Rays acquire C Hanigan, RHP Bell in 3-team trade

The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired catcher Ryan Hanigan from the

Cincinnati Reds and reliever Heath Bell from the Arizona

Diamondbacks in a three-team trade.

The deal was announced Monday after Hanigan agreed to a $10.75

million, three-year contract that runs through 2016 an includes a

club option for 2017.

Tampa Bay sent minor league pitcher Justin Choate and a player

to be named to the Diamondbacks. Arizona dealt left-hander David

Holmberg to Cincinnati.

The 33-year-old Hanigan is expected to become Tampa Bay’s

primary catcher. The trade was completed a day after free agent

catcher Jose Molina was re-signed to a $4.5 million, two-year

contract.

Bell will be a candidate to become the Rays’ closer.