Rays Nab Nick Fortes from Marlins for Matthew Etzel: Tampa Bay’s Stealth Deadline Play

By Oliver Wiener July 31, 2025 17:41

The Tampa Bay Rays pulled a savvy deadline deal, acquiring catcher Nick Fortes from the Miami Marlins in exchange for catching prospect Matthew Etzel. This low-key but strategically meaningful trade aims to enhance Tampa Bay’s catching depth and veteran leadership behind the plate as the Rays position themselves for a potential late-season surge and postseason push in the highly competitive American League East.

Nick Fortes, 28, brings a solid track record as a dependable catcher with a blend of offensive contribution and defensive reliability. In 2025, Fortes has appeared in 54 games for the Marlins, posting a .240 batting average with 2 home runs and 10 RBIs over 129 at-bats. His on-base plus slugging (OPS) currently sits around .637, reflecting a contact-oriented approach with room for more power impact in the Rays-friendly Tropicana Field environment. Known for his strong game-calling skills and improving pitch framing metrics, Fortes offers Tampa Bay a versatile option capable of splitting time behind the plate or serving as a reliable backup to strengthen the catcher position.

General Manager Peter Bendix commented on the acquisition: “Nick is a player we’ve had our eyes on for some time. His experience and versatility fit perfectly with our pitching staff’s needs. He’s the kind of catcher who manages a game well and brings a veteran mindset to the clubhouse, which is invaluable as we navigate the grind of the late season.”

Fortes’s addition comes as the Rays look to deepen a catching corps that has seen injuries and inconsistency this year. He provides immediate major league experience compared to Matthew Etzel, a promising but less developed catching prospect who remains an exciting piece in Tampa Bay’s farm system. Etzel, 22, was rated among the Rays’ top catching prospects but lacked the big-league seasoning that Fortes brings, making this a quintessential “win-now” move focusing on major league readiness.

On the Marlins’ end, acquiring Matthew Etzel aligns with their ongoing youth-driven rebuild strategy. Etzel has impressed in the minors with a balanced approach at the plate, showing potential power and solid contact skills, coupled with advanced defensive catcher tools. He represents a tangible asset for Miami’s farm, aiming to develop into a future foundational player.

From a tactical perspective, Fortes’s ability to handle pitchers and provide a stable presence behind the plate offers the Rays greater flexibility. As Tampa Bay contends with a tightly packed AL East race, every increment of roster strength is crucial. Manager Matt Quatraro highlighted Fortes’s expected impact: “Having Nick in the fold means we can give our starters more confidence and manage workloads better for our primary catcher. It’s about depth and stability, which we desperately need down the stretch.”

Fortes has also shown signs of improvement recently, with a batting average rising to around .300 over his last 30 games, suggesting he could provide an offensive boost as well. Defensively, his strong arm and pitch framing have helped reduce opposing base stealers and enhance pitcher effectiveness, two critical factors in high-leverage late-season games.

While not a blockbuster headline trade, the Rays’ acquisition of Nick Fortes is emblematic of their sharp, analytics-driven approach to roster construction. It reflects a focus on adaptable, experienced players who can contribute immediately and help the team navigate the demanding final months of the regular season.

In sum, Tampa Bay’s trade for Nick Fortes from Miami exemplifies a stealthy, well-calculated deadline maneuver designed to solidify the catching position. Fortes’s combination of major league experience, defensive acumen, and steady bat make him a valuable addition as the Rays push to remain competitive in the stacked AL East. Meanwhile, the Marlins continue building for the future with the added prospect Matthew Etzel, illustrating divergent team-building timelines and priorities.

This deal highlights the Rays’ commitment to incremental yet impactful moves, reinforcing a roster tailored for postseason readiness without sacrificing long-term sustainability.