Rays predicted to make 'big surprise' at trade deadline by rival MLB exec

The Tampa Bay Rays are one of the more interesting teams for the 2026 MLB trade deadline. Atop the AL East and the American League as a whole, the Rays are in great shape for a deep postseason run.

Their rotation is already great, they have some good reliever options, and their lineup is good as well. But at the 2026 trade deadline, the Rays could look to upgrade at second base, catcher, outfielder, bullpen, and rotation.

But, how aggressive does this team get? According to Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, one rival MLB executive predicted that the Rays would pull off a "big surprise" at the deadline by landing a top-tier player or two.

Rays could have 'big surprise' in store for MLB trade deadline

"I think the big surprise will be Tampa buying big. They're everywhere scouting," a rival MLB executive said.

The Rays being aggressive this summer at the trade deadline wouldn't be a huge surprise, as there's been speculation recently that they'd go big-game hunting at the trade deadline.

Back in 2023, they tried trading for Shohei Ohtani from the Los Angeles Angels. This summer, they could pursue some of the top names as well.

Mason Miller from the San Diego Padres and Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers would make a lot of sense for the Rays in a deal this summer. Those two would certainly be a surprise addition. CJ Abrams of the Washington Nationals could be a big help as well.

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All of the Rays' top trade targets will cost a fortune to acquire, but if the Rays are in the business of surprising Major League Baseball, they're going to have to move a ton of value in a trade to get a significant upgrade this summer.

Luis Arraez of the San Francisco Giants might not be a major surprise, but he'd be a very reasonable trade pickup for the Rays at the deadline. But, he might not be the kind of "big surprise" this MLB executive believes the Rays could pull off.

Skubal, Miller, Abrams, or some other elite players would better fit this description. While there's no guarantee the Rays land one of these top players, they're clearly involved in the trade market for those players.

Rays fans should be excited to see what their team will do at the deadline, as Tampa Bay could be pulling off a major blockbuster this summer to improve their World Series odds in a wide-open American League.

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