Padres Trade Manny Margot

The San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays are at it again. Just two months ago, the Rays sent OF Tommy Pham (who I love) and INF/RHP Jake Cronenworth to the Padres in exchange for OF Hunter Renfroe, infielder/slapdick Xavier Edwards, and a PTBNL. Now, the two teams hooked up again, with the Padres sending OF Manny Margot and minor league C/OF Logan Driscoll to the Rays in exchange for RHP Emilio Pagan, according to sources.

Margot, the Padres’ primary CF for the last 3 years, is a curious addition to the Rays. The Rays already possess a very good defensive CF in Kevin Kiermaier, as well as the aforementioned Hunter Renfroe, Austin Meadows, and recently signed from Japan Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, as well as DH/OF Jose Martinez. Margot, who’s defensive skills rank among the best in the game, struggled at the plate, particularly against right-handed pitching. He slashed .234/.304/.387 in nearly 400 ABs with 12 HRs and stealing 20 bases.

Logan Driscoll, a 22 year old, 2nd round competitive balance pick from the 2019 Amateur draft, played both in the OF and caught for the Padres’ short-season Tri-City Dust Devils. He played in 39 games, slashing .268/.340/.458 with 3 HRs, before heading off to the Arizona Fall League, where he also impressed in limited action, slashing .316/.381/.632 with 2 HRs in 6 games.

The Padres will receive relief ace RHP Emilio Pagan. The 28 year old emerged as a leading reliever for the Rays in 2019, throwing 70 IP for 20 saves with a 2.31 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and 96 Ks compared to 13 BBs in 2019. Pagan will join a bullpen that, on-paper, looks to be among the best in MLB in 2020.

All the best to Manny and Logan as they head off to Florida, and welcome to San Diego, Emilio!