Now for some info courtesy of the Twins and D-Rays media relations departments...
“We have strengthened our team by adding an impact starting pitcher in Garza and an everyday shortstop in Bartlett,” said Rays Executive Vice President Andrew Friedman. “We have capitalized on our depth in certain areas to address more pressing areas of need. Because of that, we are now a better ball club.”
Garza, who turned 24 on Monday, was Minnesota’s number one pick in 2005 (25th overall). He led American League rookie pitchers with a 3.69 ERA, while posting a 5-7 record in 16 appearances (15 starts). He struck out 67 in 83 innings, including a career-high 11 strikeouts on July 29 vs. Cleveland. Garza was named USA Today Minor League Player of the Year in 2006 and made his major league debut that season, posting a 3-6 record with a 5.76 ERA in 10 games (9 starts) for the Twins. He was named by Baseball America as Minnesota’s number one prospect entering the 2007 season.
Bartlett, 28, was the Twins Opening Day shortstop last season and set career highs in virtually every offensive category. He batted .265 with five home runs, 43 RBI, 75 runs scored and a team-leading 23 stolen bases in 140 games.
Morlan, 21, was a third round pick of the Twins in 2004 out of Coral Park High School in Miami, Fla. The Cuban native spent virtually the entire 2007 season with the Ft. Myers Miracle (A) of the Florida State League. He made a combined 43 relief appearances (41 with Ft. Myers, two with New Britain), posting a 5-3 record with 18 saves, a 3.10 ERA, and 99 strikeouts over 69.2 innings. He pitched for the Phoenix Desert Dogs this fall in the Arizona Fall League and did not allow a run in 12.2 innings pitched.
Young, 22, was a unanimous selection to the 2007 Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team after batting .288 (186-for-645) with 38 doubles, 13 home runs, 93 rbi and 10 stolen bases as he played in all 162 games for Tampa Bay. Young, who was the first overall selection in the 2003 First-Year Player draft, was just one of seven players to appear in every game last season and ranked second in the American League with 645 at-bats. Last season, he led all American League rookies in hits (186), rbi (93), total bases (263), multi-hit games (55) and outfield assists (16), was second in doubles (38) and extra-base hits (51), third in home runs (13), fourth in batting (.288), sixth in stolen bases (10), eighth in on-base percentage (.316) and slugging percentage (.408) and 10th in walks (26).
Harris, 27, hit .286 (149-for-521) with 35 doubles, three triples, 12 homers, 59 rbi, 72 runs scored and 42 walks in a career-high 137 games in 2007.
Pridie, 24, split time between Double-A and Triple-A in 2007. He hit .290 (81-for-290) with 16 doubles, seven triples, four home runs and 27 rbi in 71 games with Montgomery before being promoted to Durham. In 63 games as the Bulls centerfielder, Pridie hit .318 (78-for-245) with 16 doubles, four triples, 10 home runs and 39 rbi. Pridie was selected by the Twins in the 2005 Rule V draft and spent the 2006 Spring Training season with the Twins before being returned to the Rays.