RAYS GET STARTING HELP IN ERASMO RAMIREZ
The Tampa Bay Rays acquired pitcher Erasmo Ramirez from the Seattle Mariners for pitcher Mike Montgomery.
What does it give the Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays are depleted in their starting rotation to commence the 2015 campaign, with {P Alex Cobb}, {P Drew Smyly}, {P Alex Colome} and {P Matt Moore} all expected to begin the regular season on the disabled list. Enter Ramirez, a decent right-hander with the right blend of MLB experience and youth (he turns 25 in May) to potentially become a coup for Tampa Bay. He's a good gamble to take at this point.
What does it give the Seattle Mariners
The Mariners didn't need Ramirez in the rotation any longer, so he was likely going to pitch out of the Seattle bullpen to begin 2015 had he not been dealt. In Montgomery, the M's land a former top prospect who has been beset by injury. Like Ramirez though, Montgomery is still young enough (25) to make something of his big-league career. He could be tried as a reliever with the M's, but he is a starter by trade.
Fantasy impact
Ramirez sees a spike in his overall fantasy value now that he's going to at least start the '15 campaign in a big-league rotation, and pitching indoors in St. Petersburg shouldn't be too much of a dropoff from the friendly pitching confines of Safeco Field in Seattle. As for Montgomery, his fantasy fortunes are dwindling but this deal could be his final shot to meet expectations. Consider him a fantasy dark horse in '15.
