How the Marcell Ozuna trade impacts the Rays talks with Cardinals
Cardinals’ acquisition of Ozuna could helps Rays’ leverage
ORLANDO — The Cardinals have just acquired the Marlins’ OF Marcell Ozuna per Craig Mish:
Ozuna to Cardinals is done
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) December 13, 2017
The St. Louis Cardinals have around 8 right-handed outfielders, and Danny Russell outlined the ones the Rays’ could be interested in. With the Ozuna trade, the Cardinals now have nine right-handed outfielders, and will surely be looking to unload those bats to another team. Could that team be the Rays?
Possibly, it all depends on what the return is for the Marlins, who according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, are looking for pitching.
The #Marlins need pitching and the #Stlcards have plenty of it with talks focusing on Flaherty and Alcantara this week
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 13, 2017
Joel Sherman is reporting something similar, only naming Harrison Bader of the trade targets we highlighted this morning.
Trying to confirm who but heard package #Marlins were seeking for Ozuna included SP and OF with control, but MLB experience plus a pitching prospect. #stlcards
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 13, 2017
In Stanton talks #Marlins really liked Alcantara, Bader and Weaver among others. Not sure if any are in Ozuna deal, but was told those were #stlcards players Mia asked often about.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 13, 2017
If Flaherty or Alcantara are the headliners, and there isn’t a couple RHH OF inviolved, then it looks more likely than ever at least one of those right handed bats are going to be in Rays’ uniforms next year.
Say Bader has been included. Even with dealing one OF, the Cards still have 8 other RHB that will have difficulty finding playing time in St. Louis.
Additionally, the Cardinals did make an interesting move earlier today:
#Cardinals have signed Tony Pena's son, Francisco Pena, to a minor-league deal, and he'll be one of the catchers at Class AAA Memphis this past season. He had cameos on the majors with the #Orioles the past two seasons.
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) December 13, 2017
Is this insurance in case Carson Kelly gets traded to the Rays? Or just catching depth? It all depends on the Marlins’ return for Ozuna.
Things are heating up here in Orlando! Stay tuned!