The Rays went into the deadline acting like a club ready to push chips in, and one of the headliners from that move wasted no time making his presence felt. Liam Hicks, acquired to help solve Tampa Bay’s issues behind the plate, blasted a 402-foot grand slam in just his second at-bat with the team.
That swing gave the newest Ray an immediate signature moment. Hicks, batting cleanup on Tuesday, gave Tampa Bay the kind of middle-of-the-order jolt the club has been searching for, especially with the team having struggled to get consistent production from the catcher spot in 2026. He’s also under team control through after the 2030 season, which makes the trade look like more than a short-term fix.
The grand slam only added to what Hicks had already put on his stat line. He entered the game hitting .286 with 15 home runs and 66 RBIs, numbers that leave him tied for second on the Rays in homers and third in RBIs. If he sticks in the cleanup role, the chances to keep padding those totals will be there.
Not every deadline addition has looked the part so far. Freddy Peralta, another new face, has had a rough night, giving up seven runs in 3.2 innings. Tampa Bay trailed 7-5 heading into the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies, so Hicks’ blast may need a few more big swings around it if the Rays want to finish the job.
Liam Hicks DRILLS it for his first career grand slam 😤
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 5, 2026
pic.twitter.com/1p752CXxXw
For now, though, the debut could hardly have gone much better. Hicks arrived as a deadline gamble, and early on, he’s looking like exactly the kind of impact bat Tampa Bay hoped it was getting.
In Other News...
Rays Added One More Outfielder But His Role Is The Real Story
The Rays added another name to their outfield mix late in the lead-up to the 2026 MLB trade deadline, bringing in Jack Suwinski from the Dodgers in a move that also sent Hunter Fuduccia and Jacob Kmatz out of the organization. Suwinski brings major league experience with him, but most of his time this season has come at the Triple-A level, which fits the kind of depth-and-flexibility approach Tampa Bay has long favored when it starts shopping near the deadline.
What makes the deal interesting for the Rays is less the addition itself than the role Suwinski might fill once he arrives. Tampa Bay has been active in the market, and this was its fourth move before the deadline, a sign the front office is still looking for useful pieces rather than just headline names. The club also added international bonus pool money in the trade, leaving the door open for more maneuvering as the deadline picture keeps taking shape. [Read more 🡒]
Rays Fans Will Have Strong Feelings About This Dodgers Deadline Deal
A late deadline move with a familiar feel sent Hunter Feduccia and Jacob Kmatz to Los Angeles as the Dodgers looked for help behind the plate and on the mound after injuries hit catchers Will Smith and Dalton Rushing. For Tampa Bay, it was another reminder of how quickly the roster churn can work this time of year, especially when a player like Feduccia comes full circle after already spending time in the Dodgers organization before landing with the Rays.
The return centered on outfielder Jack Suwinski and international bonus pool money, which gives Tampa Bay a different kind of asset to work with as it keeps managing both the present roster and the pipeline behind it. Kmatz, a recent Rays draft pick, adds another layer of short-term sting to the deal for fans who like to track the development side as closely as the major league results, and this one figures to prompt plenty of second-guessing on both ends. [Read more 🡒]
Rays Catcher Shuffle Created An Opportunity Kevin Piper Wont Forget
The Rays catching depth took another unexpected turn this week, and it opened the door for a moment Kevin Piper is not likely to forget. Tampa Bay had just acquired Liam Hicks from the Miami Marlins, only for Hicks to arrive in Denver a day late, and the club had also sent Hunter Feduccia to the Los Angeles Dodgers, leaving a temporary void behind the plate as the team settled in at Coors Field.
With the Rays needing coverage in a hurry, Piper was pulled from standby and given the kind of chance players wait around for. He was on the scene but still not officially called up when manager Kevin Cash reached out and got him over to the ballpark, and Piper ended up starting a game in one of baseballs most unpredictable settings. For a catcher caught in a sudden shuffle, it was the sort of assignment that can linger long after the trip ends. [Read more 🡒]