Many thought the Diamondbacks would deal left-handed starting pitcher Robbie Ray at last year’s trade deadline. While it was reported the Snakes and the Yankees were close on a deal, Zack Greinke was the pitcher dealt minutes before the deadline, and the club also brought in Zac Gallen in separate deals.
One year later, and Ray will reportedly find himself putting on another uniform for the rest of 2020.
The lefty will wrap up his contract year with the Toronto Blue Jays that the Diamondbacks traded him on Monday along with $300,000. Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun was first to report the trade.
The Diamondbacks receive left-handed pitcher Travis Bergen in return. The 26-year-old has logged 21.1 innings in his short career with the Giants and Blue Jays over two years and posted a 5.06 ERA.
The expectations were high or Ray entering his contract year. He had dropped a considerable amount of weight entering spring training and tweaked some mechanics for a more consistent delivery. He was virtually un-hittable in the Diamondbacks’ Summer Camp. But the issues that have plagued Ray’s productivity – walks, inefficiency and a rising home run rate – were in full effect in 2020, posting 31 walks in 31 innings and a 7.84 ERA.
Ray joined the D-backs rotation in 2015 and threw 793 innings at a 4.11 earned run average, striking out 998 (11.3 K/9) and walking over four batters per nine innings in six years with the club. His best year came in 2017, when he struck out 218 batters in 162 innings at a 2.89 ERA on his way to the National League All-Star team and playoff berth for the Diamondbacks.
The Diamondbacks may not be done either. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal is reporting the club is listening to deals involving reliever Archie Bradley and outfielder Starling Marte, both of which have short contracts after this season.
