TRADE: Brewers & Rays Complete Deal Involving Catcher
The Milwaukee Brewers have acquired veteran catcher Danny Jansen from the Tampa Bay Rays as the team bolsters its depth behind the plate ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
Milwaukee will send 21-year-old infield prospect Jadher Areinamo to Tampa Bay in exchange for Jansen, with the Rays also including cash to offset part of Jansen’s remaining salary.
The Milwaukee Brewers are working to finalize a deal to acquire catcher Danny Jansen from the Tampa Bay Rays, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 28, 2025
Jansen Provides Depth Amid Contreras Injury Concerns
Jansen, 30, is hitting .204/.314/.389 with 11 home runs and 29 RBIs in 73 games this season. He signed a one-year, $8.5 million deal with the Rays in December and has a $12 million mutual option for 2026.
While starting catcher William Contreras remains the primary backstop, he has been playing through a fractured finger, and backup Eric Haase has struggled offensively. Jansen’s arrival provides much-needed depth and the ability to split time behind the plate.
Danny Jansen walking into a major league clubhouse after spending the summer in a spring training facility: https://t.co/Wn4eFttEI4 pic.twitter.com/sF1jhFje0n
— spencer🦕 (@spen______) July 28, 2025
Rays Pivot to Nick Fortes as Replacement
For Tampa Bay, Areinamo brings a promising contact-oriented bat after slashing .297/.355/.463 with 11 home runs and 15 stolen bases in High-A ball this season. The Rays are already working on their next move, as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported they’re close to acquiring catcher Nick Fortes from the Miami Marlins to replace Jansen.
Fortes, 28, is under team control through 2028 and provides a long-term option behind the plate.
Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
