The Tampa Bay Rays continue to reshape their roster as the trade deadline approaches.
In a recent move, the Rays traded right-handed reliever Jason Adam to the San Diego Padres. In exchange, Tampa Bay received right-handed pitcher Dylan Lesko, outfielder Homer Bush Jr., and catcher J.D. Gonzalez.
Adam, a 32-year-old reliever, has posted impressive numbers with the Rays, including a 2.49 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts over 47 innings this season. Over his three seasons with Tampa Bay, Adam has recorded a 2.30 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and a strikeout rate of 10.6 K/9 across 164 2/3 innings. He is earning $2.7 million this season and will be arbitration-eligible in 2025 and 2026.
This trade marks the third significant deal for the Rays before the deadline, following the trades of Randy Arozarena to the Seattle Mariners and Zach Eflin to the Baltimore Orioles.
“This was an extremely tough morning saying goodbye to Jason, who has meant so much to our organization on and off the field, but we are very excited to see these three guys we obtained from San Diego grow in our system,” said Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander, as reported by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
Dylan Lesko, the No. 5 prospect in the Padres’ system according to Baseball America, was the 15th overall pick in the 2022 draft. The 20-year-old has a 6.46 ERA and 1.54 WHIP over 69 2/3 innings in High-A this season.
J.D. Gonzalez, ranked as the No. 8 prospect, is an 18-year-old catcher selected in the third round of the 2023 draft. Gonzalez has played 48 games in Single-A, posting a .205/.322/.230 slash line with four doubles and 55 strikeouts.
Homer Bush Jr., the No. 12-ranked prospect in the Padres’ system, is hitting .272/.362/.347 with four home runs and nine stolen bases in 86 games in High-A.
This trade reflects the Rays’ ongoing efforts to strengthen their farm system while making strategic adjustments to their current roster.
