SAN DIEGO ADDS ADAM
The San Diego Padres acquired pitcher Jason Adam from the Tampa Bay Rays for pitcher Dylan Lesko, outfielder Homer Bush Jr. and catcher J.D. Gonzalez.
What does it give the San Diego Padres
A back-end-of-the-bullpen arm was arguably the Padres' biggest need as they challenge for a wild card spot. Adam will fill that role perfectly. His career took off after joining the Rays and he has become one of the best setup men in the league ever since. This season, Adam has a 2.49 ERA while averaging over a strikeout per inning. When the Padres have a lead, expect Adam to get the ball in the eighth inning, with Robert Suarez pitching the ninth. That is a great duo to lean on during the stretch run.
What does it give the Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays got the Padres to pay a steep price here. Lesko is a 2022 first-round draft pick. He is a highly regarded prospect with high upside. The Rays are known for developing pitching, so he is in good hands as he continues to improve. Bush Jr. and Gonzalez were both drafted in 2023. Bush Jr. is known for his speed, as evidenced by his 43 steals this season. Gonzalez is a defense-first catcher. All three add to the prospect haul the Rays have accumulated during this trade deadline.
Fantasy impact
Adam owners should expect him to keep performing the way he has all season. Moving to the AL West, with more pitcher-friendly ballparks, should erase any concerns about him joining a new team. The most interesting prospect from a fantasy perspective is Lesko. In two or three years, he could be the next young arm to burst onto the scene in Tampa.
