Rays trade Joey Wendle to Miami

Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty ImagesThe Tampa Bay Rays have traded 2021 All-Star 3B Joey Wendle to the Miami Marlins for 2019 first round draft pick OF Kameron Misner.

Joey Wendle was acquired as a top defensive second baseman from the Oakland Athletics four seasons ago for C Jonah Heim before transitioning to a utility role, and solidifying himself as the top third base defender on the team in September 2020, appearing as the Rays starter in the World Series.

Wendle performed at a high level in the first half of 2021, in what would be his first career season with double digit homeruns, but his offense fell below average in the second half and — due in part to pitching matchups — he was not a…