REBUILD Mode: Tampa Bay Rays Trade Brandon Lowe & 2026 Season Takes MAJOR Step Back

Tampa Bay Rays shake up their future by trading away Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum, and Mason Montgomery, sacrificing immediate strength for long-term potential. The front office’s bold decision raises pressing questions: can the Rays bounce back in the AL East after losing key contributors, and will prospects like Jacob Melton and Anderson Brito deliver enough upside to justify the move?
Hosts Ulises and Kevin dissect Erik Neander’s strategy, the impact on the 2026 roster, and the challenges at second base with names like Richie Palacios, Chandler Simpson, and Jonathan Aranda in the mix. Hot topics include Yandy Díaz’s future, potential targets like Brendan Donovan and Ketel Marte, and whether the Rays can build a competitive core amid a division full of rising rivals. Will Tampa Bay’s aggressive rebuild pay off by the new ballpark era—or is another losing season on the horizon?
0:00 – Rays Trade Overview
10:00 – Neander’s Quotes & Team Direction
20:33 – Yandy Diaz’s Future

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11 comments

  2. I love B Lowe and at the same time I think this was a great move. I do not think we are blowing it up and waiting for 2029 there is a lot of baseball to be played between now and a new stadium.

  3. Still trying to process the changes over the weekend. The Shane Baz move is a little easier to understand. At best he is a #3 starting pitcher. Baltimore gave the Rays four prospects, which on paper sounds like an overpay. Having said that, prospects are just that until proven otherwise. What is a little more difficult to explain are the subtractions of Brandon Lowe and Jake Mangum. Mason Montgomery, I don't think is much of a game changer either way. Did not think it was necessary though to trade B. Lowe and Mangum. Especially Brandon Lowe coming off an All Star season. And Jake Mangum is not exactly making a fortune. Will have to learn more about the two players they received for them. Still waiting for the players the Rays received for Randy Arozarena to be major league ready.

    With regard to Ketel Marte, I was about 50/50 on whether the Rays should pursue him prior to B. Lowe being traded. Now it will be a major disappointment if they cannot trade for Marte or bring in at the very least Brendan Donovan. Second base is a gaping hole right now. Cannot imagine Jonathan Aranda, Richie Palacios, or Chandler Simpson filling that void. It is time to bring somebody in. The American League East is not getting any easier with the Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Orioles all improving. You have got to figure that the Yankees are going to make a splash. They always do. At this point, I have to agree with Ulises and Kevin that the Rays are rebuilding not retooling. The plan seems to be stockpile prospects, who the Rays hope will work out by the time the new ballpark is ready in 2028 or 2029.

  4. BLowe was 2 WAR, Baz 2 WAR, Mangum 2 WAR (but iffy on repeating), MMontgomery is superfluous but enticing. Not really subtracting much as Mullins = Mangum, and Seymour is likely to put up 2 WAR as Baz's replacement. We're slightly worse this year. Not by very much though.

  5. I can understand not wanting to listen to some of the most rose colored glasses types but idk you guys are kinda responding to the responses a little too much here. I don’t think you would be talking about Baz and Montgomery as like, sure pieces if they were still on the team. I totally agree with you guys on not waiting up for a huge trade, but when it comes down to it, this team is basically the same key variables as last year (Mac’s health, JLowe or outfield acquisition hitting, resetting pitch and defense to an actual strength, bullpen guys popping, Carson working or not working). Could be worse but could easily be better than last year if like two things break right and any level of Trop reset helps.

  7. Im right with you guys about watching this season differently now. I think Yandy has to go now. Having him half a season won't mean much and he has more value now so why not cash in and give someone young a shot.

  8. Marte doesn't fit our timeline or budget before the new stadium.
    Use this $ to extend Junior.
    Let Carson and Taylor play up the middle, Cedric man CF, and groom Melton to take over next year or more likely at the trade deadline.
    You have DeLuca/JLowe in the corners along w Simpson/Palacios who can mix in at 2B.
    Aranda 1B. Trade Yandy for an mlb ready arm w control.
    Pepiot/Rasmussen/Seymour/Boyle/Rock? for now w McClanahan again eventually, and Jax likely being brought along as their annual reliever to starter conversion.

  9. The Rays had Brito as Houston #1 prospect. His stuff looks great. I worry about his size 5'10 160lbs. Hard throwing small pitchers end up with shouldn't issues. ( not all ). Meltons metrics numbers are impressive.

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