Rays Acquire Nick Fortes from Marlins in Trade for Matthew Etzel

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays made significant changes to their roster on Monday by trading catcher Danny Jansen to the Milwaukee Brewers and acquiring catcher Nick Fortes from the Miami Marlins in separate deals.

The acquisition of Fortes comes after the Rays sent Jansen to the Brewers in exchange for infield prospect Jadher Areinamo. The team also traded outfielder Matthew Etzel to the Marlins for Fortes, indicating a strategic shift at the catcher position.

Fortes, 28, has struggled offensively in his major league career with a .225 batting average. However, the Rays are focused on his defensive skills, which are considered elite. He has recorded 17 Defensive Runs Saved in his career and is regarded as a strong framer by various analytics platforms.

Meanwhile, Jansen, a 30-year-old veteran, has had a more productive season with 11 home runs and a .204/.314/.389 line. He is in the final year of his contract, which is valued at $8.5 million. Fortes, on the other hand, is under team control through 2028 and will earn approximately $1.86 million this season, making him a more cost-effective option for the Rays.

With their record standing at 53-53, the Rays find themselves three games back in the playoff race. Team management is aiming to balance current competitiveness with future potential in these trades. The trade for Fortes aligns with the Rays’ long-term strategy of gaining valuable assets while maintaining a competitive edge this season.

For the Marlins, acquiring Etzel provides them with a promising outfield prospect. Etzel, 23, is currently on the injured list and has spent the year with Double-A Montgomery, where he recorded a .230 average and five home runs. The Marlins’ move reflects their intention to strengthen their future roster as well.

As the trade deadline approaches, both teams are looking to position themselves favorably for the remainder of the season and beyond.