[THE JENNERALS]

TRADES AND ASSIGNMENTS + Updated lineups and rotation.

The Rays GM has gone on a bit of a trading tear making three trades involving high value players. The first trade was on April 11 with the Phillies, the Rays acquired Jim Thome in exchange for Alberto Castillo. Here's a look at how those players stack up against each other.

RAYS RECEIVE:

DH/1B Jim Thome (77), 3* with 4* potential, downward trend arrow

PHILLIES RECEIVE

Alberto Castillo (no idea what his stats were as he has disappeared :s)

This deal really didn't affect either team too much until the Rays GM sent DH/LF Mike Carp, RF Matt Joyce, and top 100 prospect Hak-Ju Lee to the Bluejays for INF Brett Lawrie and SS Yunel Escobar. Let's take a look at this deal in more detail.

RAYS RECEIVE:

INF Brett Lawrie (86) 4* with 5* potential
SS Yunel Escobar (82) 4* with 4* potential

BLUEJAYS RECEIVE:

LF Mike Carp (77) 3* with 4* potential
RF Matt Joyce (81) 4* with 4* potential
SS Hak-Ju Lee (68) 2* with 5* potential, top 100 prospect

This deal was fair, at least that's what the Rays GM thought as he gave up a Top 100 prospect and two everyday players for Escobar and Lawrie. Escobar however, would not be a Ray for very long as he was immediately shipped to the Cardinals along with first baseman Juan Miranda, for cardinals starter Jaime Garcia. Here's a more in depth look at the trade.

RAYS RECEIVE:

SP Jaime Garcia (86) 4* with 5* potential

CARDINALS RECEIVE:

SS Yunel Escobar (82) 4* with 4* potential
1B/DH Juan Miranda (70) 3* with 3* potential

This deal helped both teams as the Rays got another great starter and the cardinals were in desperate need of a shortstop as veteran shortstop Rafael Furcal is getting up there in age and is struggling terribly through the first two weeks of the season.

The Rays called up RF Sam Fuld from (AAA) to be the backup outfielder, they also called up MR Brandon Gomes and SS Reid Brignac. They sent down top 100 pitching prospect Danny Hultzen and top 100 prospect Tim Beckham to (AAA), so that they get everyday playing time to help grow.

Let's take a look at the new lineups and rotation for the Rays

VS. RHPDH
1. LF Desmond Jennings
2. CF BJ Upton
3. 3B Evan Longoria
4. DH Jim Thome
5. 1B Carlos Pena
6. 2B Brett Lawrie
7. C Ryan Lavarnway (R)
8. RF Trayvon Robinson
9. SS Ben Zobrist

VS. LHPDH
1. LF Desmond Jennings
2. CF BJ Upton
3. 3B Evan Longoria
4. C Ryan Lavarnway (R)
5. 2B Brett Lawrie
6. SS Ben Zobrist
7. DH Jim Thome
8. 1B Carlos Pena
9. RF Trayvon Robinson

Bench:
C Welington Castillo
RF Sam Fuld
SS Reid Brignac

PITCHING ROTATION

1. David Price (DL) (wade davis is making starts for him while on DL) LHP
2. James Shields RHP
3. Jaime Garcia LHP
4. Jeremy Hellickson RHP
5. Matt Moore (R) LHP

RELIEVERS

LR- Brandon Gomes RHP
MR- Arthur Rhodes LHP
MR- Aroldis Chapman LHP
MR- Josh Lueke RHP
MR- J.P. Howell LHP
SU- Kenley Jansen RHP
SU- Joel Peralta RHP
CL- Kyle Farnsworth RHP

UP NEXT:

SERIES PREVIEW VS. REDSOX