2:03pm: The Rays have made it official, announcing that they have traded Cardenas to the Phillies for cash considerations.
12:56pm: The Phillies have acquired minor league corner outfielder Ruben Cardenas from the Rays, reports Kiley McDaniel of ESPN on X. Cardenas wasn’t on Tampa’s 40-man roster and therefore won’t require a roster spot with Philadelphia. It’s not known what the Rays will receive in return but small trades involving minor leaguers often involve cash considerations going the other way.
Cardenas, 26, was a sixth-round selection of Cleveland in 2018 but went to the Rays a year later. Prior to the 2019 deadline, he was traded to Tampa along with international bonus pool space, as Hunter Wood and Christian Arroyo went the other way.
He’s been climbing the minor league ladder since then, generally providing a bit of power but also striking out a fair bit. He split 2021 between High-A and Double-A, hitting 25 home runs in 441 plate appearances but also striking out 26.1% of the time and only walking at a 5.4% clip.
He got to Triple-A in 2022, getting into 82 games at that level. He hit 16 home runs and improved his walk rate to 10.1% but was also punched out 29.2% of the time and slashed .208/.289/.440 for wRC+ of 89. Returning to Triple-A last year resulted in slight improvements: 22 home runs in 132 games, an 11.3% walk rate, 26.4% strikeout rate, .269/.358/.475 batting line and 108 wRC+.
Back at Triple-A in 2024, he has lowered his strikeout rate to 21% but has only walked 5.9% of the time. The power is still present, as he has 11 home runs in just 49 games this year, leading to a .281/.346/.530 line and 121 wRC+. Cardenas has never been a highly-touted prospect but did get an honorable mention from FanGraphs on their lists of Rays prospects in 2022 and 2023.
The Phillies recently lost outfielder Brandon Marsh and infielder/outfielder Kody Clemens to the injured list, subtracting their position player depth a bit. That’s prompted them to call up the oft-injured David Dahl to play alongside a struggling Nick Castellanos and their glove-first center fielder Johan Rojas. They’ve also given some brief outfield playing time to Cristian Pache and Whit Merrifield, who aren’t hitting much this year.
Though the Phillies are tied with the Yankees for the best record in baseball, the outfield is a relative weak part of the roster and Cardenas will give them a bit of extra depth there without taking up a roster spot. The Rays, however, have an outfield mix consisting of Randy Arozarena, Josh Lowe, Richie Palacios, Jose Siri, Jonny DeLuca and Harold Ramírez. Also, infielder Taylor Walls has begun a rehab assignment and could rejoin the club soon, which could push Amed Rosario from the dirt to the grass/turf. Cardenas would have been challenged to find playing time in Tampa so they have sent him to Philly instead for what is likely a bit of cash.
I’ll take it.
Anyone else think a Rueben and Philly cheesesteak combo is a good idea?
No, Philly Cheesesteaks are disgusting.
Why would anyone put cheez whiz on steak. Gross.
Hilarious
@KyleeT,
So, get it with provolone. Problem solved.
Or American or double meat all flats with fried onions.
That’s why you need go down the shore for the best subs in the world. Sacko Subs, White House, Gino’s.
I’m out on Genos though buddy. Too touristy
I’m a native Philadelphian and you must not have had a great cheesesteak ever. 609 is right those spots are really good. So is Avenue Steaks, Oregon Steaks, Phil’s, Russos in wildwood and Dellasandros in Drexel Hill. You can put any cheese you want not just Wiz and fried onions are my go to.
A dude named Kyle T would be opposed to cheesesteaks. George Carlin was right about Kyle’s.
It’s actually better than you think!
Without
Yeah cheese whiz on steak does sound disgusting.
Cheddar cheese sauce on fresh shaved steak with fried onions on a fresh hoagie roll? Classy it is not, but disgusting? Say you haven’t tried an authentic Philly cheesesteak without saying you’ve never tried an authentic Philly cheesesteak.
And for the record, Steve’s is second to none.
@MannyBeingMVP,
No, but I would highly recommend a hot roast pork with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe on an Amoroso’s roll. Try DiNic’s at the Reading Terminal Market.
My man knows what’s good! Yo cuz I also like Nick’s roast beef at 20th and Jackson.
John’s roast pork is the best spot in Philly.
