Rays Get Fortes from Marlins, Move Jansen

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired catcher Nick Fortes from the Miami Marlins in exchange for minor league outfielder Matthew Etzel, the Rays' No. 28 prospect, as the MLB trade deadline approaches. Fortes, 28, has a career .225 batting average with 25 home runs and 96 RBIs over five seasons, and brings strong defensive skills and three years of team control to Tampa Bay. The move follows the Rays’ trade of veteran catcher Danny Jansen to the Milwaukee Brewers for infield prospect Jadher Areinamo, reflecting a strategic roster reshuffling. Etzel hit .230 with five home runs and 34 RBIs for Double-A Montgomery before an injury sidelined him. The Marlins made the trade partly due to the emergence of young catchers Agustin Ramirez and Liam Hicks, which limited Fortes' playing time. Analysts see the swap as a lateral move for Tampa Bay, which remains three games out of a wild card spot.