The 2022 MLB trade deadline has come and gone, and the Rays kept most of their moves under-the-radar in usual Rays fashion. They were rumored to be in the mix for All-Star catcher Wilson Contreras, but the Cubs ultimately decided to keep him in Chicago. Erik Neander and the Rays front office made a combination of moves that would help them contend for a playoff spot now and in the future, as they made an emphasis on acquiring guys with team control.

Christian Bethancourt

One of the earlier trades in the 2022 trade "season", the Rays acquired C Christian Bethancourt from the Athletics on July 9 for prospects Cal Stevenson and Christian Fernandez. From the second this trade broke, the motive behind this trade was clear: Bethancourt consistently hits the ball hard and the Rays were in dire need of a catcher to play alongside Francisco Mejia. Unfortunately for Tampa Bay, Bethancourt hasn't panned out through his first three weeks with the club, as he has hit just .160 with a .472 OPS and below-average defense as the team's backup catcher. Rene Pinto, who is only with the Rays because starting catcher Francisco Mejia is currently on the IL, is even getting reps over Bethancourt. On the positive side, Bethancourt isn't a free agent until 2026, so he still has plenty of time to figure it out with Tampa Bay.

David Peralta

Their biggest "win-now" move, the Rays acquired OF David Peralta from the Diamondbacks on July 30 for prospect Christian Cerda.

With outfielders Kevin Kiermaier, Harold Ramirez, and Manuel Margot on the IL, along with Josh Lowe and now Baltimore Oriole Brett Phillips struggling mightily at the plate, the Rays were in dire need of an outfielder that could hit. Although he isn't Juan Soto, David Peralta is certainly a "plus" bat that can slot into the heart of Tampa Bay's lineup. Peralta, 34, is a free agent at the end of the season, and is almost certain to test the market rather than sign an extension with the Rays in the offseason. Playing in his 9th career MLB season, Peralta brings a veteran presence that this offense is in desperate need of along with a solid bat, similar to the Nelson Cruz trade last season. Fortunately for the Rays front office, they didn't have to give up nearly as much for Peralta as they did for Cruz, as the Minnesota Twins received rookie starter Joe Ryan along with AAA prospect Drew Strotman in the deal.

Jose Siri

The move that Rays fans should be most excited for, Jose Siri was acquired from the Astros on Aug. 1 as part of a three-team trade that included Trey Mancini going to Houston. In return, the Rays gave up 6th ranked prospect Seth Johnson to Baltimore and AA pitcher Jayden Murray to the Astros. Siri burst onto the scene in 2021 when he made his MLB debut, as he hit .304 with a .956 OPS in 21 games with the Astros. In a relatively small sample size in 2022, however, Siri hasn't found the same success, as he is hitting just .178 with a .542 OPS in 48 games.

Siri has still had the same success at the plate with AAA, as he hit .296 with an eye-opening 1.121 OPS in 16 games with Houston's AAA affiliate this season. The best part of this deal for Tampa Bay is Siri's contract, as he doesn't even hit arbitration until 2025 and isn't a free agent until 2028. With Kevin Kiermaier's career as a Ray likely over, Jose Siri may very well be Tampa Bay's center fielder of the future.

Garrett Cleavinger

Definitely the most under-the-radar move from the Rays at the 2022 deadline, do not let Cleavinger go unheard of. Acquired from the Dodgers on Aug. 1 for minor leaguer German Tapia, Cleavinger gets great movement from a uniquely-low arm slot and late action from his curveball and slider. Cleavinger struggled in a very small sample size with the Dodgers this season, but has lit up AAA in 2022, as he has struck out 37.9% of batters faced. Don't be surprised to see Cleavinger join Tampa Bay's bullpen somewhere along the line.