{"id":111030,"date":"2025-12-19T22:18:29","date_gmt":"2025-12-20T03:18:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=111030"},"modified":"2025-12-19T22:18:29","modified_gmt":"2025-12-20T03:18:29","slug":"whats-next-for-rays-after-pair-of-trade-blockbusters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/12\/19\/whats-next-for-rays-after-pair-of-trade-blockbusters\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s Next for the Rays After a Pair of Trade Blockbusters"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

The Rays have a positive trade history, but these moves must be judged over the next handful of years.<\/p>\n

\"The
Jul 3, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Rays catcher Rene Pinto (50) talks to starting pitcher Shane Baz (11) after the end of the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rays Trade Two Mainstays<\/h2>\n

The Rays traded<\/a> Shane Baz<\/a> 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<\/a> and Jacob Melton<\/a> as part of a three-team trade<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

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#Rays<\/a> are having a busy day, reportedly trading Baz to #Orioles<\/a> and, per several reports, working on a multi-team deal that sends B. Lowe, Mangum and Montgomery to #Pirates<\/a>. Return in both deals are prospects. @Chandler_Rome<\/a>, @Ken_Rosenthal<\/a>, @JeffPassan<\/a> on it first.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) December 19, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n