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Rays Acquire Luke Raley From Dodgers

By Anthony Franco | March 18, 2022 at 5:06pm CDT

The Rays and Dodgers agreed to a deal this afternoon, announcing that corner outfielder Luke Raley has been traded to Tampa Bay. Los Angeles is acquiring pitching prospect Tanner Dodson in return. In order to clear space on the 40-man roster, the Rays placed Yonny Chirinos on the 60-day injured list.

Raley made his major league debut this past season. He didn’t perform well over his first 72 plate appearances, striking out 25 times while drawing just a pair of walks. The 27-year-old has a much better minor league track record, as he’s hit .289/.367/.489 in five minor league campaigns since being drafted in the seventh round in 2016. That includes a .297/.384/.553 showing over 456 plate appearances in Triple-A.

A lack of defensive value has limited Raley’s prospect appeal, but he’s ranked near the back half of the Dodgers’ top 30 farmhands for the past few seasons in the estimation of Baseball America. The outlet credits Raley with big raw power, albeit with some trepidation about an aggressive approach at the plate. Tampa Bay isn’t the only other organization who has tried (and succeeded) in prying Raley away from the Dodgers. The Twins acquired him from Los Angeles at the 2018 trade deadline in exchange for Brian Dozier. Minnesota sent him back to L.A. a year and a half later in the three-team Mookie Betts/Kenta Maeda trade.

Raley is affordable and can step right into the big league mix for Tampa Bay. He still has a minor league option year remaining, so the Rays needn’t carry him on the active roster. Yet he’ll bolster the organizational depth and could see a more immediate path to playing time if Tampa Bay pulls the trigger on an Austin Meadows trade. Recent reports have indicated the Rays are considering shipping Meadows elsewhere.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the Dodgers, who have signed each of Jimmy Nelson, Danny Duffy and Freddie Freeman in recent days. They’ve devoted just one immediate roster spot to that trio — Los Angeles purposefully waited to finalize Freeman’s deals until after signing Duffy and Nelson so they could put both pitchers on the 60-day injured list — but they’ve also agreed to terms with Tyler Anderson. They’ll need to clear another roster spot to accommodate Anderson’s arrival.

In addition, Los Angeles picks up Dodson, whom the Rays selected 71st overall in the 2018 draft. A two-way player at Cal, he continued to work in both capacities early in his professional career. Scouts have long questioned how much offensive upside he’d have due to a lack of raw power, though, and he’s worked primarily off the mound in recent years. He tallied just 30 plate appearances in High-A last season but worked 56 1/3 innings as a reliever.

Between High-A Bowling Green and Double-A Montgomery, Dodson combined for a 3.20 ERA. He struck out a solid 26.3% of opponents against a 9.5% walk rate. The Rays declined to add him to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft (which never ended up taking place) this offseason. He didn’t appear among Baseball America’s top 30 organizational prospects this winter, but Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs wrote in January 2021 that his low-mid 90s fastball and slider could make him a viable big league reliever.

Chirinos, meanwhile, hasn’t pitched since undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2020. The righty fractured his elbow last year, a setback that was always expected to prevent him being ready for Opening Day. Precisely when he might return isn’t clear, but he’ll miss at least the first two months of this season.

Jeff Passan of ESPN first reported the terms of the trade.

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Los Angeles Dodgers Tampa Bay Rays Transactions Luke Raley Tanner Dodson Yonny Chirinos

Astros Outright Jairo Solis
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View Comments (57)

Comments

  1. joseselmer

    2 months ago

    Thank You Friedman

    Reply
    • mlbdodgerfan2015

      2 months ago

      Before you thank Friedman, wait until you see Raley against breaking pitches.

      Reply
      • StPeteStingRays

        2 months ago

        Maybe he was thanking Friedman bc he’s seen him against breaking pitches?

        Reply
        • mlbdodgerfan2015

          2 months ago

          Big, physically strong hitter. If you leave the fastball over the middle of the plate he’ll rip it, as seen on clip #4 below. He struggled with the breaking pitches as seen in the first three clips.

          https://www.mlb.com/video/luke-raley-strikes-out-swinging-8eji0d

          https://www.mlb.com/video/luke-raley-strikes-out-swinging-aapybe

          https://www.mlb.com/video/luke-raley-strikes-out-swinging-catcher-luis-campusano-to-first-baseman-eric-hosmer

          https://www.mlb.com/video/luke-raley-s-472-foot-home-run

    • vtadave

      2 months ago

      Thank you for….Luke Raley? LOL

      Reply
  2. Hello, Newman

    2 months ago

    So hard to criticize Neander.. but, what in the world

    Reply
  3. Captain Judge99

    2 months ago

    No worries Raley we’ll be in Tampa Bay/Montreal for 2 weeks tops.

