Rays add two prized pitchers at trade-deadline buzzer

In the deal with Minnesota, the Rays sent 24-year-old starter Taj Bradley in exchange for Jax, a 30-year-old bullpen arm known for his elite strikeout ability. Jax has recorded a 4.50 ERA with 72 strikeouts over 46 innings this season — his highest ERA since his rookie season in 2021. His advanced metrics are still eye-catching despite the high ERA: a 36.4% strikeout rate, 41.1% chase rate and 38.8% whiff rate. Under team control through 2027, Jax projects as a valuable long-term bullpen asset for Tampa Bay. Although primarily a reliever, early speculation suggests he could be transitioned into the starting rotation.

Jax’s pitch arsenal features a lively 92.3 mph changeup that neutralizes left-handed hitters, a high-octane four-seam fastball averaging 97 mph and a mid-90s sinker — all setting the stage for his off-speed deception led by a signature 88.1 mph sweeper, which he throws nearly half the time. Despite a high ERA, his advanced metrics remain eye-catching: a 36.4% strikeout rate, 41.1% chase rate and 38.8% whiff rate. With that level of swing-and-miss stuff and a starter’s pitch mix, speculation is mounting that Jax could be transitioned into Tampa Bay’s rotation, making him one of the most intriguing arms under team control through 2027.

For Houser, the Rays sent first baseman Curtis Mead and pitching prospects Ben Peoples and Duncan Davitt to Chicago. Houser, 32, is in a resurgent 2025 season following a rocky stint in 2024 with the Mets, where he posted a 5.84 ERA and 1.53 WHIP across 23 appearances (seven starts). This year, Houser has flipped the script, delivering a stellar 2.10 ERA and a 6-2 record over 11 starts with Chicago.

Houser relies on a more classic, contact-oriented pitch mix built for ground-ball efficiency. Anchored by a heavy sinker averaging 94.2 mph and thrown 45.6% of the time, his arsenal is rounded out with a curveball, changeup, four-seam fastball and cutter — all used in relatively equal measure to complete the remaining 54.4%.

Despite currently sitting fourth in the American League East, the tightly packed AL standings have the Rays just 3.5 games out of a wild-card spot.