On Monday, the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Philadelphia Phillies by a score of 7-0 in their most recent spring training game.
The Rays have just one more exhibition game before Thursday’s Opening Day battle against the St Louis. Cardinals.
Tampa Bay Rays Announce Trade With Athletics
GettyKANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JUNE 24: Manager Kevin Cash #16 of the Tampa Bay Rays talks with reporters prior to a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on June 24, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
On Monday, the Rays announced that they had made a minor league deal with the Athletics.
Rays Communications wrote: “The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired minor league INF Cooper Bowman from the Athletics in exchange for minor league RHP Gerlin Rosario.”
GettyMESA, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 23: Cooper Bowman #86 of the Oakland Athletics poses for a portrait during photo day at HoHoKam Stadium on February 23, 2024 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Bowman is coming off a season (in the Minor Leagues) where he batted .234 with seven home runs, 45 RBI’s, 42 runs (and 22 stolen bases).
He was selected in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft.
MLB Social Media Reacts To Trade
GettyGOODYEAR, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 18: Cooper Bowman #53 of the Cincinnati Reds poses for a portrait during photo day at the Cincinnati Reds Player Development Complex on February 18, 2025 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Here’s what people were saying about the news:
@tampa_bay_trace: “i knew bowman would somehow end up with tampa someday”
@jbrophybaseball: “LFG!!! I’m hoping I get to see Cooper at some point this year at the Trop.”
@mashmore98: “Former Yankees farmhand on the move again.”
@Homein22: “G.Rosario has a good CH and CMD, but lacks stuff. Unless something happens, it will be difficult for him to become a big-leaguer. C.Bowman has good speed and can play many positions based on that strength. He will likely sit right behind R.Delgado on the depth chart.”
GettyGOODYEAR, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 18: Cooper Bowman #53 of the Cincinnati Reds poses for a portrait during photo day at the Cincinnati Reds Player Development Complex on February 18, 2025 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Looking At Rays And Athletics
GettySANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – MARCH 10: Manager Kevin Cash of the Tampa Bay Rays speaks during a press conference prior to a game against the Boston Red Sox at Estadio Quisqueya on March 10, 2024 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
The Rays are coming off a season where they went 77-85 (and missed the MLB playoffs).
They last made the playoffs during the 2023 season.
Right now, the Rays find themselves in a very competitive division (AL East) that has a lot of talented teams.
GettyBALTIMORE, MARYLAND – AUGUST 09: Manager Mark Kotsay #7 of the Athletics watches the game in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 09, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
On the other side, the Athletics will play their second straight season in Sacramento.
They will have their first game of the year on March 27 when they visit the Toronto Blue Jays.
Last season, the Athletics missed the playoffs with a 76-86 record.
TRADE: Tampa Bay Rays Announce Deal With Athletics