RAYS REEL IN DH NELSON CRUZ
The Tampa Bay Rays acquired for designated hitter Nelson Cruz and pitcher Calvin Faucher from the Minnesota Twins pitchers Joe Ryan and Drew Strotman.
What does it give the Tampa Bay Rays
In Cruz, the Rays land a top batter for the middle of their order. He will likely be restricted to designated hitter duties, which will be a change for a Tampa Bay squad that likes to move players all over the field. Faucher has an erratic arm and appears to be an ideal project for the organization's pitching coaches.
What does it give the Minnesota Twins
Both Ryan and Strotman are pretty good pitching prospects, so Minnesota did well to land both of them in exchange for an aging (yet still productive) DH and a suspect pitching arm. This deal could be the start of things to come for the disappointing Twins. Could third baseman Josh Donaldson be the next to go?
Fantasy impact
Cruz should continue to mash, no matter where he is playing (or for whom). Both Ryan and Strotman will likely move more quickly in Minnesota's system, so their keeper value should spike. As for Faucher, he needs to start producing results before he becomes noticeable for fantasy leaguers.
