Ryan Schimpf traded to Rays for minor league infielder Deion Tansel

In a corresponding move to today’s Chase Headley trade, enigmatic slugger Ryan Schimpf has been traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for minor league infielder Deion Tansel. The Headley trade was a one-for-two deal, sending Jabari Blash to the Yankees for Headley and pitcher Bryan Mitchell. With a full 40-man roster, the Padres needed another roster move to clear space for the two incoming former Yankees. Schimpf may have been a candidate for assignment, as his 2017 season was woefully disappointing both at the MLB and AAA levels, so to get anything in return for him is a bonus. The power-hitting second & third baseman hit a paltry .202/.311/.475 in AAA after flaming out with an 87 OPS+ to open the season with the Padres.

The Padres are receiving 23-year-old Deion Tansel in the deal, who is a righty-hitting infielder who has some experience at second and third base as well as shortstop. He has yet to play above low single-A, having been drafted in the 32nd round of the 2016 draft.