PETERSBURG, FL -- It was imminent trade talked about since the final week or so of the regular season.
Aki was disposable with the play of Ben Zobrist, and his salary option was too big a price to keep around.
So, Akinori Iwamura is now a Pittsburgh Pirate. Right handed-relief pitcher Jesse Chavez is the newest Ray.
If this trade turns out to be one that brings a Ben Zobrist story in the fold, fantastic. Right now, I can't get too excited about a rookie pitcher who went 1-4 with a 4.01 ERA.
However, Rays Executive Vice President Andrew Friedman is really excited about this kid. Evidentally, Pittsburgh wanted Aki pretty bad and was relentless in their pursuit.
With that being the case, couldn't the Rays have gotten a little more?
Then again, the Rays got what they really wanted. A $4.85 million dollar option no longer staring them in the face, or a $550,000 buyout if they wanted to part ways with Iwamura.
Mission accomplished.