    Reply
    • SCarton12

      2 months ago

      Gosh envy is sooooo ugly.

      Reply
    • StPeteStingRays

      2 months ago

      Be sure to do your English homework, kid.

      Reply
      • Captain Judge99

        2 months ago

        @StPeteStingRays- I can count all those Yankee rings. That’s all that matters. Keep being delusional thinking that your Sting Rays can win a championship, with their $48 million dollar payroll. Time for this franchise to grow up, move, and start spending more $ for their loser fans.

        Reply
        • bucsfan0004

          2 months ago

          How did it feel as a 4th grader to see the Yankees defeat the Phillies in 2008? Did you feel superior to your classmates for attaching yourself to a winner?

        • Captain Judge99

          2 months ago

          @bucsfan0004- that was 2008? Do you’re homework fool! Lol!

    • Mrsuntan

      2 months ago

      Do the Rays rent or own space in your head? I only ask because any time there is Rays story you are all over it. You sound like a high school loser who gets dumped by his girlfriend( not that you have ever had one) and then follows her facebook page and makes non stop insults. You should spend your time on a Yankee site trying to figure out why 250 million cant buy a championship, or even a division title anymore

      Reply
      • Captain Judge99

        2 months ago

        @Mrsuntan- It must be nice to win the AL East for the last 3 years and always come up short, like yourself. Better get used to it. What’s the Sting Rays payroll now $48 million? Whew!

        Reply
        • Mrsuntan

          2 months ago

          Thank you for posting again as you continue to prove my point. And when you try to insult the rays by pointing out their 48 million payroll you are actually complimenting them and insulting the 248 million yankees…a smarter person would understand that. But again thanks for proving my point and tell the Yankees thanks for sending us THEIR money to help beat them

        • StPeteStingRays

          2 months ago

          The Rays definitely have a lifetime lease in the smooth, gray part.

        • Captain Judge99

          2 months ago

          @Mrsuntan-lol.Again, how many championships do the Rays have taking the Yankees money? ZERO… Sounds like it’s really working out for you’re favorite team?

        • Samuel

          2 months ago

          @ Captain Judge99;

          Wow! Heck of a rebuttal!!!

          Rays went to the WS 2 years ago with a payroll 1/2 of da Yankees.

          But da Yankees did go to a WS although they had to spend more than triple the Rays payroll. Of course, that was 12 years ago…but who’s counting?

          P.S. And you kids thought other teams would jump through hoops for Voit. LOL What’s even funnier – they had to trade him because their payroll is out of control. Again. One reason the payroll is out of control is that they signed yet another old, deteriorating 1B to replace Voit at 3 times the salary.

          A fanbase as sharp as the owner and FO.

        • Mrsuntan

          2 months ago

          Once again captain, thanks for posting. hopefully being a weekend your mom will let you stay up late to continue proving the point

        • Captain Judge99

          2 months ago

          @Mrsuntan- nice nickname for you. Did your Mommy come up with that one? Or did you do it all by yourself? The point was already made. Now you can go to bed. Make sure you’re Mommy tucks you in. Lol

    • ajrodz1335

      2 months ago

      Nah, he’ll be playing like 20 games in the Trop north, I mean Yankee Stadium

      Reply
      • Captain Judge99

        2 months ago

        @ajrodz1335- It’s nice for you to bring up Yankee Stadium, but it’s disgusting for you to put it in the same sentence as the Trop.

        Reply
        • Samuel

          2 months ago

          Da Yankees are MLB’s answer to the NFL’s Cowboys.

          Media glamour teams that spend a lot of money, get a lot of glamour players and an outrageous amount of attention from the national sports media each season. Fans that know nothing about the sport think these two are flagship teams.

          Both teams fans live in the past.

    • Winslow Leach

      2 months ago

      Montreal? That ship has sailed. Did u get the memo?

      Reply
      • Captain Judge99

        2 months ago

        @Winslow Leach- it too bad they’re not moving out of Tampa Bay, maybe they could win a championship in Montreal?

        Reply
        • Winslow Leach

          2 months ago

          Captain-there’s nowhere to play in Montreal. The stadium there is in disrepair .

