The 2023 MLB trade deadline is in it's final stages as teams are looking to make some finish touches on their rosters before a hopeful postseason push into October. The Rays did just that yesterday.
With the Tampa Bay Rays currently sitting in 2nd place of the AL East, they have those postseason hopes. Their pitching staff has been battle tested thus far through the season. To bolster that staff, they added RHP Aaron Civale.
Civale has been off to a strong 2023 as he is sporting a 2.34 ERA over 77 innings along with 58 strikeouts. The Tampa Bay pitching staff is finally getting healthier and with the addition of Civale, it's looking like their ready for that second half push.
As for Cleveland, they received first-base prospect Kyle Manzardo. Currently, Manzardo is ranked 37th in MLB's top 100 prospects, 4th in Tampa's system, and is expected to be a solid contributor at the big league level. In AA Durham, Manzardo was slashing .238/.342/.442 along with 11 home runs and 38 RBI.
As the deal was finalized, both clubs are seemingly winners in their own respective right. The Rays received a starter who will help their postseason push as the Guardians received a high-end prospect who will help their future.
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