Earlier this week, a news tidbit broke that stated the Rays were getting close to dealing starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson to a National League team. Today, that news finally broke – Hellickson is heading to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for a pair of minor leaguers, the first significant move for the new regimes in Arizona and Tampa Bay.
The @Dbacks acquire RHP Jeremy Hellickson from #Rays for OF Justin Williams and SS Andrew Velazquez, reports @SteveGilbertMLB.
— MLB (@MLB) November 15, 2014
The 27-year old Hellickson will be heading into his second year of arbitration in 2015, and made just 13 starts with the Rays in 2014 because of elbow surgery that sidelined him for nearly the entire first half. In 63 2/3 innings, he pitched to a 4.52 ERA, striking out 54 and walking 21.The 2011 AL Rookie of the Year hasn’t topped the 1.6 fWAR he posted during that freshman campaign.
Justin Williams is a 19-year old outfielder that was the Diamondbacks second-round pick in 2013. This season, he hit .351/.403/.467 in 74 games between Missoula of the Pioneer league and South Bend of the Midewest League. Andrew Velazquez is a 20-year old shortstop who hit .290/.367/.428 with nine homers and 50 stolen bases for South Bend this year.
All in all, a good job by both Dave Stewart and Matt Silverman – Arizona trades from a strength (middle infield and outfield) and gives up a pair of players that wouldn’t help them for years, while the Rays clear some salary, bolster their farm system, and open up a spot in their rotation.
