Giants land Evan Longoria in trade with Rays

SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale recaps MLB's winter meetings and explains why it's been an uneventful offseason so far. USA TODAY Sports

Evan Longoria, the greatest player in Tampa Bay Rays history, was traded to the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday as his original club launched into a rebuild, a task his new club is choosing to put off.

The Rays receive top infield prospect Christian Arroyo, veteran outfielder Denard Span and minor league pitchers Matt Krook and Stephen Woods in the swap.

Longoria, 32, has five seasons remaining on a six-year, $100 million extension he signed in November 2012. He famously committed to a long-term future with the Rays just two weeks into his rookie season with them, signing a six-year, $17.5 million deal with three club options in April 2008.

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Both player and club grew together immediately: Longoria hit 27 home runs and won the 2008 American League Rookie of the Year award as the Rays made a stunning run to the World Series after claiming the first playoff berth in their history.

From that point on, Longoria clearly was Mr. Ray, a title he doubled down on in signing his next extension five years ago. Both deals were considered team-friendly and the third baseman was a player the team built both lineup and marketing efforts around.

Longoria hit 261 home runs in his 10 seasons with the club, and was an All-Star each of his first three years in the league. He was awarded a Gold Glove in 2017, the third of his career.

Now, he goes to a Giants team that lost 98 games last year and whiffed on efforts to acquire Japanese star Shohei Ohtani and slugger Giancarlo Stanton. Instead, they’ll build around Longoria, who returns to his native California after batting .261 with 20 homers for the Rays in 2017.

Longoria is owed $71 million through the 2022 season, including a $5 million buyout of a $13 million team option in 2023.

Bob Nightengale contributed reporting

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