It’s Time for the Rays To Make a Trade Deadline Splash

Nobody gave the Tampa Bay Rays a chance to compete in the vaunted American League East division entering this season.

Coming off of a 77-85 finish in 2025, the Rays opted to sell off some key pieces this past offseason while the rest of the division brought in exciting talent.

The Yankees brought back Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham. The Red Sox acquired Ranger Suárez, Sonny Gray, and Willson Contreras. The Blue Jays signed Dylan Cease.

The Rays’ most notable move? Likely trading starter Shane Baz within the division to the Orioles for a prospect package. Baltimore also signed Pete Alonso. The Rays were presumed to simply be less talented than their competition.

Despite lacking a major offseason addition, Tampa Bay owns the best record in the American League. Just six of the 15 AL teams currently own a record above .500, giving the Rays an eight-game cushion over the final Wild Card team.

With so many questions surrounding their competition, Tampa Bay’s president of baseball operations, Erik Neander, has an opportunity at this year’s trade deadline. If the Rays used some prospect capital to add veteran reinforcements, that could make them a more legitimate threat to take home the American League pennant.

The Rays may lead the Yankees by a few games, but New York has been the more dominant team. The Yankees have outscored their opponents by 87 runs this season, while Tampa Bay has only scored 34 more runs than their opposition. This gives us a clear indication that, right now, New York is much better.

Neander could interpret this in two ways: He could neglect to buy, knowing that his team isn’t going to be the most talented, or he could push some chips in and make them more fit to compete.

In this article, I’ll argue for the Rays to buy at this season’s trade deadline and explore some potential areas of improvement for their roster.

All stats were taken prior to play on July 2.

Why the Rays Should Be Aggressive Buyers

The American League is in disarray, allowing Tampa Bay to create a big lead in the standings. To better their chances of winning a World Series, Neander needs to add additional talent to this roster.

Though they should buy this season, the Rays are rarely committed to doing so. Buying at the trade deadline is for short-sighted moves, which Neander rarely makes. Tampa Bay annually maintains one of the league’s lowest payrolls, so every possible win-now move could impact the competitiveness of future Rays teams.

That’s why the team often opts to sell off players in their last few years of team control (like Baz or Brandon Lowe this offseason), in favor of cheaper, more controllable prospect capital.

But this year is different. The American League is mediocre, the Rays have gotten off to a good start, and the market should be bountiful with trade partners that are willing to get creative and mix things up.

Tampa Bay may not have an elite farm system, but it was rated as above-average by FanGraphs (7th out of 30) and MLB.com (10th) to begin this season. Here at Just Baseball, we ranked five Rays prospects within the top 75 of our updated prospect rankings, exhibiting that the system boasts plenty of top-end talent.

The Rays also own the second-overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, giving them the opportunity to add even more enticing prospects in the coming weeks.

Understandably, a big part of Neander’s job requires him to make calculated roster decisions that won’t put him in a bind in the future. However, another part of his job, and the overarching goal of every executive position in baseball, is to build a World Series winner.

The Rays have some winning ingredients. Junior Caminero is an aircraft carrier, Yandy Díaz and Jonathan Aranda are underrated studs offensively, Drew Rasmussen has pitched like an ace, and Bryan Baker has been a lights-out closer. But the Rays need more talent to be a complete team.

If Neander is able to acquire a couple of big-name players to enhance Tampa Bay’s roster, that could level the playing field between the Rays and Yankees. With a legit chance to challenge for the pennant this season, Tampa Bay needs to add more proven talent at the trade deadline.

Where Are Upgrades Possible?

It’s a little surprising that the team with the best record in the American League has many areas of improvement, but it’s also surprising that this roster has the best record in the AL. To fortify their position in the standings, there are many ways that Neander could upgrade the team.

It’s unlikely that Tampa Bay adds a major leaguer from another organization for each of these positions. It also may not be necessary to do so. These are strictly ideas of how the team could improve, with recommendations of players that could become available.

