Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Griffin Jax during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

If this seems like a Tampa Bay Rays’ type of thing to do, well, whatever it takes to win the next game on their schedule. Beginning August 2, the day prior to the trade deadline, and through the past week, manager Kevin Cash may have needed to double and triple check his inventory of available players. After all, the transactions were humming along at a rapid pace. Consider that the Rays:

* Acquired four players via trade.

* Traded one player from the active roster and dealt a bushel of prospects.

* Optioned three players to the minors.