that Bloom has done a good job of assembling a team that will work their tails off. At least, I hope.
That’s my view as well. The biggest improvements, for us to compete, are:
1-A return from JDM. I think Renfroe, Kike and Marwen will do at least okay in replacing what we got last year from JBJ, and the LF & 2B du jour.
2-We blew thru an enormous amount of bad innings last year from AAAA (and worse) pitchers. All of that has been replaced by at least league-average pitchers. Last year, how often were we behind by 2-3 runs early?
I think it’s important to note that the 2 pitchers were obviously DNA’d just as a holding pattern while the trade was finalized. I may not be on his side often, but it’s fair to give Bloom credit for scooping up a lot of low end pitching over the last year, and now that the rest of the teams are starting to understand that their regulars will not be able to go 175-200 innings after only pitching 50 last year, they are looking for more optionable options.
Yup, it’s not much, but we got a bunch of guys last year for almost nothing. We didn’t get top-50 guys, but we got 5-10 guys which at least have a shot.
Its definitely going to be an interesting season to say the least. I for 1 was hopeful that Bloom would of picked up a starter like Walker & some more bullpen help. Walker is now a Met, which I think on paper look to be good. Time will tell how Bloom & some of his crazy ways will pan out…