Catcher

Current Options: Nick Fortes (73 wRC+), Hunter Feduccia (67)

The catching tandem of Fortes and Feduccia is one of the weakest, offensively, in the game. Both are about replacement-level players (per fWAR), and Tampa Bay could stand to add a decent backstop.

There isn’t exactly a plethora of attainable, quality options at the position. Minnesota’s Ryan Jeffers is on an expiring deal and recovering from a fractured hamate bone, but there are conflicting signals as to whether he will be available. The Twins sit just two games out of a Wild Card spot, so they realistically don’t have to move Jeffers.

The Yankees also appear to be aggressively pursuing Jeffers, which could put the Rays in a bidding war that dissuades them from making this move.

Some have floated Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman as a trade candidate, but the move seems unlikely. In a press conference this past weekend, Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias declared that he is “going for it,” meaning that he hopes to pursue buying at the deadline.

While a Rutschman trade makes some sense given that Baltimore is seven games under .500, he is under team control through 2027. It would take a very motivated buyer to pry him from the Orioles.

Other possible trade options include Minnesota’s Victor Caratini (99 wRC+) or Detroit’s Jake Rogers (29 wRC+), according to Spotrac, but neither of them would likely move the needle much for the Rays.

Tampa Bay may be stuck with their current catching corps for the remainder of the season, unless they are willing to move big pieces and get creative.

Middle Infield

Current Options: Richie Palacios (81 wRC+), Ben Williamson (82), Taylor Walls (83), Carson Williams (Triple-A), Gavin Lux (IL)

We know that the Rays prioritize defense up the middle, which is why Walls has stuck around so long with a below-average bat. Palacios is a passable lefty hitter, and Williamson is a rookie. Neither of them is giving Tampa Bay much production offensively either.

Williams, 23, was a top prospect for the Rays who has now debuted and is on the 40-man roster. He has a great glove and can hit for some pop, but he’s been in Triple-A to work on the swing-and-miss in his game (30.8% K-rate in 59 Triple-A games this season). He’s a possibility for Tampa Bay’s postseason roster, given that he offers speed and infield defense, but can’t yet be counted on offensively.

Lux was acquired this past offseason and has missed the entire season thus far due to shoulder and ankle injuries. He just recently began a rehab assignment, so he figures to be a mid-season addition from within the organization. Lux was about a league-average bat last season (102 wRC+), so adding him to the fold offers potential for real improvement.

Externally, there are projected to be infielders available, though many are tied to big contracts. San Francisco’s Willy Adames, Boston’s Trevor Story, and Detroit’s Gleyber Torres all could be acquired, but each is getting paid a larger salary than the Rays may be comfortable with.

Those teams could offer to eat some money in hopes of a better return, but none of those players have been particularly exciting this season either.

San Francisco’s Luis Arraez could be an option, as he boasts a contact-heavy approach that Tampa Bay seems to like. He’s not a large financial commitment, though his fit is unclear if Lux takes over at second base.

What the Rays really need is an upgrade at shortstop, but those will be expensive, either monetarily or in terms of the haul they’d have to part with. Washington’s CJ Abrams has been a buzz-worthy trade candidate, but the Nationals have no reason to trade him unless they’re flattered by an offer.

Some buy-low options include Colorado’s Willi Castro and Boston’s Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Neither would represent a massive upgrade, just added depth.

Outfield

Current Options: Ryan Vilade (127 wRC+), Jonny DeLuca (103), Victor Mesa Jr. (84), Chandler Simpson (78), Cedric Mullins (79), Jacob Melton (Triple-A)

The Rays try to optimize their outfield production by using platoons. Simpson is the only one that plays every day, as his aggressiveness on the basepaths adds to his overall value. Still, he’s been a below-average hitter – especially for a corner outfielder.

Vilade and Mesa have platooned in right field recently, and results from both have been encouraging. Vilade has been a solid bat all year, while Mesa is starting to find his footing (5-for-18 with a homer and three RBI in his last five starts). Right field could be alright as-is.

Center field has been another area of concern for Tampa Bay, offensively. DeLuca has been decent when he’s been active, but he missed about a month due to a hamstring strain. Mullins had been playing most days in his stead, and he has really struggled this season. The Rays had hoped that he’d be a buy-low bounce-back player, but that doesn’t seem to be working out.

