Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays Swing Trade For Veteran Reliever

The Tampa Bay Rays have a knack for turning unremarkable relievers into lock-down, high-leverage arms; their next project is hard-throwing 30-year-old right-hander Robert Stephenson, acquired in a trade from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Source: Pirates trade reliever RHP Robert Stephenson to Rays for minor league SS Alika Williams.

Stephenson had 5.14 ERA, 1.43 WHIP in 18 outings this season.
Williams, 24, is hitting .237/.314/.417 at Double-A. He was first-rounder in 2020.
— RobBiertempfel (@RobBiertempfel) June 2, 2023

Stephenson, a former first-round pick way back in 2011, has a fastball that can hit triple-digits, along with some crazy off-speed stuff. He is struggling this season to a 5.14 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 18 outings. But everyone knows that the Rays will get the best out of him.

Robert Stephenson coming out to close the World Series for the Rays later this year pic.twitter.com/rRxugNv0Ul https://t.co/QCmu06SbAs
— Trent (@Trenciarte) June 2, 2023

In return, the Pirates get a young shortstop to add some depth to the system. Former first-round pick (37th overall, 2020) Alika Williams is hitting .237 with five home runs and 23 RBI's at Double-A. He's thought to be a good prospect, but the Rays have a backlog of middle infielders in the system and could afford to deal him.

Photo: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports