In a minor league trade, the Athletics and Rays have exchanged some promising talent. Heading to Tampa Bay is infielder Cooper Bowman, while right-handed reliever Gerlin Rosario joins the A’s. Neither player has cracked the major leagues yet, nor are they on their teams' 40-man rosters.
Bowman is knocking on the door of the majors. At 26, he’s a versatile player who can handle second base and left field.
Originally picked up by the Reds in the 2024 Rule 5 draft, Bowman struggled in Spring Training, hitting just .120 over 13 games. After Cincinnati waived him, he returned to the A’s mid-camp.
Last season was tough for Bowman, with injuries and inconsistent performance leading to a .234/.328/.385 line in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.
Despite his challenges, Bowman’s past performance shows potential. Back in 2024, he posted a respectable .262/.351/.419 across the top minor league levels, and he’s known for his speed on the bases. He’ll start this season with Tampa Bay’s top affiliate in Durham, offering depth at second base as the Rays deal with injuries on their major league roster.
On the flip side, the A’s acquire Rosario, a 24-year-old reliever who spent last season at High-A Bowling Green. He impressed with a 2.27 ERA over 47 2/3 innings, though his strikeout rate was a modest 21.7%. Rosario is set to make his Double-A debut this year, marking a new chapter in his career.
This trade is a classic example of teams looking to bolster their depth with young, developing talent. Both Bowman and Rosario have shown flashes of potential, and their new environments might be just what they need to take the next step in their careers.