The Tampa Bay Rays continued their offseason outfield overhaul on Friday, acquiring left-handed hitting outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. from the Miami Marlins. Mesa, 24, becomes the sixth lefty-swinging outfielder on the Rays’ 40-man roster - a clear sign that Tampa Bay is leaning into depth and flexibility as they reshape their outfield mix heading into spring training.
Mesa got his first taste of big-league action last season, appearing in 16 games and hitting .188. While that stat line doesn’t jump off the page, there’s more to his game than a small-sample batting average. Over the past two seasons in Triple-A, Mesa slashed .272/.335/.456 with 20 home runs, 81 RBIs, and a .791 OPS in 122 games - solid production that suggests there’s offensive upside still to unlock.
Defensively, Mesa brings value with his ability to play all three outfield spots. He’s a smooth, instinctive fielder with a strong arm and good reads off the bat. What’s more, he still has a minor-league option remaining, giving the Rays the flexibility to stash him in Triple-A Durham if the roster crunch gets tight - and make no mistake, it will.
Mesa joins a crowded group of left-handed outfielders that already includes veterans Jake Fraley and Cedric Mullins, as well as highly regarded prospect Jacob Melton. Add in speedy Chandler Simpson and versatile Richie Palacios, and that’s six lefty bats competing for what’s likely five roster spots.
On the other side of the plate, right-handed hitters Jonny DeLuca, Justyn-Henry Malloy, and Ryan Vilade are also in the mix. The competition is going to be fierce, and spring training will be pivotal in sorting out who breaks camp with the big club.
The Rays sent 19-year-old infielder Angel Brachi to Miami in the deal. Brachi, a Venezuelan prospect signed in early 2024 for $800,000, has shown promise in the Dominican Summer League, posting a .293 average and .747 OPS across two seasons. While he doesn’t bring much pop, his bat-to-ball skills and youth make him a worthwhile developmental piece for the Marlins.
Mesa’s baseball roots run deep. His father, Victor Mesa Sr., is a Cuban baseball legend, both as a player and manager.
Mesa Jr. signed with Miami in October 2018 for a $1 million bonus, the same year his older brother, Victor Victor Mesa, joined the Marlins for $5.25 million. While Victor Victor never reached the majors and last played professionally in 2023, Victor Jr. has now climbed that final rung - and the Rays are betting there’s more to come.
To make room on the 40-man roster, Tampa Bay designated infielder Brett Wisely for assignment. The left-handed hitter had just been brought in via a cash deal in January.
Wisely, originally a Rays prospect before being traded to the Giants in late 2022, was in the mix for a utility infield spot. But that opportunity narrowed when the Rays acquired right-handed infielder Ben Williamson from the Mariners earlier in the week.
The roster shuffle didn’t stop there. Left-handed starter Ken Waldichuk, who came over in the same deal as Wisely, was claimed off waivers by the Nationals on Thursday after being designated for assignment following the Williamson trade. It’s been a rapid-fire sequence of moves, but that’s nothing new for a Rays front office known for its relentless roster maneuvering.
Meanwhile, reliever Edwin Uceta scored a win in arbitration, securing a $1.525 million salary for the upcoming season - more than the $1.2 million the team had offered. Uceta, 28, has been a steady presence in the Rays bullpen, and his second half last season was particularly impressive.
Over his final 30 appearances, he posted a sparkling 1.70 ERA, racking up 54 strikeouts against just 11 walks in 37 innings. With Pete Fairbanks no longer in the picture after the team declined his option, Uceta figures to be a key piece in high-leverage situations alongside Griffin Jax and lefty Garrett Cleavinger.
In typical Rays fashion, this is all about optionality, depth, and creating internal competition. Mesa may not be a lock for the Opening Day roster, but he adds another intriguing piece to an outfield puzzle that’s still being assembled. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned from watching Tampa Bay build rosters over the years, it’s that no move is made in isolation - each is a calculated step in a larger plan.