The Cardinals have traded right-hander Chris Roycroft to the Rays in exchange for a player to be named later or cash, per announcements from both clubs. St. Louis had designated Roycroft for assignment a few days back. Tampa Bay announced that catcher Dom Keegan has been designated for assignment to open a spot on the 40-man roster and that Roycroft has been optioned to Triple-A Durham for now.
Roycroft, 29, has pitched in each of the past three seasons with the Cards. He was serviceable in 34 1/3 innings as a 27-year-old rookie back in 2024: 4.19 ERA, 21.3% strikeout rate, 11% walk rate, 53.5% ground-ball rate. However, Roycroft has pitched 26 MLB frames since and served up 27 earned runs on 39 hits with more walks (20) than strikeouts (19).
Roycroft has typically missed bats at solid levels and generated huge ground-ball rates in the upper minors, but he’s taken a step back in 2026. Through 24 2/3 innings in Memphis, he’s been tagged for an ugly 5.84 ERA with just a 16.8% strikeout rate. Roycroft’s 7.1% walk rate is sharp, and his 58.5% grounder rate in Triple-A is outstanding, but he’s allowing far more contact than usual — particularly within the strike zone.
The Rays are acquiring Roycroft in his final minor league option year. They’ll be able to shuffle him between Durham and St. Petersburg for the remainder of the season, but if he sticks on the 40-man roster for the rest of the year and into spring training 2027, he’ll need to make the club or else be designated for assignment.
Remember that time when the Rays traded away Cristopher Sanchez for Curtis Mead? Sanchez is now an Ace and Cy Young Contender, and Mead just hit his 12th home run of the year with the Nationals.
When you make as many deals as the Rays do you are bound to have a few clunkers. Just the cost of being a high activity franchise. You are eventually going to miss
Right you are, it was only a matter of time. Pretty big miss, but amongst many successful trades (Rasmussen comes to mind).
I remember that time they traded Chris Archer to the Pirates
Glass-now turned into a decent haul from the Dodgers, and Baz somehow netted 5 potentials from Baltimore.
As for Meadows, dude just disappeared off the face of the Earth after 2021.
Meadows delt with alot. Tendinitis in the Achilles sounds fun. Got it in the forearm. Its sad to see a gifted player just tank due to health and mental health. Watched that with Rick Ankiel. So gifted, and talented, just flawed. To see him make it as a fielder was crazy, Scott Boras did him right
I once saw Ankiel throw a perfect strike from Center Field back in 2012. Absolute cannon.
I dunno. Ras is great, but Adames raked for Milwaukee.
Yes, watched him gun down 2 seperate runners in Colorado from the track or outfield wall. Couldn’t throw a pitch to save his life anymore but could dot it from 300 feet away. One of the more perplexing stories that was absolutely miraculous.
Fwiw, Adames did say he had a hard time seeing the ball at the Trop. There might be more to it than just that, but I’m sure it helped getting him to a different home park.
Joe Ryan for Nelson Cruz.
Cruz wasn’t good for the Rays but still had some production. Joe Ryan on the other hand was an absolute win for Minnesota.
Remember when they traded Randy Winn for Lou Piniella?
Roycroft had a long winding path to the majors, i hope he rights himself because it’s great to see players like him succeed.
With the Rays he has a pretty good chance too. They do this with players.
Big strong guy who throws hard. Has one put away pitch. I forget if it was sinker slider maybe change up. Always like many has problems locating his pitches
A little surprised that Keegan was DFA, but he has been very poor hitting this year while repeating AA. If someone claims him, they can always bring Kenny Piper back from AA to back up Tatem Levins.
Keegan is in Durham, right? I thought he was #3 on the team’s catcher depth chart.
Yeah, he’s in Durham. Nobody is going to claim him, so he will just get outrighted for the first time.
As a lifetime Cardinal fan I’m not surprised. Roycroft has struggled mightily and there are just too many arms in the line behind him. I wish him nothing but the best… But Tampa Bay guys don’t get too excited yet.
Good luck, Chris
What do the Rays possibly see in Roycroft?
Pooser should be embarrassed he was traded for this guy.
Win for Cardinals.