In what could be the first of many moves before Monday’s non-waiver trade deadline, the New York Mets traded 1B Lucas Duda to the Tampa Bay Rays for RHP Drew Smith.
Per @Feinsand, #Mets to get #Rays No. 30 prospect RHP Drew Smith for 1B Lucas Duda. Smith entered TB Top 30 today: https://t.co/9JwkNVQM7X pic.twitter.com/FO280oryjO
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 27, 2017
With first base prospect Dominic Smith tearing things up for Triple-A Las Vegas, Lucas Duda was playing on borrowed time in Flushing. As for whether this trade will result in Smith getting the call, well, that’s anyone’s guess.
Speaking of Smiths, the Mets get a good one in 23-year-old Drew Smith, a hard-throwing reliever. A third-round pick by Detroit in 2015, he’s moved quickly through the minors, pitching at three different levels this year alone (High-A to Triple-A).
Scouting report on Drew Smith: Fastball up to 98 mph. Has late-game potential. was requested by several teams recently in #Rays talks. #Mets
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 27, 2017
Over 31 combined appearances, he’s gone 1-2 with a 1.60 ERA and 0.91 WHIP, walking nine while striking out 40. He relies on a mid-90s fastball that touches 98 mph and has a solid curveball, though his offspeed offerings still need refinement.
Per MLB Pipeline’s scouting report, Smith profiles more as a setup man than a closer. He is expected to join Double-A Binghamton.
As for Duda, he figures to take over as Tampa Bay’s primary designated hitter. Doing so would allow the Rays to move Corey Dickerson to left field, a position vacated by Colby Rasmus earlier this season.
Classy until the end, Duda wished nothing but great things for the man who will eventually take his place, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.
Duda says he hopes Dom Smith becomes a 10-year All-Star.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) July 27, 2017
This might not be the sexy return that Mets fans were hoping for, but it’s fair value for a soon-to-be free agent like Duda. Both Smiths (Drew and Dom) have a chance to be impact players for years at Citi Field.
Keep it here with ESNY for the latest analysis and chatter surrounding the Amazin’s as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline draws closer.
