The Tampa Bay Rays are at a crossroads as the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline approaches on July 31.
Sitting at 53-49 and 0.5 games out of the last AL Wild Card spot, their +66 run differential suggests they’re better than their record indicates, and could be in position for a playoff push.
With that in mind, here are three things I would do if I were the Rays at the trade deadline.
1. Do not trade any pitchers
With that run differential and plenty of pitchers on hand, you’d think the Rays would be in position to deal from a position of strength
on the pitching side of the roster. Indeed, regular trade speculation expects the team to flip arms like Zack Littell and closer Pete Fairbanks before the week is through, but with ace Shane McClanahan’s recent biceps soreness delaying his return from Tommy John surgery, and with Drew Rasmussen presumably on an innings limit, I’d rather hold pat on the pitching depth — after all, that’s what it’s there for!
Instead I’d like to suggest a more modest approach to upgrading the Rays for a playoff push through even more offense. Specifically, I’d like to see the Rays bolster their outfield — without depleting their pitching depth — by targeting inexpensive, high-upside players that can fill in for the weakest spots in the Rays lineup that are not playing premium defensive positions.
2. Trade for Kyle Stowers to Play Left Field
Player Background: Kyle Stowers, a 27-year-old left handed hitting outfielder for the Miami Marlins, has emerged as a 2025 All-Star after being traded from the Baltimore Orioles in 2024.
Drafted in the second round by Baltimore in 2019, Stowers struggled to secure consistent playing time, hitting .206 with a .671 OPS in limited MLB action from 2022-24. Since joining Miami, he’s thrived, posting a .295/.372/.565 slash line with 22 homers and a 156 wRC+ in 2025. His power and improved plate discipline make him a fit for the Rays’ left field, where they lack a consistent offensive presence.
Defensively Stowers has a cannon for an arm, but is limited in range, making left field the more appealing defensive home for him.
Why he’s inexpensive: Stowers is under team control through 2029, with a low salary in his pre-arbitration years, so finances are not an issue.
The Marlins, who are still re-building around young talent, may be open to trading him for multiple mid-tier prospects instead of demanding players from the top-10 in the system. Plus, the team’s former GM Peter Bendix should know the majority of the system well when looking for down ballot players to bet on.
How does he fit? The better question may be, “Is he a flash in the pan?” From a trade deadline perspective, I’m not sure that latter matters a great deal. The team’s previous two outfield flashes in the pan were Misner and Mangum, where Misner has already been optioned and Mangum’s bat has fallen off completely. The Rays are in need of an upgrade any way your slice it.
By moving on from Mangum as a starting outfielder, the Rays can have their pick between who better suits the bench between Mangum (who probably sticks around as a switch hitter), Christopher Morel (91 wRC+, -0.1 WAR), and speedy newcomer Stuart Fairchild (acquired yesterday).
3. Trade for Ramón Laureano to Play Right Field
Player Background: Ramón Laureano, a 31-year-old outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles, has bounced back in 2025 with a 138 wRC+ and .279/.341/.520 slash line, including 13 homers.
A former standout with the Oakland Athletics, Laureano’s career was derailed by injuries and a 2021 PED suspension, but his athleticism, arm strength, and power remain elite. A right-handed hitter comfortable in right field, his 2025 performance is a renaissance of his early 20’s that is surely overachieving Baltimore’s expectations. He is on a $4 million contract, coupled with a $6.5 million club option for 2026, which makes him an attractive trade target for the Rays, who have struggled to find a reliable corner outfielder to replace Randy Arozarena (traded at the 2024 deadline).
The Rays are already right bat-heavy, but Laureano doesn’t have extreme splits and should do fine against right-handed pitchers. Additionally, if you like Stowers arm, I would be remiss to not mention Laureano has equivalent arm strength.
Why He’s Inexpensive: Laureano’s age and expiring contract (with a team option) lower his trade value compared to younger, controlled players. The Orioles, struggling at 44-56 and in sell mode, are likely to move pending free agents like Laureano to contenders. The Rays could acquire him for a low-level prospect or two, avoiding the high costs of top-tier outfielders.
How does he fit? I’m sorry to say it, but the time has come to option Josh Lowe.
Lowe has battled injuries in 2025, playing less than 60 games so far with a .235/.308/.382 slash line and 6 homers. His speed and defense in right field are assets, and based on the roster construction the Rays need him to perform, but his injury history and inconsistent offense may be better indications that he needs some time and space to get right so he can be a better contributor for the team in 2026, 2027, and 2028. Plus, if things click back into place, he can rejoin the Rays when rosters expand on September 1.
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