ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – When the season began, four teams, pundits believed, would remain competitive for the AL East division title. Bunched in a spirited race to the top, there was thought to be little edge or advantage to any team.
Of the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles, separation was considered marginal. The Tampa Bay Rays, the other AL East team in the division, traversed through the past two seasons missing the post-season and that was after five consecutive runs of qualifying for the playoffs. The consensus held the Rays would be an after-thought in the final division outcome.
With little power at the plate, a marginal starting rotation and uncertainty among relievers, the Rays were given little hope of survival.
Then, four months of the unexpected. The Rays managed to surge to the top of the division and by the trading deadline of Aug. 3, possessed the best record in the American League.
Looking at the prospect of competing for another post-season run, principal needs were improvements in the starting rotation and an upgrade behind the plate.
“When this started, there were four teams under serious consideration and we were not one,” president of baseball operations Erik Neander told reporters in a zoom call after the trading deadline closed on Aug. 3. “What we have done has proven people wrong.”
Based on trades Neander made at the deadline, the hope is the Rays will continue to surprise people. Given those needs on the mound and behind the plate, the Rays appeared to make improvement. At this time of the year, it’s all about execution.
To assist in the rotation, down to two in right-handers Drew Rasmussen and Nick Martinez, the Rays added veteran Freddy Peralta from the Mets and potential starter Tyler Wells from the Orioles.
To increase production behind the plate, the Rays acquired left-hitting Liam Hicks from the Marlins. In a surprising trade, Miami was 1.5 games out of the final NL wild card race on Aug. 3 and Hicks was batting .282 in 101 games with 14 homers and driven in 62 runs.
His acquisition immediately sent center Hunter Feduccia, from the Rays, to the Dodgers. Now, Nick Fortes (.278, four homers, 28 RBIs in 83 games) and Hicks give the Rays instant improvement from the catching position.
“(Hicks) is a perfect complement to what he have,” Neander said in reference to Fortes, a right-handed hitter. “This was not an easy guy to get.”
With the acquisitions of Peralta, Hicks and Wells, the Rays parted with a plethora of prospects. In the end, Neander pointed out, there is no guarantee to the future of these players but if the Rays were to remain competitive in the pennant race, immediate assistance was imperative.
Through the attempt to improve, Neander said he was cognizant of how the Rays surged to the top of the AL East food chain. The factors of a strong bullpen, power from Junior Caminero, effective use of “the opener” when starters went down and a strong, emotional bond throughout the clubhouse have contributed, through the opening four months, to success.
“This group is so committed,” Neander added. “I didn’t want to overlook this important factor. I think what we did was a kind of instant gratification.’
Perhaps the “x” factor is Peralta.
Two-time National League All-Star with Milwaukee, he struggled after being traded by the Brewers to the New York Mets this past off-season. For 2026, the 30-year-old out of the Dominican Republic, was 5-9 with the Mets and a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts. At the time of the trade to Tampa Bay, Peralta was winless in the last seven New York starts and that included 0-4 and three no-decisions.
“We need Peralta to be the Peralta he was with Milwaukee,” Neander said. “We know his track record.”
In Wells, the Rays pick up a pitcher who has started and worked out of the bullpen. Originally a 15th round by Minnesota in 2016, he was selected by Baltimore in the Rule 5 selection in 2020. During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, he worked as a starter and this season, called upon as a reliever.
However, Wells has a recent history of injuries.
In 2025, he had elbow surgery and experienced right shoulder discomfort during a game on this July 18 in Houston. If healthy, he could give relivers Kevin Kelly, Garrett Cleavinger, Casey Lagumina, Steven Matz, Ian Seymour and Chris Raycroft needed periods of rest.
“We made moves which we hope will help us,” Neander said. “Wherever this takes us, takes us.”
