Director Erik Neander said. “We made the tough decision to trade Phil Maton in order to address other needs in our organization. While his performance didn’t meet our expectations initially, we appreciate his efforts and wish him well with his new team.”

The Rays, known for their strategic moves and financial prudence, made waves in the baseball world by signing Maton to a contract that was considered significant by their standards. However, his inconsistent performance throughout much of the season prompted the team to reconsider their options as the trade deadline approached.

Maton’s departure opens up a roster spot that the Rays plan to fill with Manuel Rodriguez, a promising talent who has excelled in Triple-A and is seen as a potential asset for the bullpen moving forward.

As Neander acknowledged, the decision was a difficult one, influenced by both Maton’s struggles and the team’s position in the playoff race. The Rays remain focused on making a strong postseason push, leveraging their organizational depth and making calculated moves to strengthen their roster where needed.