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The Tampa Bay Rays went into the MLB trade deadline as buyers, but their perspective is changing due to their struggles.

All that's between the Reds and the 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline on Thursday are three key games against the superstar-laden Dodgers. But as they've often stressed as a club seeking a playoff berth, there was no looking ahead.

The direction the team will go and how much it will do still seem to be in play as Thursday’s deadline approaches.

M ajor League Baseball's trade deadline is scheduled for next Thursday, which means teams have less than a week to get their midsummer shopping done. The moves have already started, as the Mariners recently acquired Josh Naylor from the Diamondbacks while the Yankees acquired Ryan McMahon in a trade with the Rockies .

With the Tampa Bay Rays slowly drifting out of the playoff race, the team reportedly could move on from two key players ahead of the trade deadline.

The Rays have struggled badly in the month of July, with a 6-14 record that has left them just one game over .500 and 2.5 games out of an AL Wild Card spot. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the club’s recent skid has forced their front office to reconsider some of its stances on keeping certain players in the fold,

Martinez went on to say the trade deadline was motivation for the 2025 Reds, who stood at 54-50 after Friday's victory and one game back of the San Diego Padres for the third National League Wild Card.

With their infield depleted by injuries, the Rays turned to a familiar face to upgrade their depth on Saturday. Tampa Bay acquired infielder Tristan Gray from the White Sox for cash considerations and added him to the active roster in Cincinnati.

C HICAGO –– With the MLB trade deadline approaching on Thursday, the White Sox made a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. Minor league infielder Tristan Gray is headed to Tampa in exchange for cash considerations, the White Sox announced.