How the Rays Trade Deadline Moves Look One Week Later

Things are looking good for the Tampa Bay Rays since the MLB trade deadline.

Aug 8, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Tyler Wells (68) pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Tampa Bay Rays made several moves ahead of the MLB trade deadline to solidify their roster for the stretch run of the season and cement their status as the best team in the American League.

A week later, they have certainly succeeded in achieving that goal. The Rays are the hottest team in baseball, riding a seven-game winning streak as they have yet to be defeated on their nine-game West Coast trip. This streak started on Aug. 3, which was when the MLB trade deadline was, and the team has received immediate contributions from each player they acquired.

Starting pitcher Freddy Peralta, acquired from the New York Mets, has had a brutal schedule to begin his tenure. He pitched against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in his debut and then faced the Athletics at Sutter Health Park.

Two of the toughest places for pitchers to perform, and Peralta’s numbers took a hit as a result. He has a 9.31 ERA through 9.2 innings, which is far from ideal. However, he did give the team a quality start against the Athletics, battling through six innings and giving up three runs on six hits and one walk with five strikeouts.

Rays receiving contriubtions from Freddy Peralta, Tyler Wells, Liam Hicks

Aug 4, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) delivers a pitch in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Peralta looked to be figuring things out with his pitch sequencing, which was great to see. He was throwing more changeups against left-handed hitters, something to keep an eye on moving forward. With his next two starts scheduled to be at Tropicana Field, better days could be ahead.

Another pitcher acquired was Tyler Wells from the Baltimore Orioles. Back to being a relief pitcher, he is thriving out of the bullpen and is blowing away opponents since joining Tampa Bay.

All 8 of Tyler Wells' strikeouts with the Rays in his 4.1 IP: pic.twitter.com/yWePbs4PbA

— Running From The OPS (@OPS_BASEBALL) August 11, 2026

He has made three appearances, throwing 4.1 innings, allowing two hits and two walks to go along with eight strikeouts. Wells has a 0.78 FIP and has already produced 0.3 bWAR, looking like a deadline steal.

With Bryan Baker dominating as the closer, Wells will help bridge the gap to him as a late-inning, high-leverage option along with Garrett Cleavinger, Kevin Kelly and Cam Booser. If Baker isn’t available for whatever reason on a given day, Wells can operate as the closer, which he was doing with the Orioles after Ryan Helsley went down with an injury.

Last but not least, the acquisition people were arguably most excited about for the Rays was Liam Hicks. A catcher/first baseman from the Miami Marlins, he is under team control four years beyond the 2026 campaign and addresses their glaring need behind the plate and for power in the lineup.

He wasted no time making his presence felt, launching a grand slam in his first game with the Rays. Hicks has been everything the team had hoped, providing protection to All-Star third baseman Junior Caminero in the lineup.

Liam Hicks' first career grand slam and first hit with the Rays! pic.twitter.com/8dutjVg4Wg

— MLB (@MLB) August 5, 2026

Through 22 plate appearances, he has a .278/.409/.556 slash line with two doubles, one home run and six RBI. His approach fits right in, drawing three walks and striking out only once, rarely missing his pitch in the middle of the zone.

Tampa Bay certainly looks ready for an October run with their deadline acquisitions making immediate impacts on the field.