Alex Faedo traded to Rays from Tigers

The Rays acquired right-hander Alex Faedo from the Tigers in exchange for Minor League catcher Enderson Delgado and cash on Monday. The Rays designated infielder Osleivis Basabe for assignment to make room for Faedo on their 40-man roster.

Detroit’s first-round pick from the 2017 Draft, the 29-year-old Faedo was designated for assignment last week when the Tigers signed reliever Tommy Kahnle. Faedo had seemingly found a role in Detroit’s bullpen after injuries stalled his career as a starter, but he ended last season on the 60-day injured list with a right shoulder strain he suffered in August. He posted a 5-3 record and 3.61 ERA in 37 games, including six starts.

“I told Alex this is a really difficult move for us to make,” Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said. “Alex is a really popular teammate in the clubhouse. He’s gotten some really big outs for us. It’s a move we really didn’t want to make, but our 40-man [roster] is getting more talented these days and any time you add a new player to the roster, it generally means that it costs you a valuable contributor on the back end.

TRADE DETAILS
Rays get: RHP Alex Faedo
Tigers get: Minor League C Enderson Delgado, cash

“Again, I think Alex has been a really talented pitcher and has gotten some big outs for us, but I think his out-of-options status made it a little bit more difficult of a fit on our roster here.”

Delgado, 20, was signed as an international free agent in January 2022 and split last season between Single-A Charleston and the Florida Complex League, hitting .259 with four homers and 30 RBIs in 65 games. He did not rank among the Rays’ top 30 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline.

Faedo was optioned in 2021, 2022 and 2023. He had been granted a fourth Minor League option last offseason because he had less than five years of service in the Majors or Minors due to injuries. The Tigers didn’t use the option, but since last year counted as Faedo’s fifth year, the extra option couldn’t carry over.