3 Former Rays the Team Should Re-Acquire

2. Jesus Aguilar

Jesus Aguilar was only with the Rays for half a season in 2019 and didn't suit up for any of the 6 postseason games they played that year, departing from the team via waivers just a year after belting 35 home runs, but he's worth pursuing again. The former all-star has a small but notable sample of recording clutch hits in the playoffs and has a respectable .769 OPS in 3 seasons with the Marlins since his short-lived tenure in St. Pete.

Aguilar is only 32 years old and would platoon well as a right-handed batter with Ji-Man Choi as a 1B/DH type (Choi doesn't play against lefty pitchers very much). The Rays have been giving Isaac Paredes and Harold Ramirez reps at first base, both of whom have been bright spots offensively, but they might be better off at their natural positions at second base and corner outfield respectively. This is because Vidal Brujan and Taylor Walls have been on the Major League roster in the absence of Brandon Lowe, and neither of them have done much of anything with the bat. Demoting one of them and trading for a hitter such as Aguilar would help the team score more runs.

The Marlins, while having made strides as an organization, still project to sell at the trade deadline, and Aguilar has technically been a below-average hitter (98 OPS+) this year, but that's still a steep upgrade over what some of the Rays' infielders have produced this season. He could be a welcome depth or platoon addition that would bring veteran leadership to the club, both on and off the field.