With spring training just around the corner, the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins made a low-key but intriguing move on Friday, swapping young talent that could pay dividends down the road. The Rays acquired outfielder Victor Mesa from the Marlins in exchange for infielder Angel Brachi. To clear space on the 40-man roster, Tampa Bay designated infielder Brett Wisely for assignment.
Let’s start with Mesa. The 24-year-old got his first taste of the majors in 2025, logging 16 games with the Marlins.
The results weren’t eye-popping, but that’s not unusual for a young player adjusting to big-league pitching. Where Mesa really showed his potential was in Triple-A, where he posted a .301/.368/.510 slash line over 42 games.
That kind of offensive production - especially the .510 slugging - jumps off the page and suggests there’s more in the tank if he can translate it to the next level.
Mesa, a left-handed hitter, brings more than just a promising bat. He’s also a strong defender in the outfield, giving the Rays a versatile option who can impact the game on both sides of the ball.
Tampa Bay has a knack for maximizing value from players with untapped potential, and Mesa fits that mold. If his bat continues to trend upward, he could be knocking on the door of regular playing time in the near future.
On the flip side, Miami gets Angel Brachi, a shortstop who’s still early in his development but has already flashed some exciting tools. He spent the last two seasons in Rookie Ball with the Rays organization, and his 2025 numbers were impressive: a .337 average, .453 on-base percentage, and 17 stolen bases in just 51 games.
That kind of plate discipline and speed combination is hard to ignore, even at the lower levels. For the Marlins, this is a long-term play - Brachi isn’t knocking on the big-league door just yet, but he’s the type of prospect who could grow into a valuable piece if his development continues on this trajectory.
Neither team has made major splashes this offseason, but both have been quietly active in rounding out their depth charts. This trade is a classic example of that - a seemingly minor move that could turn into something more significant if either player hits their stride.
For the Rays, Mesa represents a near-ready talent who could help soon. For the Marlins, Brachi adds another intriguing name to their system with upside to dream on.
Time will tell who gets the better end of this deal, but for now, it’s a smart, calculated swap between two clubs looking to build from the ground up - and maybe, just maybe, strike gold in the process.