The Rays’ overhauled outfield mix added another new player on Friday afternoon.
Tampa Bay acquired Victor Mesa Jr. in a trade with Miami that sent infielder Angel Brachi to the Marlins. The Rays also designated infielder Brett Wisely for assignment to make room for Mesa on their 40-man roster.
Mesa, 24, made his MLB debut in 2025, going 6-for-32 (.188) with two doubles, one home run, six RBIs and a .641 OPS over 16 games with the Marlins. He was DFA’d on Tuesday by Miami, which signed the Cuban for $1 million as an international free agent in ‘18.
Last year, Mesa spent a good chunk of the season at Triple-A Jacksonville, where he posted a .301/.368/.510 slash line with nine doubles, one triple, seven homers and 30 RBIs in 42 games. However, he played only 68 games between the Majors and Minors due to three stints on the injured list with multiple hamstring ailments.
It has been challenging for Mesa to stay on the field in recent years. He played only 83 Minor League games in 2024, when he had stints on the IL for ankle and back injuries.
But the left-handed-hitting Mesa has shown offensive potential in the Minors, so if he can stay healthy, he could still become an asset at the big league level. Mesa is also capable of playing all three outfield spots, though he has spent the majority of his Minor League career in center.
The projected starting outfield could feature Chandler Simpson in left, Mullins in center and Fraley in right. Jonny DeLuca is among the front-runners to make the team as a fourth outfielder available off the bench.
Mesa will now be competing for a spot as well, and with a strong spring, he could push his way into the picture. But DeLuca is the only one of those outfielders who hits right-handed, as Simpson, Mullins, Fraley and Mesa all bat lefty. Also, Mesa still has one Minor League option remaining, so he could get sent to Triple-A Durham to serve as depth.
