Rays make major trade to acquire pitchers

Pitching prospects Edwin Jackson and Chuck Tiffany will join the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

By MARC TOPKIN
Published January 14, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - The Devil Rays made their first major move of the offseason on Saturday, acquiring pitching prospects Edwin Jackson and Chuck Tiffany from the Dodgers for closer Danys Baez, middle reliever Lance Carter and a player to be named.

The trade allows the Rays to add depth to their starting pitching prospects but creates a hole at the back end of their bullpen.

"Danys and Lance have meant a great deal to the organization both on and off the field," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said in a statement. "In Danys' case, it takes a player with his talents, character and accomplishments to create an opportunity to acquire such talented pitching prospects. There are no guarantees with young pitching. The more top prospects in our system, the greater our chances for developing impact players who will play key roles over the coming years."

In Jackson, the Rays get a 22-year-old premium prospect who they expect to be a key part of their rotation for years. Baseball America rated him the Dodgers' top prospect in 2004 and their third-best in 2005.

Jackson has pitched in 19 major-league games over parts of the past three seasons, compiling a 6-4 record and 5.50 ERA. In 2005 he was a combined 9-11 with a 5.91 ERA at Double-A Jacksonville and Triple-A Las Vegas, and 2-2 with a 6.28 ERA in seven games for the Dodgers.

In Tiffany, the Rays get a 20-year-old left-hander who has compiled impressive minor-league numbers, including an 11-7 record, 3.93 ERA and 134 strikeouts in 110 innings in 2005 at Class A Vero Beach. Baseball America had him rated in the 12-15 range among Dodgers prospects.

Baez was the Rays' All-Star last season, going 5-4 with a 2.86 ERA with a career-high 41 saves in 49 opportunities. He has been the topic of trade talks for much of the offseason, a product of a contract that pays him a modest $4-million in 2006 but makes him a free agent after the season.

Carter was the Rays' All-Star in 2003 when he went 7-5 with 23 saves, but he has been used in middle relief the last two seasons. He went 1-2 with a 4.89 ERA in 2005 and was demoted to Triple-A Durham for six weeks.

[Last modified January 14, 2006, 19:02:03]