The tradeGiants get: RHP Miguel Mendez, SS Joniel Hernandez Padres get: LHP Robbie RayRobbie Ray may never have a Cy Young-caliber season again, but he can help the Padres Giants: A
Padres: B+Robbie Ray’s 2021 AL Cy Young Award remains one of the award’s most notable outliers in recent history, and it’s possible the expectations around him after winning have obscured just how helpful Ray has been when healthy. He’s not in danger of throwing 200 innings, but he was a reliable fount of quality starts in recent weeks, throwing (and grunting) as well as ever. The Padres got a first-hand look at it last week, and it impressed them enough to make a relatively rare intra-division trade.Ray isn’t an ace, and the statistical record suggests that he never was (or was even especially close, save for that one magical season). But he’s been a rock-solid pitcher for a long time, and he comes with an upside that most of the innings-absorbers who will move at the deadline can’t touch. Ray is a pitcher who, at his spot-hitting best, can give even a lineup like the Dodgers’ some trouble. And if you’re worried about the gap between his sparkling ERA (3.08) and ordinary FIP (4.36), check out his history with both stats. The sample is big enough that the ERA might be more predictive. If so, he’s just what the Padres need in a crowded wild-card race.
