Mets Trade Lucas Duda Tampa Bay Rays For Relief Prospect Drew Smith
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (CBSNewYork) -- The New York Mets have traded first baseman Lucas Duda to the Tampa Bay Rays, the teams announced.
OFFICIAL: #Rays acquire 1B Lucas Duda from the New York Mets in exchange for minor league RH Drew Smith. pic.twitter.com/uNu7gDPseB
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) July 27, 2017
In return, the Mets have received relief prospect Drew Smith.
Sources: Rays and Mets are expected to complete a deal for DH/1B Lucas Duda. Right-handed reliever Drew Smith would head back to the Mets.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2017
Duda will be a free agent at the end of the season. CBS Sports reported Duda will likely serve as the "spiritual successor" to Colby Rasmus, who walked away from baseball earlier this month and is on the restricted list.
Duda has hit .246/.347/.532 with 17 home runs in 291 plate appearances this season, CBS Sports pointed out.
Smith's trade to the Mets is his second just this year, CBS Sports pointed out. He was acquired by the Rays in a deal for Mikie Mahtook.