The Tampa Bay Rays aren’t taking an extended break for the holidays. They kick-started the trade market with a pair of trades that improved their future and weakened the present. The trades raise questions about the next steps forward.
The Rays have a positive trade history, but these moves must be judged over the next handful of years.
Rays Trade Two Mainstays
The Rays traded Shane Baz to the division rival Baltimore Orioles for four prospects and a draft pick. In the next breath, it was announced that the Rays will be acquiring Anderson Brito and Jacob Melton as part of a three-team trade. Both moves are about building future value, but it shows that the Rays are saving money and shaping their roster. Baz was mostly unable to stay healthy, and the Orioles are surrendering a boatload of prospects to acquire his services. It feels like the Rays have enough pitching depth to cover Baz’s absence.
#Rays are having a busy day, reportedly trading Baz to #Orioles and, per several reports, working on a multi-team deal that sends B. Lowe, Mangum and Montgomery to #Pirates. Return in both deals are prospects. @Chandler_Rome, @Ken_Rosenthal, @JeffPassan on it first.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) December 19, 2025
Lowe was always going to be a popular trade candidate given his impending free agent status. Lowe needs to stay healthy, but he possesses a combination of power and patience at the plate. Dating back to the start of 2023, he has 73 home runs and a .245/.315/.466 batting line that translates to a 116 OPS+. That production will need to be replaced. Still, the Rays receive a pitcher who immediately slots into the top of their prospect rankings and an outfielder whom they are extremely bullish on.
Rays Have Depth Now
One of the underrated aspects of this trade is how the Rays are aggressively building out their depth. The catching depth chart now features some impressive names in Dominic Keegan, Nathan Flewelling, and Caden Bodine. All three have been drafted in the past three seasons, and some could be prominent figures of the staff. Not half bad for a catching unit that has been treading water for years.
Brito joins Brody Hopkins among the top Rays pitching prospects. Hopkins may impact the club as soon as next season. The starting rotation is filled with question marks, but Joe Boyle and Ian Seymour batting for the fifth spot isn’t so bad if everyone else stays healthy. It would still be nice to find another inning-eater in the mold of Adrian Houser, except he was scooped up by San Francisco earlier this week. Someone like Zack Littell or Zach Eflin could work. Littell was more effective this past season, pitching to a 3.81 ERA in 32 games started with a 17.1% strikeout and 4.2% walk rate.
Additionally, the Rays effectively swap out Jake Mangum for Jacob Melton, but the latter could be in line for an Opening Day start. Mangum slashed .296/.330/.368 with a 96 OPS+ in 118 games this season. His speed and defense will be missed, but you don’t make this move if you think Melton can’t handle the outfield. Naturally, Melton represents yet another left-hander in a loaded outfield arrangement. More trades to clear the logjam should be coming.
What’s Next for the Rays?
This activity comes as trade rumors surrounding Ketel Marte seem to be entering overdrive. The Rays now have a loaded farm system that should intrigue Arizona. While it will be disappointing if Marte is not traded, there is another name that could intrigue the front office. Brendan Donovan isn’t as dangerous as Lowe or Marte, but he’s a solid defender who puts the ball in play. Donovan would work well if the Rays are interested in modeling their offense like the Toronto Blue Jays.
It’s worth noting that the Rays also made an offer to infielder Jorge Polanco before he signed with the New York Mets, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. That would seem to indicate that the club remains focused on second base upgrades.
At the present moment, the Rays saved around $15 million in trading Baz and Lowe. That should portend further spending, given their current payroll is estimated at around $79 million, per RosterResource. That number is very similar to last season, when they spent 81 home games at the New York Yankees spring training facility with smaller crowds.
Main Photo Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
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