I don’t generally like to root for other teams’ misfortunes, but I will and let’s hope the Astros continue to falter and we can get Tucker.
Dumbrowski failed to address 2 holes in the off-season. Power hitting outfielder preference right handed. Lock Down closer. Both will come back to bite our philles unless Dumbrowski addresses at or before deadline.
You must not watch the Phillies if you think the BP is an issue.
Dark Side is correct, if you don’t know the bullpen, you aren’t watching the Phillies. This might be a year where a team goes the distance without a formal closer bc Hoffman, Alvarado, strahm and when given the opportunity kirkiring have been all star level. As far as a bat, the Phils could use one but I can see Turner going to the OF when he returns. And when Clemens is healthy he’s a good bench bat. If Dahl continues to hit well, I’d give him a few days in right against righty opposing pitchers and work to get castellanos more abs against lefties just to get him back on a positive note.
Clemens reminds me of Gregg Dobbs and Dahl reminds me of Ross Gload. When the Phillies had those two guys in their 07-11 runs they were strong bench pieces that contributed to the team’s success and kept the starters fresh.
It’s classless to call Dombrowski “Dumbrowski” especially since he’s a first ballot HOF GM/President of baseball operations & has taken more teams to the World Series in the history of the game! He won in Florida & Boston, Phillies & Tigers both appreciate him more than you realize. You want to be critical of a HOF guy, take your best shot but show him the respect he has earned it!
It’s a good low-risk move for both teams. Cardenas was on his third tour with Durham which is having an uncharacteristically middling year. Tristan Peters is younger and in his first year at Durham and had probably passed Cardenas in the Rays’ pecking order, and the Rays had just promoted Heriberto Hernandez from AA to play LF.
Always liked Ruben. Hope he has a ton of success with his new club.
How about Johan Rojas, Mick Abel, William Bergolla, Samuel Aldegheri and we throw in Darrick Hall & Simon Mizzuiotti for Mason Miller & J.J. Bleday. That move put them over the top. Orioles just lost two SP’s to surgery. Taijuan Walker for Austin Hays straight up? Hays is their 4th or 5th OF’er – Philly kinda guy, hustles, max effort in the OF. Would give the Phillies more money to play with too.
That’s a lot to give up. Phillies are in the drivers seat right now. You could get Bauer for nothing and throw him in the pen. Walker and Pache are in my opinion are odd men out on this roster. And what can you get for them? Maybe a Tommy Pham type bat? Maybe an Eddie Rosario bat that comes with playoff experience? Either way, the major concern for adding anyone to this team is chemistry at this time. I’d be more apt to add a guy like McCutchen or a Justin Turner type vet that would probably fit better cost less and be part of winning a chip before they retire. Think Matt Stairs when the Phillies got him in 2008 and Joe Blanton. Under the radar, productive and they fit in the clubhouse.
There’s a cost with Bauer. You may not see it or agree with it, but that cost is high enough that no team wants anything to do with him.
This could be the best Phillies team ever assembled (at least on paper or electronic media) according to some commentators and Phillies ports Media.
The Phillies have to win at least 1 World Series Title to be in that discussion, in my opinion.
Dave Dombrowski has loaded this team and roster and is still trying to make it even better.
I wonder if Dave Dombrowski signs Matthew Boyd who is a year off surgery and ramping up for a comeback this year.
Dombrowski knows these players since he drafted and traded for them in Detroit
( He drafted Spencer Turnbull and signed him cheaply as Turnbull was recovering from injuries and surgery)
Dombrowski traded for Boyd from the Blue Jays to the Tigers.
Boyd would come cheap as he is one year away from surgery and ramping up to pitch again.
Could see lefty Boyd do some spot starts and also be very helpful in the Phillies bullpen.
And, Dombrowski would not have to give up players to get him.
And Turnbull and Boyd give the Phillies rotation flexibility for ’25 and beyond in case the Phillies lose a starter to injury or free agency.
Dombrowski and the Phillies have the edge and inside track on these kinds of deals because of Dombrowski’s stellar reputation as a winner
everywhere he goes.
Dombrowski gives many of these players their best shot at winning a World Series Title based on his past track record.
Boyd can start, work long or short relief or even close games because he is a strikeout pitcher with devastating slider and live fastball,
And. Dombrowski’s has a successful. long term relationship with Boyd .
He traded for Boyd from the Blue Jays in the David Price deal.