        • Captain Judge99

          2 months ago

          @Winslow Leach- I really think if the Rays moved their payroll would increase and their attendance would go up, and they would even be better then they are now.

  4. fljay73

    2 months ago

    That concept has been DOA for months

    Reply
    • Bauer? But I Hardly Know Her!

      2 months ago

      Better than DOA limbo.

      Reply
  5. Tom the ray fan

    2 months ago

    A Deal with either kiermaier and Meadows must be in the works

    Reply
    • dmaciel

      2 months ago

      Would not be surprised if Meadows is dealt to the Padres

      Reply
      • Mrsuntan

        2 months ago

        Thats 7 outfielders at least 2 are going. Neander is working on something, he has earned our trust

        Reply
    • Sideline Redwine

      2 months ago

      Raley is not replacing either of those two–he won’t even crack the opening-day roster. The reason one or both will be traded is because of depth at the major league level–Raley will be in aaa. Not a big move at all, for either team.

      Reply
    • vtadave

      2 months ago

      Pretty sure trading for Luke Raley has nothing to do with Keirmaier or Meadows being dealt.

      Reply
  6. Tom the ray fan

    2 months ago

    Or*

    Reply
  7. fox471 Dave

    2 months ago

    Anthony,
    Sorry to use this forum but I had a heck of a time getting a question answered today, at your Friday chat. Hit the click here button and had my question erased three times. Went into the chat and put the question back in and site said it was being moderated for content. Then, 10-15 minutes later the site said chat is over. Is there a new system?
    Fox 2

    Reply
  8. bkwalker510

    2 months ago

    he’ll hit .270/.360/.490 with 25 bombs for TB probably

    Reply
  9. Kewldood69

    2 months ago

    Rales was awful for the Dodgers.

    Reply
    • Curly Was The Smart Stooge

      2 months ago

      First off, his name is Raley, not Rales. Considering he had 72 PA, had 2 hrs who is to say he’s not worthy? Give TB a chance. One teams garbage is another’s gold

      Reply
      • leftykoufax

        2 months ago

        I am pretty sure Raley’s parents don’t think he is garbage. Now Putin, he is garbage.

        Reply
        • Curly Was The Smart Stooge

          2 months ago

          He’s gold, Are you speaking on behalf of his parents? I was the one who spelled his name correctly Now you’re the one who can interpret my message?

  10. Milwaukee-2208

    2 months ago

    Doesn’t matter how bad he is. If he’s going to TB, he’s going to be in the MVP race

    Reply
  11. Steinbrenner2728

    2 months ago

    After all the signings, it’s a bit of a refreshing sight to see the Dodgers finally giving some of their players away this offseason….

    Reply
  12. BlueSkies_LA

    2 months ago

    Strangely enough, Dodson has actually played more CF than he has pitched.

    Reply
  13. StPeteStingRays

    2 months ago

    Another lefty? Hmmmm, probably more to come

    Reply
  14. leftcoaster

    2 months ago

    Dodson has put up some good pitching numbers.

    Reply
  15. MarlinsFanHere

    2 months ago

    The Dodgers must of liked Raley at sometime. They drafted him, traded him, and re acquired him. And now traded Raley again.

    Reply
  16. bobtillman

    2 months ago

    Pete Bendix is the Rays GM now, tho I’m sure POBO Neander guides his direction.

    Reply
  17. leftykoufax

    2 months ago

    With only 72 PA as a dodger last year that’s a small sample, I wish him luck in TB.

    Reply
  18. nando390

    2 months ago

    Now package a deal of lux, this random guy from the rays, gonsolin, prospect for montas or bieber

    Reply
    • leftcoaster

      2 months ago

      You’ve lost your mind.

      Reply
      • nando390

        2 months ago

        Yes I have

        Reply
  19. NativeAmerican

    2 months ago

    Why trade for Raley when Josh Lowe is ready?

    Reply
    • Samuel

      2 months ago

      To do Friedman a small favor – for which they’ll get one returned in the future.

      The Dodgers had a roster crunch with all their additions.

      Reply
    • StPeteStingRays

      2 months ago

      Raley is depth and or trade filler. Nothing to do with JLowe whatsoever.

      Reply
    • kc38

      2 months ago

      Because good teams have depth

      Reply
  20. bobtillman

    2 months ago

    LA probably included 10 Happy Meal coupons, and Rays owner Stewie couldn’t resist.

    Reply

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