In the morning they traded Minor League first baseman Casey Gillaspie to the White Sox for Dan Jennings, a much-needed left-handed reliever. Then, just prior to the team's game against the Yankees, the Rays traded Minor League right-hander Drew Smith to the Mets to acquire first baseman Lucas Duda.
"These were two guys that we really thought could help us that could fill important roles on our club and make it stronger going down the stretch," said Rays senior vice president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom. "At this time of the year, you're looking to make whatever upgrades you can when you're in the position that we're fortunate to find ourselves in.