Advertisement

Rays trade Alex Colome and Denard Span to Mariners for prospects

 
Tampa Bay Rays leftfielder Denard Span (2) triples to deep right scoring Kiermaier, Gomes and Miller as the Rays go ahead 5 to 4 against the Boston Red Sox during 8th inning action Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg Thursday afternoon (03/29/18). (Dirk Shadd, Times)
Tampa Bay Rays leftfielder Denard Span (2) triples to deep right scoring Kiermaier, Gomes and Miller as the Rays go ahead 5 to 4 against the Boston Red Sox during 8th inning action Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg Thursday afternoon (03/29/18). (Dirk Shadd, Times)
Published May 25, 2018|Updated May 26, 2018

The Rays made a major trade Friday afternoon, sending All-Star closer Alex Colome and OF Denard Span to the Mariners.

The return is two minor-leaguers, RHP Andrew Moore and RHP Tommy Romero. The Rays also sent cash to the Mariners.

Span, a Tampa product, was enjoying a successful start to his season and enjoying playing and living at home. He was hitting .238 with four homers and a team-high matching 28 RBI.

Span said he was surprised and disappointed to be traded, had enjoyed being home and being on this #Rays team: "It's bittersweet, more bitter than sweet."

Colome has had an inconsistent season, going 2-5, 4.15 converting 11 of 13 saves.

The Rays also made a deal with Oakland to acquire RHP Wilmer Font, who had been designated for assignment.

Here is what the Rays had to say in their press release about the pitchers acquired from Seattle:

Moore, who turns 24 on June 2, pitched in 11 games (nine starts) over four stints with Seattle in 2017, going 1-5 with a 5.34 ERA (59-IP, 35-ER) and only 8 BB allowed. He did not yield a walk in the majors until his 70th batter faced, and threw at least six innings in six of those nine starts. This season, Moore is 3-1 with a 3.04 ERA (50.1-IP, 17-ER) in nine starts for Double-A Arkansas. He ranks fourth in the Texas League in ERA, and ranks among league leaders with 47 SO (fifth), 1.03 WHIP (second), .210 opponents’ avg. (third) and 9.66 baserunners per nine innings (second). Moore was selected by Seattle in the second round of the 2015 June Draft out of Oregon State University.

Moore has been added to the 40-man roster and will report to Triple-A Durham.

Romero, 20, is 3-3 with a 2.45 ERA (44-IP, 12-ER) with 54 SO in nine starts for Class-A Clinton. He ranks seventh in the Midwest League in ERA, fifth in strikeouts and third in strikeouts per nine innings (11.05). Selected in the 15th round out of Eastern Florida State College, he made his pro debut in the Arizona League last summer and over parts of two seasons has totaled an 8-4 record and a 2.27 ERA, holding opponents to a .221 avg. (68-for-307) with only one home run. Romero entered the season rated as the Mariners No. 26 prospect, according to Baseball America. He will report to Class-A Bowling Green.