The Rays sent shortstop Julio Lugo to the Dodgers today in exchange for minor-leaguers Joel Guzman and Sergio Pedroza.
I guess Tampa Bay's negotiations with Lugo over a long-term contract extension didn't get far (or were only a ploy to draw a better trade offer).
Guzman reached the major leagues this year but was with Class AAA Las Vegas. He's an outfielder now, though he played shortstop last year for the Jacksonville Suns. Guzman was a nice player for the Suns but he's not a major-league shortstop.
B.J. Upton has been promoted to the big leagues after all, three days after the USA Today story. It's not like he said anything too inflammatory. The first thing he should do is ask for a meeting with the entire team so that he can apologize for any hurt feelings. Because he didn't make overly harsh statements and because he doesn't have a history of such, he'll be forgiven soon enough.
Pedroza has 13 games experience at high-Class A Vero Beach. He had a .281 average, 21 home runs and 75 RBIs at low-A Columbus when he was promoted. He'll be headed to the California League.
In news involving a former Biscuit, pitcher Jose Diaz went from the Rangers to the Royals in exchange for first baseman-outfielder Matt Stairs.
Diaz will be on his fifth organization since July 2004. He and Scott Kazmir came to the Devil Rays two years ago in a trade with the Mets. The Indians claimed Diaz off waivers last summer, then didn't offer him a contract for this year. He signed with the Rangers.
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Shortstop Ben Zobrist is also headed to the major leagues from Durham.
Zobrist joined the Tampa Bay organization earlier in July in a trade with the Houston Astros.
This one should cause a move with the Biscuits.
So does that mean we should see Longoria?
I don't know. The Rays have given no hints that Longoria will go anywhere else this year.
With Pedroza probably headed for Visalia, I'd imagine an outfielder may be headed up. Perhaps Patrick Breen or Fernando Perez?
At Durham, Brent Butler can play shortstop and Guzman will slide into third. If I had to make a guess, maybe Johnny Raburn will soon return to the Bulls? They'd need a utility guy.
Or they'll deactivate a guy in Visalia, activate someone in Durham and nobody goes anywhere.
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