The Rays announced that they acquired Drew Sutton from the Pirates for a player to be named. The infielder's stay in Pittsburgh was a short one; the Pirates acquired him from the Braves for cash considerations less than 24 hours ago. The Rays expect Sutton to join them tonight, at which point they'll make a corresponding move.
Sutton has a .258/.322/.403 batting line line in 178 MLB plate appearances with the Reds, Red Sox and Indians. The 28-year-old has MLB experience at all four infield positions and both corner outfield positions. He signed a minor league deal with Atlanta this past offseason and played 38 games for Triple-A Gwinnett before yesterday's trade.
The switch-hitting Sutton will provide Rays manager Joe Maddon with infield depth while Evan Longoria and Brandon Allen recover from their respective leg injuries. Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune first tweeted the news.
domaug
i’m so confused… why can’t the Pirates just look for a real hitter?
Smrtbusnisman04
Because no hitter wants to play in Pittsburgh unless they’re grossly overpaid!!!
Monkey’s Uncle
Thanks for the memories Drew, us Pirate fans will always treasure what you brought to the ballpark each day, all 1 of them.
MB923
They have to retire his number very soon
Ian_Smell
Never forget.
jb1996
wow i dont see a point to this trade. Why acquire him if your just going to trade him the next day?
domaug
especially for a PTBNL… might as well have cut the middle man out
A_Patrick_Tactic
Because the Rays said they would give them a player if they get him from the Braves…THINK.
Jeff 31
Why didn’t they tell the Braves this then?
Daniel Sawl
Kristy Robinson, beat reporter for PiratesProspects.com said Rays want him as ML player, and the Pirates had him solely for AAA depth.
Braves1976
Good move by the Rays, I liked Sutton but the Braves didn’t give him a shot. Oh well.
senior52
This move sends shockwaves through the AL East.
Frosted Lemonade
PTBNL because the Pirates are deciding which player to take: Zobrist, Hellickson, or Price.
drjayphd
And thus, the Rays dynasty moves into Phase 2: acquiring ALL the forgettable Red Sox castoffs. (Darnell McDonald, you’re next.)
geauxbraves2000
I’m looking forward to hearing/reading a story about this strange move.
$6101468
Sutton did a nice job in his Boston stay. Guy is obviously not a regular but is versatile and won’t kill you for a few games. Last season I remember him in Houston signing autographs for Sox fans just before the game began. Nice touch. Wish him well.
DempseyK
Very confused about this move…the Rays list the transaction as “Drew Sutton acquired for cash” I hope this isn’t just a cash deal. I hope we have something coming back that we can at least take a look at in the bigs. Perhaps even a Brandon Allen?
Jack Miller
Jose Molina c’mon
1B Garrett Jones 1. Bedard
2B Neil Walker 2. Burnett
3B Casey McGehee 3. McDonald
SS Clint Barmes 4. Morton
C Jose Molina 5. Karstens
LF Alex Presley
CF Andrew McCuthchen Closer: Hanrahan
RF Jose Tabata
Not bad for bottom feeders
ericc123
Umm, Presley isn’t on the major league roster right now and appears to be in the dog house and Barajas is actually starting to hit.
Jeff Weissbuch
What about Pedro Alvaverz
Jack Miller
Alverez would be in there it’s just I forgot about him I’d switch McGehee to first Jones to right and and Tabata in left also I just checked Barajas is better than Molina career and now
Mark P
Dejan Kovacevic from the Pittsburgh Trip reported “that it was done to give Sutton a chance in the majors.”