As for what could be available via trade, there are an assortment of options based on need.

Looking to buy a player with some money left on a contract? San Francisco’s Jung Hoo Lee or the New York Mets’ Luis Robert Jr. could be available. Moves like these aren’t typically up Tampa Bay’s alley.

Interested in a younger player with control? Colorado’s Mickey Moniak, Jake McCarthy, or Brenton Doyle could be of interest. The Los Angeles Angels may be willing to entertain offers for Jo Adell, if the price is right.

If a rental tickles the Rays’ fancy, then the Angels’ Jorge Soler, Baltimore’s Taylor Ward, or Kansas City’s Lane Thomas could be the best options.

Starting Pitching

Current Options: Drew Rasmussen (21.9% K-BB%), Griffin Jax (15.3%), Shane McClanahan (14.8%), Ian Seymour (15.5%), Nick Martinez (10.6%), Steven Matz (Injured), Joe Boyle (Triple-A)

Last month, I wrote an article about the state of the Rays’ rotation and predicted that they would not be able to sustain the league’s best ERA from a starting staff all season. It looks like that prediction is coming to fruition.

Rasmussen (33 IP, 3 ER in June) has remained great, as expected. We’ve seen Martinez (28 IP, 16 ER) and McClanahan (18.2 IP, 12 ER) regress this month, however. Jax has been a solid five-and-dive guy since converting to a starter, while Seymour has been respectable handling bulk responsibilities following an opener.

To win in October, this team would benefit from another true impact starter alongside Rasmussen.

The biggest fish available is reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, who could become available given Detroit’s struggles. He’s a rental, so Tampa Bay doesn’t have to commit to a salary long-term, and they would get an elite arm.

Other rentals potentially on the market include Joe Ryan, Freddy Peralta, Robbie Ray, and Trevor Rogers. Ryan and Peralta have shown consistent ace-upside, while Ray and Rogers have shown flashes in their careers.

While it would behoove the Rays to get a frontline starter, other depth options that are rentals include Jack Flaherty, Kris Bubic, Aaron Civale, or Foster Griffin.

An Optimal Deadline Outcome

As stated previously, the Rays do not usually operate by trading away controllable future assets for short-term MLB commitments. For an optimal outcome at this trade deadline, however, it has to happen.

First and foremost, I think that Tampa Bay needs to aggressively pursue Skubal. They have a prospect pool talented enough to pry him from Detroit, and they need to outbid the Los Angeles Dodgers, most likely.

Would it hurt down the road to give up a package that nets Skubal?

Probably.

But ultimately, the goal here is to win, right?

Put some chips on the table and make it happen, Neander! This team needs you to make a big-ticket addition to legitimize their chances of winning it all.

If the Dodgers do outbid the Rays for Skubal, the pivot should be to Ryan or Peralta. While it’s no guarantee that either is moved, both teams would be a little delusional to think that holding onto them is their smartest decision. Barring a major push in July, the Twins and Mets do not appear to be serious World Series contenders and should look to recoup assets at the deadline.

In addition to landing an ace pitcher, I think the Rays can get the biggest bang for their buck by bringing in another outfielder. I believe that the best fit for this move is Ward.

Unlike Soler, Ward can capably play the outfield daily. He’s a free agent at season’s end, making him unlikely to net a massive return for Baltimore. While the Orioles claim they’d like to buy at the trade deadline, they need to seriously turn things around in July for that to make sense. If they aren’t able to do so, they should trade off expiring contracts and re-tool for 2027.

By acquiring Ward (120 wRC+), the Rays can thank Simpson for his service as everyday left fielder and move him into a reduced role. He can reclaim that starting job in 2027. As a corresponding move for adding Ward, the team could DFA Mullins, or option Mesa or DeLuca.

If Tampa Bay is able to make a smaller move for a bullpen arm, middle infielder, or catcher, that would help – but it would just be gravy at that point. Adding an ace and a capable big league outfielder to this team would already greatly increase their odds of winning the pennant.