The Philadelphia Phillies entered the offseason without a major need in the bullpen or the starting rotation. But that doesn't mean that they should neglect the chance to add some pitching talent this winter.
While they took Zach McCambley with their Rule 5 Draft pick, the Phillies also made a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays for a starter recently designated for assignment.
According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the Phillies are trading for a former top prospect of the Rays named Yoniel Curet. The right-hander is 23 years old, is a very interesting player for the Phillies to acquire this offseason.
Phillies trade for Rays' 23-year-old top prospect
"Phillies are acquiring righty Yoniel Curet from the Rays for minor-league reliever Tommy McCollum, sources said," Gelb reports. "Curet, 23, had been DFAd by Tampa Bay. Plus fastball, but control issues. Could be a reliever. Goes on 40-man roster. Has minor-league option."
Curet is an interesting option for the Phillies to turn to this season. While he has some control issues, it's not far off from the scouting report for Jose Alvarado when he was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays.
Cristopher Sanchez was also a former Rays pitching prospect whom Tampa Bay moved on from, and both Sanchez and Alvarado have found success in Philadelphia.
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McCollum is a low price to pay to take a chance on Curet, as the 26-year-old reliever doesn't have the upside of Curet. The 23-year-old is coming off a 3.90 ERA season across 14 starts and 16 games total in 2025. But the three years before 2025 were very intriguing.
He had a 2.14 ERA in 2022 across 15 games (10 starts), a 2.94 ERA in 2023 across 26 games (22 starts), and a 2.95 ERA in 26 starts during the 2024 season.
If the Phillies can help him control his pitching, which they've had success with in recent seasons, then the Phillies might've found a major steal in Curet.
This is a fascinating trade, as he's the Rays' current 22nd-ranked prospect before this deal, and while he was going to be released, the Phillies taking a chance on Curet is the right move for the front office to make.
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