In a significant move aimed at bolstering their bullpen for the playoff push, the San Diego Padres have acquired right-handed reliever Jason Adam from the Tampa Bay Rays. The deal, finalized on Sunday, saw the Padres send three of their top prospects to the Rays: right-hander Dylan Lesko, outfielder Homer Bush Jr., and catcher J.D. Gonzalez.
Jason Adam, 32, brings a wealth of experience and a strong track record to the Padres. This season, he has been a key part of the Rays’ bullpen, posting a 4-2 record with four saves and an impressive 2.49 ERA in 47 relief appearances. Over his career, Adam has a 16-11 record with 24 saves and a 3.07 ERA across 249 relief appearances. He has previously played for the Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, and the Rays. His addition is expected to provide the Padres with a reliable arm in high-leverage situations as they aim for a deep postseason run.
In return for Adam, the Padres parted with three highly regarded prospects.
Dylan Lesko: Ranked as the Padres’ No. 3 prospect by MLB.com, Lesko, 20, was the 15th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. Currently playing for High-A Fort Wayne, Lesko has struggled this season, recording a 1-9 record with a 6.46 ERA in 16 starts. Despite his struggles, Lesko’s potential and talent have kept him highly valued as a future major league starter.
Homer Bush Jr: The 22-year-old outfielder, ranked as the Padres’ No. 8 prospect, has been showcasing his skills with the High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps. This season, Bush is batting .272 with four home runs and 17 RBIs in 86 games, demonstrating his potential as a versatile outfielder with a solid batting average and defensive capabilities.
J.D. Gonzalez At 18 years old, Gonzalez is the Padres’ No. 12 prospect and is currently playing for Single-A Lake Elsinore. He has shown promise despite a .205 batting average, contributing 31 RBIs in 48 games. Gonzalez is regarded as a young catcher with significant room for growth and development in his game.
To make room for Jason Adam on the roster, the Padres designated right-hander Glenn Otto for assignment. Otto, who had struggled to find consistency, will now be subject to waivers, giving other teams the opportunity to claim him or for him to be outrighted to the minor leagues if he clears waivers.
This trade highlights the Padres’ commitment to strengthening their bullpen in preparation for a playoff run. Jason Adam’s proven track record and strong performance this season make him a valuable addition to the team. However, the price of acquiring Adam was steep, as the Padres parted with three of their top prospects, indicating the high stakes and urgency in their pursuit of postseason success. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Adam’s impact in San Diego and the development of the new Rays’ prospects in Tampa Bay.