MLB News: August 3rd

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Padres Boost Bullpen by Acquiring Jason Adam from Rays in Trade for Prospects

The San Diego Padres have acquired right-hander Jason Adam from the Tampa Bay Rays, trading prospects Dylan Lesko, Homer Bush Jr., and J.D. Gonzalez in return. 

To make room for Adam on the roster, the Padres designated right-hander Glenn Otto for assignment. Meanwhile, the Rays reinstated Jeffrey Springs from the 60-day injured list to fill Adam’s spot.

The Excellent Reliever

Jason Adam has had a remarkable journey through multiple teams, including the Royals, Twins, Blue Jays, Cubs, and previously the Padres, before finding his stride with the Rays. 

Initially drafted by the Royals in 2010, Adam’s early career was marked by a 4.71 ERA over 78 1/3 innings in the majors, with a promising 27.9% strikeout rate but a concerning 11.4% walk rate. 

Adam’s performance drastically improved after joining the Rays in 2022. Over 170 appearances, he posted a 2.30 ERA, a 30.4% strikeout rate, an 8.3% walk rate, and a 44.7% ground ball rate. 

This season, he has maintained a 2.49 ERA in 47 appearances, with a 27.8% strikeout rate and a career-best 47.3% ground ball rate. His consistent performance, combined with his affordable salary, makes Adam a valuable addition to the Padres’ bullpen.

How Will Adam Help the Padres? 

The Padres’ bullpen has struggled this season, with a combined ERA of 4.19, placing them in the league’s bottom third. 

While relievers like Robert Suarez and Jeremiah Estrada have performed well, others, including Wandy Peralta and Enyel De Los Santos, have had difficulties. Peralta is currently on the injured list, further emphasizing the need for a reliable arm like Adam.

Adam’s modest salary is an asset for the Padres, who have made significant salary cuts, including trading Juan Soto to the Yankees. 

Despite these cuts, the Padres remain competitive, currently holding a National League Wild Card spot with a 57-50 record. Their CBT number is around $225 million, giving them some flexibility for further moves without exceeding the $237 million base threshold.

The Return for Tampa Bay 

In return, the Rays acquire promising prospects, with Dylan Lesko being the standout. Drafted 15th overall in 2022, Lesko has shown potential despite control issues, striking out 25% of batters but walking 16.5% in 69 2/3 innings at the High-A level. 

His performance has been erratic, with a 6.46 ERA, but he remains a highly regarded prospect, ranked #88 by FanGraphs and #76 by MLB Pipeline.

Homer Bush Jr., son of former big leaguer Homer Bush, was a fourth-round pick last year. Known for his speed and defense, Bush has a contact-based approach, hitting .290/.383/.379 with seven home runs and 65 steals in 130 minor league games. He is ranked 12th in the Padres’ system by Baseball America.

J.D. Gonzalez, a third-round pick last year, is currently ranked #8 in the Padres’ system. Despite hitting .205/.322/.230 in Single-A, Gonzalez is projected as a potential two-way player behind the plate.

The Rays, despite not being out of playoff contention with a 53-52 record, have decided to trade several established players for younger talent, capitalizing on a seller’s market. 

This strategy has seen them trade Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale, and Randy Arozarena, alongside Adam, for prospects. With the return of key players like Springs, Shane Baz, and Drew Rasmussen from injury, the Rays have depth to compensate for these moves.

The Padres’ acquisition of Adam bolsters their bullpen, crucial for their playoff push. As MLB Lines shift with this trade, the Padres look to remain competitive while managing their financial constraints. The Rays, meanwhile, continue to balance immediate competitiveness with long-term planning, adding promising prospects to their system.