Rays Trade Emilio Pagan to Padres for Manuel Margot and a Prospect
By Mark Powell
While we await more Mookie Betts drama, a Red Sox division rival has made a surprising move amidst the chaos.
Emilio Pagan, who saved 20 games for the Rays last season paired with a 2.31 ERA, has been dealt to the San Diego Padres for Manuel Margot and prospect Logan Driscoll.
#Rays are trading reliever Emilio Pagan to the #Padres in exchange for outfielder Manuel Margot and prospect C/OF Logan Driscoll, sources tell @TheAthleticMLB.
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) February 9, 2020
Pagan joins an already-capable Padres bullpen, while the Rays receive some outfield depth they desperately need at this juncture. San Diego had already re-signed Craig Stammen and added Drew Pomeranz to the mix, so throwing Pagan in that 'pen which features Kirby Yates and Andres Munoz is scary.
Padres Acquire Emilio Pagan From Rays For Manuel Margot And Prospect Logan Driscoll https://t.co/c9JSTmCmop pic.twitter.com/g2i5oGBLNg
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) February 9, 2020
Margot, meanwhile, is a tremendous defensive outfielder and creates quite the pairing with Kevin Kiermaier. It's unwise to doubt the Rays' long-term plan, as they so often get the most out of their spare parts. Tampa surely has something in mind with their bullpen, even after losing Pagan.
Driscoll, a 22-year-old prospect, was more of a throw-in. In 2019, he hit .268 with three home runs at Short-A.