The Tampa Bay Rays have completed a trade to bolster their pitching staff, acquiring right-hander Alex Faedo from the Detroit Tigers. The deal, finalized on Monday, sees the Tigers receive 20-year-old minor league catcher Enderson Delgado and cash.
Faedo, 29, was designated for assignment last week as the Tigers needed to create room on their 40-man roster for new relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle. This designation meant Faedo would have likely been claimed off waivers had the Rays not acted quickly to trade for him.
Throughout the previous season, Faedo was reasonably effective, posting a 3.61 ERA with 55 strikeouts over 57⅓ innings across 37 games. Despite these positive numbers, his performance was overshadowed by questions about his status on the roster—he no longer had minor league options, which significantly limited the Tigers’ flexibility with player rotation.
Before trading him, the Tigers had drafted Faedo with the No. 18 overall pick during the 2017 MLB Draft, hoping he would develop as part of their pitching core alongside other prospects like Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal. Faedo’s career has encountered rocky patches, including Tommy John surgery and subsequent injuries, which delayed his return to the field until 2022. During his time with the Tigers, he transitioned from starting pitcher roles to relief duties, showcasing versatility as he sought to find his place on the staff.
Having spent the majority of 2024 as part of the bullpen, Faedo now heads back to his hometown of Tampa with the hopes of solidifying his role within the Rays. The team is expected to utilize Faedo as they navigate their pitching strategy, potentially leaning more heavily on his slider, which has historically been his most effective pitch. Previously, he threw the slider nearly 40 percent of the time, significantly more than his four-seam fastball, which remains less reliable.
On the other side of the deal, the Tigers have brought on Enderson Delgado, who played last season at Low-A Charleston. Delgado, described as defensively savvy, reported a .255 batting average with four home runs, but his overall offensive potential is moderate at best. Despite being average at the plate, his defensive skills are valued, and the Tigers foresee him developing adequately to potentially serve as depth behind the plate.
Scott Harris, the Tigers’ president of baseball operations, expressed the difficulty of trading Faedo, acknowledging his status as a popular teammate and contributor. “Alex is a really talented pitcher and has gotten some big outs for us,” Harris said. “We didn’t want to make this move, but our 40-man roster is becoming more competitive.” This reflects the Tigers’ ambition to improve as they fumble with roster configurations, especially with pending signings.
While Faedo’s role with the Rays is still to be decided, it’s likely he could serve as both multi-inning relief and potentially spot-starting opportunities should other pitcher injuries derail the team’s plans. The Rays, coming off a less-than-stellar season marked by an 80-82 record, will look to improve their standings with this acquisition as they gear up for the next season.
Delgado, though not among the Rays’ top prospects, holds the potential for growth within the Tigers’ system. He was initially signed as an international free agent and has shown signs of improving his game. The expectation is for him to develop gradually, possibly stepping up as Atlético-Catching depth as needed.
This trade symbolizes broader changes as MLB teams assess their rosters post-season. For Alex Faedo, it signifies not only a return home but also the opportunity for revitalization and renewed purpose within his baseball career. Meanwhile, Delgado enters the Tigers’ system as they continue their strategic revamp to build competitive depth, particularly as the offseason progresses.