Tue, Dec 3, 2013 at 4:15pm

RAYS LAND HANIGAN, BELL in 3-TEAM SWAP

In a three-team trade, the Tampa Bay Rays acquired pitcher Heath Bell and cash from the Arizona Diamondbacks, and catcher Ryan Hanigan from the Cincinnati Reds; Cincinnati acquired pitcher David Holmberg from the Diamondbacks, and Arizona acquired pitcher Justin Choate and a player to be named later from the Rays.

What does it give the Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays did well here to fill two holes, while not surrendering a lot in the process. Hanigan should immediately become Tampa Bay's starter behind the dish, ahead of veteran {P Jose Molina} and switch-hitter {P Jose Lobaton}--who is expected to be traded in another move. Veteran Bell may step in as the team's new closer, since {P Fernando Rodney} is a free agent. Tampa also received cash in this deal from Arizona to cover part of Bell's hefty salary going forward.

What does it give the Cincinnati Reds
In Holmberg, the Reds land a quality left-handed starting pitching prospect who is likely to begin 2014 in Triple-A ball. More importantly, they shed Hanigan's salary and clear the path for {P Devin Mesoraco} to take over as the team's starting catcher. Veteran {P Brayan Pena} will serve as the backup, and his signing as a free agent paved the way for Hanigan to be dealt. Could Cincinnati have received more in return for their starting catcher? Perhaps yes.

What does it give the
For the Diamondbacks, this move was designed mainly to shed some salary. The sent some cash to Tampa Bay to cover for Bell's salary, but the Miami Marlins are also on the hook for a portion of his salary, too. Choate, only 22, has some upside as a potential late-inning reliever but is a long way from Major League Baseball. He's expected to pitch in Single-A ball for most (if not all) of 2014. The inclusion of Holmberg to Cincinnati in this salary dump is a bit puzzling, though.

Fantasy impact
Hanigan is more of a game-caller and leader than hitter, and his power may dip moving away from Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. Bell may be a huge sleeper heading into 2014 if he assumes Tampa Bay's closer role, though that's not etched in stone. Holmberg and Choate are on the keeper-league radar, but neither is a sure thing down the road. Perhaps the biggest losers here are {P Jake McGee} if Bell beats him out for the closer job with the Rays, as well as Lobaton (who must now find a new home).