

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired left-handed-hitting outfielder Richie Palacios from the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday in exchange for right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge, according to a source. Palacios made his debut for the Cardinals in 2023 when he was promoted on Aug. 18, and he posted an impressive .823 OPS with six home runs and 16 RBI in 102 plate appearances over 32 games to close out the year. In his rookie season in 2022, the 26-year-old hit .232 (26-for-112) with no homers and 10 RBI in 54 games for the Cleveland Guardians. He'll effectively be replacing Luke Raley, who was shipped to the Seattle Mariners on Friday, as a lefty hitting outfield bat for Tampa in 2024. But with Randy Arozarena, Jose Siri and Josh Lowe serving as regulars, Palacios should open the year as more of a fourth outfielder that will get bats here and there against right-handers.


The St. Louis Cardinals acquired relief pitcher Andrew Kittredge from the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday in exchange for outfielder Richie Palacios, according to a source. Kittredge returned from Tommy John surgery in August of 2023 and was able to hold opponents to a .683 OPS in his 14 relief appearances for Tampa. The 33-year-old right-hander was an All-Star in 2021, when he had a 1.88 ERA (3.04 FIP) and 0.98 WHIP with a career-high eight saves and career-high 77 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings over 57 outings (four starts). Kittredge won't be a favorite saves in St. Louis -- that falls to Ryan Helsley -- but he'll remain in a high-leverage role and is a solid acquisition for a Cardinals bullpen that really let them down this past season. Kittredge should be relevant in deep holds leagues if he can stay healthy.


The Seattle Mariners are reportedly set to acquire outfielder/first baseman Luke Raley from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for infielder Jose Caballero. The potential deal follows up on a blockbuster trade in which Seattle sent former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for outfielder Mitch Haniger and right-hander Anthony DeSclafani. Raley enjoyed a big season for the Rays in 2023, hitting .249 alongside 19 home runs, 14 stolen bases, and an .823 OPS across 406 plate appearances. His big-time production was good for 30% above the league average, as per his 130 wRC+, while his underlying data backed up his work. Caballero, 27, hit .221 with four home runs and a hefty 26 stolen bases across 104 appearances last season.


Right-hander Anthony DeSclafani is headed to the Seattle Mariners in a blockbuster trade that will see former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray heading to the San Francisco Giants while outfielder Mitch Haniger joins DeSclafani in heading to Seattle, joining his former club in the process. DeSclafani has spent the past three seasons in the Bay Area but injuries limited him to just 24 starts over the last two seasons after he posted a 3.17 ERA across 31 starts in his debut season with the Giants. The righty posted a 4.88 ERA in 19 starts in the 2023 season but an elbow injury cut his season short. In parts of nine big-league seasons, the 33-year-old owns a solid 4.20 ERA between the Marlins, Reds, and Giants.


Outfielder Mitch Haniger is headed back to the Seattle Mariners in a trade with the San Francisco Giants that sends former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray to San Francisco while right-hander Anthony DeSclafani joins Haniger in heading to the Mariners. The veteran spent five seasons in Seattle before joining the Giants in free agency prior to the 2023 season. He once again had trouble staying on the field in his lone season in the Bay Area as he hit just .209 with six home runs across just 229 trips to the plate. A myriad of ailments have plagued the 33-year-old in his career as he's played in more than 96 games just twice in seven seasons. He will presumably take the spot of free agent outfielder Teoscar Hernandez in Seattle while the club also traded outfielder Jarred Kelenic to the Braves this winter.
