First, the Rays traded second baseman Brandon Lowe, outfielder Jake Mangum and reliever Mason Montgomery to the Pirates as part of a three-team trade, receiving pitching prospect Anderson Brito and outfielder Jacob Melton from the Astros. Then the Rays traded pitcher Shane Baz to the Orioles and received a quartet of prospects – outfielders Slater de Brun and Austin Overn, pitcher Michael Forret and catcher Caden Bodine – and the Orioles Competitive Balance Round A draft pick.
The Rays traded away significant talent. Lowe was an All-Star in 2025 and belted 31 home runs as he reached the 30-homer plateau for the second time in his career. However, Lowe only has one year of team control left. Montgomery is a lefty power figure in the bullpen who fired a fastball in the 1990s. Mangum was a 29-year-old rookie, but stole 27 bases while performing well defensively. Baz was an erratic talent, showed top potential, but struggled with injuries.
Tampa Bay Rays are making significant returns in pair trades
However, these trades have set the Rays up for the future. Brito, de Brun, Forret and Melton all play as top-10 prospects in the Rays system, according to MLB.com. Bodine (13th) and Overn (22nd) are also on the Rays top-30 prospects list.
Melton struggled during a 30-game tryout in Houston, posting a .157/.234/.186 batting line with just one extra base hit. However, he fits the Rays profile: a plus runner who can steal bases and hit for power while being able to play all three outfield spots.
De Brun fits in the outfield on the opposite side of the Rays’ preferences. Although he has yet to make his professional debut, he has is praised due to his ability to make contact and his strong batting eye, which allowed him to get on base and use his plus speed. De Brun is considered a plus defender and should be the Rays future at center.
The biggest prizes in the pair could be the two pitching prospects. British is considered to have a few plus offerings in his mid-90s fastball that can reach 99 mph and a sweeping two-plane slider. His curve has flashed plus and has promising depth. Brito also introduces a promising change, but it’s still a work in progress. The biggest question is his durability: Brito pitched just 61 innings between A-ball and the Arizona Fall League due to injuries. His control wavered as the season progressed, increasing his potential reliever risk.
Forret, meanwhile, seems likely to stay in the rotation. While he does not have any plus offerhe has a strong arsenal with a mid-90s four-seam fastball and a sinking two-seam, two different sliders and a pair of changeups, one of which has more of a splitter motion. Forret possesses impressive command of his arsenal, which allowed him to reach Double-A as a 21-year-old. If he can continue to dominate in the minors, Forret could make his major league debut next season.
There was a time when it felt like the Rays were winning every trade they made, trading established Major League players or prospects at the right time to maximize their value. That reputation has taken a hit in recent years, especially when the Rays fell in the standings in 2024 and 2025. Friday’s action could change the narrative again, as the Rays gained an impressive prospect to complement their system.
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