The Rays’ deadline activity didn’t flip their fortunes, but it did shuffle their upside and how fantasy managers should look at August. The Athletic pegs Tampa Bay at No. 15 in power rankings as the team added Adrian Houser to bolster the rotation, while also juggling a multi-team swap that shuffled catcher talent and infield depth. The moves are described as a rare, almost paradoxical mix of buyer-and-seller instincts that sum to a net effect that may feel like a wash as the stretch run begins.

Key trades included Danny Jansen leaving and Nick Fortes coming aboard, Zack Littell moving out in a three-team deal for Hunter Feduccia, and José Caballero traded for Everson Pereira. Curtis Mead was sent away for Houser, Taj Bradley for Griffin Jax, all underscoring the Rays’ philosophy of flexible asset allocation rather than a core rebuild. Entering August, Tampa Bay sits 11 games back of Toronto and four ahead of Baltimore, a classic August “dog days” setup where momentum—and fantasy value—will matter more than ever.

From a fantasy lens, the Houser addition stands out as a potential anchor for the back of the rotation, while the trades at catcher and infield may shuffle lineups and playing time in ways that elevate some players and suppress others. If the Rays can find a new gear in August, Houston-like depth and defensively oriented pieces could emerge as best bets for streaming starts and potential saves opportunities behind a veteran group.