Rays trade bullpen ace Jason Adam to eager playoff hopeful San Diego Padres

The Tampa Bay Rays seemed destined to eventually trade right-hander Jason Adam this season, and it finally happened on July 28. Adam was exceptional in his tenure with the club; he had a 2.30 ERA and a 10-7 record in three years with the Rays. He will take his talents to the San Diego Padres, as the Rays have acquired prospects in return to bolster their farm system - right-hander Dylan Lesko, outfielder Homer Bush Jr., and catcher J.D. Gonzalez.

Who are these prospects the Rays acquired?

Right-hander Dylan Lesko was the No. 3 prospect for the San Diego Padres and No. 76 overall in the major leagues, per MLB Pipeline's preseason rankings. The Atlanta native pitched for the High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps in the 2024 season. He pitched 69.2 innings and struck out 79 batters while giving up 50 earned runs. Lesko underwent Tommy John surgery two seasons ago in his senior year of high school in Buford, Georgia. Despite the obstacles he's faced, hopefully he can make an impact for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Outfielder Homer Bush Jr. has been pretty solid in his past years as a professional baseball player. In his first professional season, he got called up last year to Double-A San Antonio Missions. He knocked twelve hits and three RBI in eight games at that level. This season, he played 86 games for the High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps in which he blasted four home runs and put up a .272/.362/.347 triple-slash. The son of former major leaguer Homer Bush looks to be a bright spot for the Rays.

Puerto Rican catcher J.D Gonzales is only 18 years old and has a bright future ahead of him. The Padres drafted Gonzales in the third round of the 2023 MLB Draft and signed him on July 20, 2023. Gonzales played for the winter league Puerto Rican team Gigantes de Carolina in the 2023 season. This season he played for the San Diego Padres minor league team the Lake Elsinore Storm and has some offensive pop to his defensive game, posting 31 RBI in 161 at-bats with a .979 fielding average.

The Tampa Bay Rays are doing a quick rebuild this season as they are looking to improve right away with the guys they acquired at this year's trade deadline. Their playoff hopes this season aren't extinguished, either.