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Two Triple-A right-hangers who have ranked among the top prospects in the Rays’ rich pitching system may seem like a steep price for a rental hitter, even one as good as Nelson Cruz. But, as always, the Rays have more pitching to come. According to major league sources, they jumped on Cruz eight days before the trade deadline, in part because they felt pressure from other clubs, including one of the most surprising contenders – the Padres.
Cruz, 41, hasn’t played a defensive post since 2018, but the Padres wanted him even though, as a National League team, they play without DH. Several Padres players reached out to Cruz to relay the team’s interest over the past week, and Padres officials had inquired about Cruz’s past practice of taking first and second goals, sources said.
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