The Cincinnati Reds have made waves in the lead-up to the trade deadline by executing a three-team trade that brings right-hander Zack Littell on board from the Tampa Bay Rays. This acquisition was confirmed on Wednesday, with the Rays receiving minor league pitchers Brian Van Belle and Adam Serwinowski in exchange.
Following the deal, the Rays traded Serwinowski, along with right-hander Paul Gervase and catcher Ben Rortvedt, to the Los Angeles Dodgers. In return, the Rays welcomed catcher Hunter Feduccia into their roster.
Zack Littell, 29, has had a commendable season with the Rays, finishing with an 8-8 record and a 3.58 ERA across 22 starts, including a strong performance against the New York Yankees where he threw five shutout innings. However, he has allowed a league-leading 26 home runs this season. Reflecting on the trade, Littell expressed gratitude for his time with Tampa Bay and the opportunities it provided him.
In other aspects of the trade, Brian Van Belle, 28, has shown promise in the minor leagues, pitching to a 3.40 ERA over 19 games in Triple-A. Adam Serwinowski, 21, encountered more challenges, posting a 4.84 ERA in High-A Dayton.
Paul Gervase, another player involved in the trade, made his major league debut with a notable 4.26 ERA in five games for the Rays, while Ben Rortvedt has experience in the majors with a batting average of .095 this season.
This trade marks a significant move for the Reds, who were also active earlier in the day acquiring third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes from the Pittsburgh Pirates, indicating their commitment to improving their roster as the trade deadline approaches, set for 6 p.m. ET on Thursday.
The Reds’ proactive approach signals a hopeful outlook for their season, as they seek to bolster their lineup and improve their chances in the competitive landscape of Major League Baseball.