The Tampa Bay Rays are reportedly deep in talks with the Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates on a three-team deal that would send former second baseman Brandon Lowe to the Pirates, while also considering a deal that would send Shane Baz to the Orioles.
The deal has not yet been finalized, but there are a number of names floating around that represent the general framework of the trade. The Rays would send Brandon Lowe, Mason Montgomery and Jake Mangum to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates would in turn send RHP Mike Burrows to the Houston Astros. To complete the deal, Houston would send the Rays two key prospects: RHP Anderson Brito and CF Jacob Melton.
Brito is an undersized power arm who can reach 100 mph that the Rays have certainly seen in the Arizona Fall League. Melton is a big league-ready left-handed outfielder who was the top defensive OF prospect in Houston. If he were to join the Rays, he would currently be blocked from Josh Lowe and Chandler Simpson, along with newcomers Cedric Mullins and Jake Fraley. The 25-year-old made his debut last season and hit .157/.234/.186 over 78 PA, but crushed it in Triple-A, hitting .286/.389/.556.
Earlier this season, Ken Rosenthal reported that the Rays and Astros had preliminary discussions about Shane Baz, with the Rays interested in Anderson Brito. Meanwhile, the Pirates have been looking for an impact bat for the middle of their lineup. Earlier this season, Pittsburgh missed Kyle Schwarber and has since been linked to Brandon Lowe.
Transactions within the AL East usually require a mild overpayment for the acquiring team, so it will be interesting to see what the Orioles may have offered to be the highest bidder for Baz.
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