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Rays trade outfielder David DeJesus to Angels

 
David DeJesus is headed to Los Angeles — where his wife and son live nearby — as the Rays open at-bats for others and clear some salary.
David DeJesus is headed to Los Angeles — where his wife and son live nearby — as the Rays open at-bats for others and clear some salary.
Published July 29, 2015

ST. PETERSBURG — Rather than add a bat, the Rays on Tuesday traded one of their more productive offensive players — OF David DeJesus — to create flexibility in their lineup and save about $3 million.

DeJesus, hitting .259 with five homers and 26 RBIs, was sent to the Angels for 20-year-old rookie league RHP Eduar Lopez.

In acknowledging Lopez was a "mid-level prospect," the Rays said the bigger return was clearing more at-bats for DH John Jaso and space in the lineup for OF Desmond Jennings, who is expected back from the disabled list in mid August.

That, and not paying the $2 million or so DeJesus will make the rest of this season and the $1 million buyout on his $5 million option for 2016.

"A large motivation for this was creating the opportunities for Jaso and for Jennings and to save some money at the same time," baseball operations president Matt Silverman said.

After playing a man short Wednesday, the Rays are likely to make an interim call-up today then Friday bring back veteran OF Grady Sizemore, who will have spent the requisite 10 days in the minors after his July 21 demotion.

The Rays have "several" ongoing conversations about other potential moves before Friday's deadline for non-waiver deals. Silverman confirmed they would consider trading from their stock of pitching, with several starters and relievers likely to be of considerable interest.

"We have depth in pitching until we don't have depth in pitching, and we've seen that happen, that depth erased rather quickly," Silverman said.

"We're open to listening to other ideas. There's not a strong motivation to do anything."

He also insisted they are committed to remaining in playoff contention.

"The message to the fans is that we believe in this club, we believe in the players that we have and the ones who are going to be coming back," he said. "We believe our club, if it plays up to our potential, is going to be in the race."

DeJesus, 35, was eating hummus and sitting with OF Joey Butler shortly before Tuesday's game, not having thought at all about being traded until bench coach Tom Foley summoned him to manager Kevin Cash's office.

While surprised to be dealt and disappointed to leave his Rays teammates, he was pleased to be going to the AL West-leading Angels, especially since his wife, Kim, an aspiring actor, and son have been living in the Los Angeles area.

"I didn't really think it was going to be happen, to be honest with you," DeJesus said. "I think it's a good problem."

DeJesus seemed the odd man out all spring given how the Rays restructured their roster during the offseason, and Silverman praised his handling of what could have been a difficult situation, calling him "a true professional." Cash also praised him. After injuries to Jaso and Jennings created extensive playing time, DeJesus, acquired in 2013, took advantage.

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Silverman said he had talked for several days with the Angels, who also added OFs Shane Victorino and David Murphy after injuries to ex-Ray Matt Joyce and MVP Mike Trout.

Lopez, who clocks in the low 90s, was 2-2 with a 4.32 ERA in eight starts for rookie-level Orem and is likely to join the Rays' Hudson Valley team. "He's someone who has the potential to develop," Silverman said.

Jennings, out since late April with left knee issues, will head Thursday to Triple-A Durham to start a rehab assignment with the goal of getting 25-30 at-bats before rejoining the team in mid August.

CABBY, KK RETURN: Rained out of a planned rehab game Monday, SS Asdrubal Cabrera convinced the Rays he was ready to return from a right hamstring strain anyway. Then he showed them with doubles in his first two at-bats on a 3-for-4 night.

CF Kevin Kiermaier was also back in the lineup, saying a night's sleep was a huge help in getting over the blurred vision and irritation from a minor abrasion to his left eye that forced him from Monday's game.

Kiermaier said he wasn't concerned about any serious damage to his self-described "dreamy" eyes. "They're too powerful to be kept out for too long, but they feel good and they're back to normal now, so I'm happy," he said.

MISCELLANY: Sun Sports is not televising today's game. … 3B Evan Longoria homered for the second time in 10 games and had an extra-base hit in his sixth straight. … RHP Chris Archer said the early 12:10 start won't cause a major disruption in his routine, though he planned a 7:30 a.m. wakeup. … With lefty-swinging 1B James Loney sitting against LHP David Price, Logan Forsythe started at first, the Rays deciding Tim Beckham wasn't ready to make his debut there. … 2011 top pick RHP Taylor Guerrieri was promoted to Double-A Montgomery, where he allowed four runs in three innings.