The Rays have acquired outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker from the Diamondbacks in exchange for cash, the teams announced. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, Tampa Bay has transferred right-hander Jose De Leon to the 60-day disabled list.
Hazelbaker, whom the D-backs designated for assignment late last week, will head to Triple-A Durham. De Leon underwent Tommy John surgery during Spring Training, so he’ll be out for the entirety of the 2018 season.
The 30-year-old Hazelbaker will give the Rays some depth across the board in the outfield, as he’s plenty experienced in center and in both outfield corners. The left-handed-hitting Hazelbaker was the talk of MLB two years ago when he broke camp with the Cardinals and posted an absurd .317/.357/.683 slash in the month of April. However, he cooled off considerably over the remainder of the season and was ultimately waived by St. Louis and claimed by Arizona.
Last year with the D-backs, Hazelbaker logged 61 plate appearances and again posted some eye-popping numbers, hitting .346/.443/.577 with two doubles, two homers and two triples. In all, Hazelbaker is a .258/.327/.500 hitter in in 285 MLB plate appearances, and he owns a .277/.336/.452 slash in parts of seven Triple-A seasons.
matthew102402
Surprised Tampa Bay did this. Seems like he’d cost too much.
pug1419
I remember when you couldn’t talk to a Cardinals fan without them anointing this guy “better than Bryant”.
c1234
What? I’ve never heard of that…
Michael Chaney
I’m assuming that guy is a Cubs fan or something because I’ve never heard that either
cards81
Fake news…Hazelbaker wasn’t even on the Cardinals for that long
3Rivers
Enough with the fake news garbage, smh
diddlez
I would wager that you have never heard anybody make that comment.
jleve618
I don’t know, it sounds like the kind of thing I would read here.
EndinStealth
Go back to sleep.
ThatBallwasBryzzoed
Whi the hell said that. Even though I’m a Cubs fan.. I know there’s only one 3rd baseman better than kris bryant. Josh Donaldson is good but he’s not better than Bryant.
twinswin 2
Nolan Arenado?
Burgeezy
This seems like a Jerry dipoto move, surprised the rays got to him first.
imindless
Seems like that de leon for forsythe deal worked out poorly for both sides…
Kenleyfornia74
I’ll take a major league player who had some huge postseason hits over De Leon any day
jbigz12
Rays wouldn’t have been able to pay forsythe…
Bleu
We still have De Leon until 2024. The injuries suck, but he can still be a big contributor. That trade can’t be judged for a few more years.
jdgoat
Look out AL east
66TheNumberOfTheBest
Still unclear why they gave away Corey Dickerson, but…thanks.
geejohnny
Because they were forced to take on Spanns pay to dump Longorias contract. They tried to trade Dickerson…couldn’t find any takers..so they DFA him as Spann had left field. I’m a Bucco and Rays fan too. Corey will have a great year.
kenster84
they got Daniel Hudson, minor league infielder Tristan Gray and cash considerations
Bleu
We released Hudson. Essentially bought a small prospect.
Sideline Redwine
That move looks worse and worse each day, though it looked pretty bad when it happened. CD can hit…and the Rays need hitters. Warren Span? Eek. Ten years ago sure, but now? Still boggles my mind.
stevewpants
Felt like watching Carlos Gomez strikeout from the right side of the plate this season?
booboo123
As a Dbacks fan I love this kid. For some reason he’s never gotten a chance. Good pick up Rays.
geejohnny
Great. Will you want him back for Souza?
srechter
I’ve wondered the same thing. Crazy speed/power combo display in the minors, along with a fair bit of mlb success.
kenster84
“kid” LOL
Mendoza Line 215
I echo the sentiments about why this guy with these hitting stats has not been given a chance.Sometimes one may be the odd man out on a stacked roster.If he is a decent outfielder he certainly is not pigeonholed into just one position.Maybe there is more behind the scenes but perhaps the Rays have their replacement for Corey Dickerson.