Copyright newsweek
In the first trade of the MLB offseason, the Tampa Bay Rays acquired outfielder Ryan Vilade from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for cash considerations. On Saturday, the baseball season ended when the Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series. Since then, free agents have hit the open market — and now, the first trade is officially on the books. More news: Blue Jays Lose 6 Players to Free Agency After Falling Short in World Series Vilade has played in 28 games over the last three years. He has featured with the Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Cincinnati Reds. WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 30: A view of a Tampa Bay Rays baseball cap in the dugout during the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) He can play in the outfield or at first base, allowing him and the team flexibility about where he plays. Vilade should get a chance to make the Rays’ Opening Day roster, though it will largely depend on how his spring goes. At the age of 26, the Rays will hope that he serves a utility role, figuring out how to hit well at the major league level. In MLB, he is slashing .141/.200/.188. Vilade has one home run and five RBIs with eight total hits. For his career thus far, he is valued at -1.0 WAR. More news: Mets Lose 8 Players to Free Agency as Offseason Begins The Reds acquired Vilade off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals back in June. In 65 games with Triple-A Louisville, Vilade hit .296/.381/.536 with 12 home runs. Throughout his eight minor league seasons, he has a career slash line of .280/.360/.424 with 71 home runs, 35 triples, and 170 doubles. Vilade was taken in the second round by the Colorado Rockies back in the 2017 MLB Amateur Draft, coming straight out of high school and signing for a $1.4 million bonus. Cincinnati gains a roster spot on its 40-man roster entering free agency, affording it the flexibility to add someone else or promote someone from within the organization. As for the Rays, they take a chance on a former second-round who they hope can turn into a serviceable player in their system for years to come. More news: Cubs Officially Lose 10 Players to Free Agency For all the latest MLB news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports
