The Tampa Bay Rays are reportedly deep into talks with the Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates regarding a three-team deal that would send long time second baseman Brandon Lowe to the Pirates, while also considering a deal that would send Shane Baz to the Orioles.
The deal has not been finalized but there are a number of names floating around that present the general framework of the trade. The Rays would be sending Brandon Lowe, Mason Montgomery, and Jake Mangum to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates in turn would send RHP Mike Burrows to the Houston Astros. To complete the deal, Houston would send the Rays two key prospects in RHP Anderson Brito and CF Jacob Melton.
Brito is an undersized power-arm that can touch 100 mph who the Rays surely got a look of in the Arizona Fall League. Melton is a big league ready left handed hitting outfielder who was the top defensive OF prospect in Houston. In joining the Rays he would be presently blocked Josh Lowe and Chandler Simpson, along with newcomers Cedric Mullins and Jake Fraley. The 25-year old made his debut last season, hitting .157/.234/.186 over 78 PA, but crushed the ball in Triple-A, hitting .286/.389/.556.
Earlier this offseason, Ken Rosenthal reported that the Rays and Astros had preliminary discussions regarding Shane Baz, with the Rays being interested in Anderson Brito. Meanwhile, the Pirates have been in search of an impact bat for the middle of their lineup. Earlier this offseason Pittsburgh missed out on Kyle Schwarber and have been connected to Brandon Lowe ever since.
Trades within the AL East usually require a mild overpay for the acquiring team, so it will be interesting to see what the Orioles might have offered to be the highest bidder on Baz.
