MIAMI: Liam Hicks of the Miami Marlins looks on against the San Diego Padres in the ninth inning of the game at loanDepot park on July 25, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Of all the catchers the Rays have traded for in recent years, Liam Hicks stands out because he is a clear upgrade. True, the 27-year-old Toronto native has kicked around since he was drafted by the Rangers in the ninth round of the 2021 draft out of Arkansas State. True, he joins Tampa Bay after hitting only one homer and three extra-base hits in his final 28 games – though he batted .292 – with Miami since being activated from the injured list, which he was placed on due to lower back strain in June.
Tampa Bay is Hicks' fourth organization in six seasons of professional baseball. The lefthanded hitter may stay put for a while. Breaking through offensively the way he has this season -- .282, 14 homers and 62 RBI -- combined with team control through 2030 are reasons why Rays' fans should feel good. Maybe a sigh of relief is in order as well given how the position has chronically underperformed. A larger sigh will be in order when Hicks rediscovers his power stroke again.
In acquiring Hicks, who is making $790,000 this season, the Rays sent three prospects to Miami: 24-year-old infielder Brayden Taylor (Rays' No. 16), 23-year-old RHP Jacob Kisting (No. 26) and 21-year-old shortstop Adrian Santana (No. 27). It marked the second straight day ahead of the trade deadline that Tampa Bay acquired a player for a trio of prospects, neither of whom was ranked higher than No. 15 in their system. The Rays acquired Freddy Peralta from the Mets on Sunday afternoon.
Hicks, who has struck out only 39 times in 354 at-bats and is joining a team that has fanned the fewest times in MLB, replaces Hunter Feduccia (dealt to the Dodgers) as the lefty in the catching platoon with Nick Fortes. He could also spell Jonathan Aranda at first base and give DH Yandy Diaz a break from time to time. Hicks became expendable because Joe Mack, who also hits from the left side and is four years younger, has emerged behind the plate for Clayton McCullough's team.
#hicks
Of all the catchers the Rays have traded for in recent years, Liam Hicks stands out because he is a clear upgrade. True, the 27-year-old Toronto native has kicked around since he was drafted by the Rangers in the ninth round of the 2021 draft out of Arkansas State. True, he joins Tampa Bay after hitting only one homer and three extra-base hits in his final 28 games – though he batted .292 – with Miami since being activated from the injured list, which he was placed on due to lower back strain in June.
Tampa Bay is Hicks' fourth organization in six seasons of professional baseball. The lefthanded hitter may stay put for a while. Breaking through offensively the way he has this season -- .282, 14 homers and 62 RBI -- combined with team control through 2030 are reasons why Rays' fans should feel good. Maybe a sigh of relief is in order as well given how the position has chronically underperformed. A larger sigh will be in order when Hicks rediscovers his power stroke again.
In acquiring Hicks, who is making $790,000 this season, the Rays sent three prospects to Miami: 24-year-old infielder Brayden Taylor (Rays' No. 16), 23-year-old RHP Jacob Kisting (No. 26) and 21-year-old shortstop Adrian Santana (No. 27). It marked the second straight day ahead of the trade deadline that Tampa Bay acquired a player for a trio of prospects, neither of whom was ranked higher than No. 15 in their system. The Rays acquired Freddy Peralta from the Mets on Sunday afternoon.
Hicks, who has struck out only 39 times in 354 at-bats and is joining a team that has fanned the fewest times in MLB, replaces Hunter Feduccia (dealt to the Dodgers) as the lefty in the catching platoon with Nick Fortes. He could also spell Jonathan Aranda at first base and give DH Yandy Diaz a break from time to time. Hicks became expendable because Joe Mack, who also hits from the left side and is four years younger, has emerged behind the plate for Clayton McCullough's team.
#hicks
3 months ago
