Tampa Bay Rays and Kansas City Royals Intertwined History

The next trade of mention happened in 2004. Did you know Jose Bautista was a Tampa Bay Devil Ray? Yes, that Jose Bautista, Joey Bats himself. But this was well before he was known as Joey Bats.

Bautista was claimed on waivers by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on June 3rd, 2004. He went on to play 12 games with the Rays that June, going 2-for-12 at the plate, with one RBI.

On June 28th the Royals sent the most traded item in MLB history to the Devil Rays, cash considerations in exchange for Joey Bats. Thus ended his time with the Devil Rays.