The Rays have acquired reliever Shawn Armstrong from the Orioles, for cash considerations, according to Baltimore. Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com was first with the news.
Armstrong, a 30-year-old righty, was thought to be a saves candidate for the Orioles back in March. However, he started his season with trips to the paternity and COVID-19 list. After that Armstrong struggled mightily, with an 8.55 ERA in 20 innings – including five home runs allowed. By June Armstrong was designated for assignment by Baltimore, clearing waivers and joining Triple-A Norfolk. Armstrong spoke to Kubatko about his tumultuous start to the season, a good reminder of the human side of the game. Things went better for Armstrong in his 17 innings there, as he posted a 3.18 ERA with a 26.6% strikeout rate and 7.6% walk rate.
The Rays would need to add Armstrong to their 40-man roster to deploy him in their big league bullpen, which has endured significant turnover this year. Pete Fairbanks has seen the highest-leverage work this month, but he just hit the IL yesterday for shoulder inflammation. Collin McHugh went on the IL recently as well. Also yesterday, Diego Castillo was sent to the Mariners, with JT Chargois joining the Rays. Matt Wisler, acquired in June, has played a prominent role this month. And Drew Rasmussen and J.P. Feyereisen were acquired from the Brewers back in the May Willy Adames deal. Nick Anderson, one of the club’s top relievers from last year, is currently on a minor league rehab assignment.
If the Rays do put Armstrong on their 40-man roster, they’ll retain control of him as an arbitration eligible player, since he entered the season with just over three years of MLB service time.
Nice
I don’t know how the Rays bullpen will perform if they make the playoff after trading their closer Diego Castillo. Although, the Rays uses more than a closer, but still. The Rays always think about the future even if they are winning.
Chargois, part of the return in the trade, is pretty much Castillo. And, we get a lottery-ticket prospect.
I’m warming up to the exchange.
On paper, the super team Dodgers looks like that they are going get deep in the playoff and the way to beat them is by pitching and pitching. Their lineup is going to be scary and let’s not even mention their starting rotation. I’m the Braves and Cardinals I’m selling right now. The Braves can acquire some good prospects for Morton, probably Will Smith and Joc Peterson. The Cardinals could trade Kim, Gant and maybe Andrew Miller. The Phillies could give a try and try to win the division. The super team is probably not done adding.
Phillies are a .500 team. They don’t go anywhere without major pitching upgrades.
Rays get ready for Kimblow and Hendricks from the Cubs.
NO HE WAS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FUTURE OMG
TEAR IT ALL DOWN
Are the Rays trying to lose? This guy is one of the worst pitchers in the majors this season.
Don’t like this trade
Is Hosmer included in this trade?
When the Rays call about your relief pitcher, be worried…. you’re about to get fleeced
Somehow, the Rays consistently make excellent decisions. There like the anti-Phillies. This guy won’t give up a run the rest of the season.
In this particular case I believe O’s management can rest easy. Armstrong was dreadful this season. The fact the Rays were willing to pay anything to take him actually makes me wonder what they’re thinking.
ah yes. the old get a journeyman pitcher with an 8 something ERA to tampa bay and watch him suddenly flourish beyond anyone’s expectations
Aaron Loup on line one ☝️
Check mate Red Sox
… one more junk …
The cash involved will be used to buy a ham sandwich.
A cheap ham sandwich.
Yangtze-River-Valley-boiled-ham kinda cheap?
I watch my share of O’s baseball. This guy really, REALLY stinks. But, as we all say, they must see something. Otherwise, the cash would have to be going in the other direction!
Not exactly the trade I was hoping for. No way it ends there today. Stay tuned!
No one is more surprised about this trade than Shawn Armstrong.No one.
is Mancini included
Guess that closes the door on kimbrel and Bryant
This is a Mets move from the Wilpon era.
The Rays really do make some weird ass moves. Like, why anyone would be after this guy i have no idea.
Which only means that the rays will turn him in to the ALCS MVP somehow
Why?
When the rays make a move like this, the entire baseball world starts to panic wondering what they missed in a guy like this lol
There are two outcomes here:
1) DFA in a couple days
2) 2021 World Series MVP
Obviously one is more likely than the other
GO RAYS!!!
*Please remove sarcasm font filters*
Cash considerations = about tree fiddy. Watch this guy be terrific with the Rays.
Durham needs relievers, too.
BOOM! Take that Yankees & Red Sox…
Now to get Scott Kazmir to really fortify our bullpen.
Man. The Phillies are missing out on the lower tier additions too. I’m hoping this post doesn’t age well and the Phillies make a splash either with additions or a rebuild, but all seems quiet and I’m terrified that I’ll suffer a 10th straight season of mediocrity.
I’m still bitter about 2008, so Im kinda sorry
I don’t know him but I here he has a Strong Arm
All the ones hating should realize they gave up little to make this happen. At first sight, it looks like a AAAA pitcher, as Armstrong has been successful in every stint in the Minors but has been so-so in the Majors. Career 4.00-something FIP isn’t great but not terrible and he has a pretty good k-rate mixed in with a few bad years and a few good years. It’s possible the Rays have more info than this. I have learned not to doubt them.
The Rays need some pitching…dealt away our most consistent starter and our closer, and we get this and Chargois in return? Are they really trying to win? Yes, Chargois has some nice numbers this year, but look at his career–not exactly someone to be scared of. And after losing Fairbanks, our other option at closer, we still trade Castillo?
Cruz was fine, but if they don’t pick up some serious pitching, this deadline is a failure. A rotation or Wacha, Patino, Yarb, and Fleming is not going to get it done. Sorry. Just being realistic.
Ya, they gotta make another move (Berrios?). Everybody is kind of ignoring it, but the Yanks got TONS better….on the field, off the field, in the clubhouse, with the gloves. Oh, and they got those LH bats they need. Again, few are talking, but to me they’re the AL team that’s won the day (so far anyway @ 12:30 PM). And yes, the Yanks still need pitching; who doesn’t?
The Rays have succeeded a lot because the rest of the division just isn’t what it used to be; warts all over the place. Same with the Red Sox. Throw the Sox, Rays and Yanks in separate vats, you wind up with the same total stew. Maybe even the Jays, depending on what happens today.
Ooops, Jays just got Berrios.
I didn’t even know he was still in the organization
I will give benifit of doubt to front office, i have had to eat my words to many times. But i will be angry if another mid to large deal is not made
Rays suck