Rays Acquire Griffin Jax for Taj Bradley

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired reliever Griffin Jax from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for starting pitcher Taj Bradley in a major MLB trade deadline move. Jax, 30, is valued for his elite 36.4% strikeout rate and versatile pitch mix despite a 4.50 ERA, and he remains under team control through 2027. Bradley, 24, joins the Twins’ rotation with upside and is under contract through 2030, even after a challenging season with a 4.61 ERA. The Twins, having fallen out of playoff contention, continued a roster overhaul by trading away several key players. Analysts highlight Jax's strong underlying metrics and postseason experience as assets for the Rays' playoff run. The trade is seen as beneficial to both teams, with Tampa Bay strengthening its bullpen and Minnesota acquiring a starter with long-term potential.