D-backs acquire outfielder Steven Souza from Tampa, send Drury to NY
Feb 20, 2018, 4:57 PM | Updated: Feb 21, 2018, 11:18 am
(AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
The Arizona Diamondbacks are getting some power back in their lineup after the departure of J.D. Martinez.
The D-backs are acquiring outfielder Steven Souza from the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-team deal, according to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro.
In the deal, infielder Brandon Drury will be going to the New York Yankees and top pitching prospect Anthony Banda will go to the Rays.
Pitching prospect Taylor Widener will be coming to the D-backs from New York. Two players to be named later will also be dealt by Arizona. Second base prospect Nick Solak will also be going to Tampa from New York.
In 2017, Souza hit 30 home runs and 78 RBI, posting .239/.351/.459 hitting splits. The righty is also known for occasionally stealing a base. He had 16 last season.
The 28-year-old has four years of Major League experience. He made his debut in 2014 with the Washington Nationals, the team that selected him in the third round of the 2007 amateur draft.
In December of 2014, Souza was involved in another three-team deal, being sent to Tampa as a part of a deal that included Wil Myers and Trea Turner.
Souza makes $3.5 million in 2018 and has three years of team control remaining.
Widener was the Yankees’ No. 22 prospect according to Baseball America in 2017. In High-A last year, Widener was 7-8 with a 3.39 ERA.
Drury, 25, spent three years with the D-backs. Drury has played at second base, third base and in the outfield during his time with Arizona. Primarily at second in 2017, he hit .267 with 13 home runs and 63 RBI.
Banda made his MLB debut last July. He was ranked as Arizona’s No. 1 overall prospect in 2017 by Baseball America. In four starts and eight overall appearances, the left-hander was 2-3 with a 5.96 ERA.