Nelson Cruz is the newest member of the Tampa Bay Rays. This offseason Tampa was among the final suitors in contention to land his services.
Minnesota ended up bring back the 40-year-old and he’s
picked up right where he left off. Unfortunately for the Twins, their season
has gone as anything but expected, and they find themselves as a clear seller.
The best designated hitter in the American League stays in that role and gives
Tampa another thumper in the middle of their lineup.
Given Cruz’s advanced age and contract status, it was hard
to fathom much of a return. Minnesota instead included Calvin Faucher as a
throw in prospect and landed Joe Ryan and Drew Strotman, Tampa’s 10th
and 17th best prospects per MLB pipeline. Both may be relievers, and
are already past their 24th birthdays, but they have high velocity
stuff and already are at Triple-A.
For an organization needing arm talent as both starters and
in the bullpen, this is a real solid get for a guy that wasn’t going to be
around in a couple of months. Ryan will need to be added to the 40 man this
winter, with Strotman already holding down a spot. Cruz leaves as a fan favorite,
one of the most productive players in history, and having done so as a leading
member of a record setting homer club.
Here’s some instant analysis from industry experts:
Joe Ryan is a top 8 type pitching prospect and Drew Stotman is a top 25 type pitching prospect. Faucher is a an organizational type non-prospect. https://t.co/vzm2kFu0et
— Jim Bowden⭐️ (@JimBowdenGM) July 22, 2021
Strotman was added to the 40-man in Dec, has thrown 58.1 IP in AAA. Ryan would need to be added to the 40 this Dec. Both have a shot to be back end SP or multi inn RP by 2022.
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) July 22, 2021
Faucher is a power reliever with big stuff and command issues, 25 years old in Double-A: solid throw-in https://t.co/5VyWrT7GLW
Joe Ryan is an interesting get for the Twins. Has amazing minor league strikeout and walk totals, and an invisiball fastball (elbow forward so ball pops into release, high ride, jumps at hitters) but secondaries are a question mark and he might still be a reliever.
— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) July 22, 2021
Snap verdict on the Nelson Cruz trade: The Rays get the single best bat on the market and someone with an A+ clubhouse reputation. But the Twins did very well, too, in getting Joe Ryan and Drew Strotman, two hard-throwing right-handers who are close to big-league-ready.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 22, 2021
