Rays trade: Rodolfo Sanchez to Phillies completes Edgar García deal

Rays pitcher Rodolfo Sanchez has been acquired by the Philadelphia Phillies to close the Edgar García deal.

The right-handed pitcher was claimed by the Phillies after Edgar García joined the Rays back in August. Sanchez is a 20-year-old and spent time with the Hudson Valley Renegades, of the New York-Pennsylvania League, in 2019. In 13 games, he pitched 63.1 innings with an ERA of 3.41.

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Sanchez will continue in the minors as he develops his craft. His trade will not impact the Rays’ bullpen as offseason activity continues.

Looking at the other side of the trade, García made four brief appearances for Tampa Bay, in August, but did not feature again. He was sent to the alternate training site. In 3.1 IP, he gave up three hits and four runs for 10.80 ERA. In the game on August 31, two Yankees hitters (Gio Urshela and Luke Voit) took the prospect for homers before being relieved by Pete Fairbanks.

García featured in 37 games for the Phillies in 2019. In 39 IP, he allowed 38 runs with 25 runs allowed. He did have 45 strikeouts as well as four wild pitches.

You would not expect to see García feature too heavily in 2021. The 24-year-old will surely get some action next season but will need to get control if he’s going to continue on an upward trajectory. Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia, when reporting on the deal, pointed out that García had walked 30 batters in his 42.1 IP for the Phillies and Tampa Bay.

It will be a while before we can see who won this trade, but you wouldn’t bet against García making it in the big leagues. Tampa Bay is usually on the right track with their trades.