RAYS AND CUBS SWAP PITCHERS
The Tampa Bay Rays acquired pitchers Adrian Sampson and Manuel Rodriguez, and international bonus pool money from the Chicago Cubs for pitcher Josh Roberson.
What does it give the Tampa Bay Rays
Both Sampson and Rodriguez have yet to pitch in the majors this season and will begin in the minors. However, Sampson had success as a starter with the Cubs in 2022 (3.11 ERA in 104.1 IP), while Rodriguez adds a sinker-slider combo with lethal strikeout ability. They should offer the Rays organizational depth and could appear in the majors this season.
What does it give the Chicago Cubs
Roberson is a minor-league pitcher who has worked as a reliever in Triple-A ball this season (4.50 ERA in 36 innings). The Cubs must like what they have seen from the 27-year-old right-hander, and he could get his first call-up to Major League Baseball later this year. Otherwise, he should serve as solid organizational depth.
Fantasy impact
There is no immediate fantasy impact with this trade, as all three pitchers will head to the minors. Even if one of them gets recalled, it is unlikely that they would pitch in high-leverage situations for their new squads.
