Why the Rays traded Rich Hill to the Mets

Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty ImagesThe Tampa Bay Rays surprised us by executing on a trade deadline move a week early — bringing in DH Nelson Cruz, one of the best hitters in baseball, in exchange for two well-regarded pitching prospects from the deep farm system.

Today they surprised us again, by trading veteran LHP Rich Hill.

Yes, as one 41-year old comes in the door, another leaves — but that’s about as far as the connection goes.

Baseball commentators have already pushed out several narratives to discuss Rich Hill’s departure, and most of them are wrong.

First is that this deal was made to save the Rays money, a reasonable expectation given that Rich Hill should be expensive, given his…