San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays decided to start Sunday morning with a bang, sealing a deal for experienced reliever Jason Adam. Breaking the news, MLB insider Robert Murray of FanSided took to social media to announce the trade.
Trade alert: The San Diego Padres are bringing in reliever Jason Adam from the Tampa Bay Rays, subject to a medical review, as per sources familiar with the deal.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) July 28, 2024
In return for the right-handed pitcher, the Padres parted with prospects Dylan Lesko, Homer Bush Jr., and JD Gonzalez to Tampa Bay. Insider Joel Sherman shared Tampa Bay’s acquisitions from the deal with the Padres.
Jason Adam moves from Rays to Padres in exchange for Dylan Lesko, Homer Bush Jr., and JD Gonzalez.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 28, 2024
The Rays secured a significant haul with Lesko, the Padres’ No. 3 prospect, Bush at No. 8, and Gonzalez ranking at No. 12, according to @MLBPipeline.
Despite the sizable offer, Adam’s standout performance this season for the Rays justified the Padres’ investment. With an impressive 2.49 ERA over 47 appearances, Adam boasted 50 strikeouts and a 0.89 WHIP.
Lesko’s career is in its early stages, having pitched only in Single-A, where he posted a 6.46 ERA in 16 starts. As a former first-round pick (No. 15 overall) by the Padres in the 2022 MLB Draft, he possesses a fastball reaching 98 mph, his changeup being his weapon against batters.
Bush, who also started in Single-A, boasts a batting average of .272 with four home runs and 16 RBIs. He exhibits strong defensive instincts in the outfield, hinting at a promising future in the big leagues.
At just 18 years old, Gonzalez played for the Padres’ Single-A affiliate, hitting .205 with 35 RBIs and no home runs. Known for his powerful arm behind the plate, Gonzalez, emerging from Puerto Rico in 2023, is a noteworthy prospect in the MLB Pipeline.
Seeking bullpen support, the Padres pursued Adam to reinforce their team. With a current record of 57-50, the Padres are on the rise and preparing for the upcoming trade deadline, aiming to compete with rivals like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies. The team’s solid performance hints at a strong presence in the crucial phase of the MLB season.
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