Phillies To Acquire Yoniel Curet

"The Phillies are going to acquire right-hander Yoniel Curet from the Rays. Right-hander Tommy McCollum is going the other way. The Rays designated the Curet for assignment recently to open a roster spot when they signed outfielder Cedric Mullins. Philadelphia's 40-man roster count jumps from 34 to 35. Reporter Mike Rodriguez first noted that Curet was going to Philly. Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported on McCollum's inclusion."

"Curet, now 23, joins a new organization for the first time. The Rays signed him as an amateur out of the Dominican Republic. By the end of 2023, he was eligible for the Rule 5 draft. He hadn't even climbed as high as Double-A yet and had shown clear control problems, but he also racked up strikeouts. From 2021 to 2023, he logged 197 innings across various levels with a 2.97 earned run average."

"His 2024 season was quite strong. He made 26 starts between High-A and Double-A, throwing 119 innings with a 2.95 ERA. His 11.9% walk rate was still high but an improvement for him, while his 31.5% strikeout rate was relatively unchanged. He had enough hype that Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs ranked him as the #61 prospect in the whole league going into 2025. But this year was a bit of a setback for him."

"He was on the injured list for most of the first half due to an injury in his throwing shoulder. Once healthy, he tossed 55 1/3 innings with a 3.90 ERA, 12.8% walk rate and 25.5% strikeout rate. FanGraphs now lists him as the 11th-best prospect in the Rays' system. Due to his control problems, Curet might end up getting pushed to the bullpen. However, he still young and has an option remaining."

Philadelphia acquired right-hander Yoniel Curet from Tampa Bay in exchange for right-hander Tommy McCollum. The Rays designated Curet for assignment to open a roster spot after signing Cedric Mullins. Curet, 23, was signed from the Dominican Republic and was added to the Rays’ 40-man to avoid the Rule 5 draft. From 2021–2023 he posted a 2.97 ERA across 197 innings with a 31.7% strikeout rate and a 15.3% walk rate. He followed with a strong 2024 (2.95 ERA in 119 innings), then missed much of the 2025 first half with a shoulder injury and returned to post a 3.90 ERA in 55 1/3 innings. Control concerns could push him to relief, and he has an option remaining.

Read at MLB Trade Rumors