Rays Reportedly Trade for Brewers All-Star Slugger Jesus Aguilar
By Adam Weinrib
Thus far, the biggest buyers at the MLB Trade Deadline have been two NL also-rans and an American League contender that usually doesn't spend. Make of that what you will!
The Tampa Bay Rays, already relatively stocked with mashers, just swiped a 2018 All-Star from the Milwaukee Brewers, also certainly in the hunt in the NL Central and Wild Card race.
Slugger Jesus Aguilar, recently hot and a destroyer of lefties, will now call Tropicana Field home.
First baseman Jesus Aguilar has been traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Tampa Bay Rays, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2019
In return, the Rays surrendered swingman Jacob Faria, cutting into their pitching depth a bit.
Right-hander Jacob Faria is headed back to the Milwaukee Brewers in the Jesus Aguilar deal, a source tells ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2019
Always ones to look into advanced metrics, it doesn't take much of a deep dive to justify this one for the Rays: Aguilar's been destroying the baseball in a small sample size in July, following a .274 season with 35 homers and 108 RBI last year.
The Rays have been hunting for a right-handed bat leading up to the 4 p.m. deadline, and Jesus Aguilar, an All-Star last season, is the answer. Limited sample alert: After struggling much of the season, Aguilar is hitting .298/.346/.574 in 52 July plate appearances.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2019
Aguilar can be a DH now, something he seemed ticketed for back in the day during his Cleveland Indians years, and the Rays just thickened their lineup in the way they once intended to during their ill-gotten Edwin Encarnacion pursuit.
As for the Brewers, they're banking on having enough in the tank without their slugger.