*Photo from Reuters*
Flashy trades are all the rage at the deadline. The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired RHP Aaron Civale from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for 1B Kyle Manzardo, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Both teams have confirmed the news.
The Rays pick up another cost controllable arm in Civale, who is making $2.6 million this season and has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining. He's expected to make his Rays debut on Saturday. He features 6 pitches, including a curveball that ranks in the top 10 in spin in the majors.
Tampa Bay president of baseball operations Erik Neander said of Civale that "He’s been a really good pitcher, plain and simple, that we have the opportunity to add for a few years here. I don't think it's all that complicated. He's been really effective. We needed an effective starter and get a chance to have one for a few years."
Civale is in the midst of a career year in the Guardians rotation this season. He is sporting a 3.55 FIP, 1.039 WHIP, and 2.34 ERA, averaging 2.6 walks per 9 innings and 0.6 home runs per 9 over 77 innings pitched and 13 starts.
So far this season, the Rays rotation has been decimated with injuries. Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen are both out for the season, Josh Fleming has been out since May, and both Shane McClanahan and Zach Eflin have made trips to the IL this season.
Civale has played in 5 seasons in the majors, all coming in a Guardians uniform. Since debuting in 2019, he has a 3.77 ERA, 1.144 WHP, and 4.05 FIP, averaging 2.2 walks per 9 and 1.2 home runs per 9, throwing 430 innings over 76 starts. In the playoffs, Civale has allowed 3 runs in just 1/3 of an inning, coming in the 2022 postseason.
The return the Guardians are getting is Manzardo, ranked the 4th best Rays prospect and 37th overall in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. He is currently on the minor league 7 Day IL with a shoulder injury.
Chosen in the second round in 2021 by the Rays, Manzardo is enjoying a solid season. With Triple A Durham, Manzardo has a .238/.342/.442 slash line, hitting 11 home runs with 38 RBI's and 19 doubles in 73 games.
The Rays rotation currently consists of McClanahan, Eflin, Tyler Glasnow, Zack Littell, and Civale following the trade. Manzardo will likely head to Triple A Columbus in the Guardians system, with a possibility of a call up in September when rosters expand.
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