Nathan Ray Seebeck and Charles LeClaire-Imagn Photos
The Rays have shuffled up their catchers just some days earlier than the commerce deadline, first sending their starter Danny Jansen to the Brewers together with some money in return for infielder Jadher Areinamo. Then, Tampa Bay adopted it up with a second swap, this time bringing in Nick Fortes from the Marlins for outfielder Matthew Etzel.
Whereas Jansen’s bat has fallen off considerably from his 2021-2023 seasons, when he posted a 120 wRC+ over 754 plate appearances for six.0 WAR, he’s nonetheless an sufficient a part of a catching tandem and gives the occasional round-tripper. He’s slashing .204/.314/.389 with 11 residence runs and a 98 wRC+ this season. His framing numbers have been down significantly the previous few years, as properly, sufficient to knock off slightly below a WAR per season or so from his total worth. Contemplating the Rays have been virtually sure to pay out Jansen’s $500,000 buyout relatively than choose up their facet of a $12 million mutual choice, this appears like them getting what they will whereas the getting was good.
Areinamo’s swing is fascinating to look at, one thing that my colleague Eric Longenhagen mentioned in his Rays prospect rundown. To me, his swing appears a bit like a cross between somebody swinging a claymore in a Sport of Thrones battlefield scene and Tremendous Macho Man establishing a punch within the authentic Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! for the Nintendo.
He’s an aggressive slap hitter who will discover an occasional homer, and he’s acquired vital time on the three non-first base infield positions. Milwaukee has been actually sluggish to advertise him, sending him again to Excessive-A regardless of a extremely stable 2024 offensive line. He’s not a powerful defender, however the Rays have an excellent document of discovering methods to make use of these Island of Misfit Toys-type gamers.
ZiPS Projection – Jadher Areinamo
12 months
BA
OBP
SLG
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
OPS+
WAR
2026
.247
.292
.365
515
58
127
26
1
11
58
33
88
12
83
0.5
2027
.250
.297
.374
527
61
132
27
1
12
61
35
87
12
87
0.9
2028
.252
.301
.377
531
63
134
28
1
12
63
37
86
11
89
1.1
2029
.255
.304
.384
505
61
129
27
1
12
62
36
80
10
92
1.3
2030
.258
.309
.389
488
60
126
26
1
12
60
36
76
9
95
1.4
2031
.259
.311
.393
471
59
122
25
1
12
58
36
72
8
97
1.5
Areinamo really will get a really younger Jose Altuve as his no. 2 comp statistically, but in addition plenty of gamers who’re far, far inferior to Altuve — Tommy Helms, Miguel Cairoand Luis Rivas are in all probability the perfect of the remainder of the highest 20.
The Brewers, in the meantime, introduced in Jansen to bolster their catching depth for the stretch run of the season. That is necessary contemplating the starter, William Contrerashas seen his bat disappear in his age-27 season, probably largely as a result of he’s been taking part in all 12 months with a damaged finger. Regardless of the ache, he’s nonetheless main all catchers in defensive innings. At this level, there’s no cause to consider Contreras goes to cease taking part in due to that finger; even so, Jansen represents a serious improve over present backup Eric Haase and will present high quality innings behind the plate each time Milwaukee decides to present Contreras a break. Jansen doesn’t immediately help the Brewers of their battle with the Cubs, however he’s a fairly low-risk participant who’s price having round.
The Rays, who stay within the thick of the AL Wild Card race, wasted no time in choosing up Fortes from the Marlins. He’s of comparable worth to Jansen however is available in a little bit of a special package deal: Fortes gives lots much less offense however far more protection.
Crucially, as a result of these are the Rays, he additionally comes with a lighter wage and three extra years of membership management earlier than he hits free company. It’s unlikely that Fortes will assume the beginning job, as Tampa Bay will in all probability use him and Matt Thaiss in a comparatively even timeshare. I additionally suspect that neither catcher might be on the roster subsequent 12 months. As a substitute, I feel there’s an excellent probability the group will take a severe have a look at Dominic Keegan in 2026, no less than as the top of a catching tandem. Keegan’s no elite prospect, however he appears like he’ll stick at catcher, even when he in all probability gained’t acquire any Gold Glove awards. He’s hit wherever he’s been because the Rays drafted him within the fourth spherical in 2022, and he has a 118 wRC+ for Triple-A Durham throughout 140 plate appearances this 12 months. Downside is, he additionally missed a lot of the first two months of this season with an elbow damage. Contemplating this, it makes extra sense to present him as a lot improvement time as doable in a full-time position within the minors this 12 months, relatively than calling him as much as be a part-time participant within the majors. Fortes isn’t an inspiring catcher, however the Rays know what they’ll get from him, and he’s exactly the kind of participant they want as they steadiness contending within the quick time period with long-term success.
ZiPS Projection – Nick Fortes
12 months
BA
OBP
SLG
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
OPS+
WAR
2026
.223
.283
.336
265
31
59
10
1
6
29
18
45
2
73
0.8
2027
.221
.281
.327
263
31
58
10
0
6
29
18
44
2
71
0.7
2028
.226
.287
.335
257
31
58
10
0
6
27
18
44
1
75
0.8
The Marlins don’t wish to spend cash, particularly not once they’re within the early levels of a rebuild, and Fortes was more and more wanting just like the odd man out and a doable non-tender candidate this fall. Miami has plenty of issues, however catching isn’t actually considered one of them. With the Marlins going nowhere this season, they’re rightly desirous about giving the power-hitting Agustín Ramírez as many alternatives as doable behind the plate to see if he can deal with catching on the main league stage. Joe Mack is true behind Ramírez, and there’s no query that he can deal with the defensive necessities of the place. And behind Mack is Ryan Ignoffo in Double-A, who appears like a extremely competent defensive catcher whose offense has but to hit a wall as he will get promoted by means of the minors.
Heading to the Marlins for Fortes is outfielder Etzel, a 2023 Orioles draft choose who was traded no less than 12 months’s deadline, together with two different prospects, to the Rays for Zach Eflin. Etzel is a little bit of an extended shot as a full-time starter, as his energy hasn’t actually developed, and for a participant who depends on having a stable batting common, he has relatively mediocre contact numbers. However he does boast above-average velocity and may no less than credibly play heart discipline even when it’s not his forte. It’s not out of the realm of probably that he reveals up for the Marlins in just a few years and will get some taking part in time as a reserve outfielder.
Zips Mission – Matthew Etzel
12 months
BA
OBP
SLG
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
OPS+
WAR
2026
.243
.318
.371
391
53
95
17
3
9
43
42
120
20
89
0.5
2027
.244
.319
.370
405
55
99
18
3
9
46
43
119
20
89
0.5
2028
.249
.324
.384
409
56
102
19
3
10
47
44
116
20
94
0.7
2029
.249
.322
.381
362
50
90
17
2
9
43
39
100
17
93
0.5
2030
.251
.325
.387
315
43
79
15
2
8
37
34
87
15
95
0.6
2031
.249
.324
.385
265
37
66
13
1
7
31
29
73
12
94
0.4
Supply hyperlink
