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Jacob Melton (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
In an offseason that’s lacked much action, things picked up on Friday afternoon as the Rays, Pirates and Astros have reportedly agreed to a three-team swap that is pending final medical clearance, according to The Athletic.
The trade sees significant prospect returns, including the Astros’ No. 1 and 3 prospects going to Tampa Bay, while the Pirates add a trio of major leaguers. The Astros, meanwhile, land the rotation help they desired in Mike Burrows.
RAYS RECEIVE
Jacob Melton, OF
Age: 25
The Astros selected Melton in the second round in 2022, signing him for $1 million. He ranked as the club’s top prospect in two of the last three seasons, including heading into 2026. The outfielder made his major league debut in 2025, though a sprained right ankle limited his time. He had been the subject of trade rumors for much of the last month as the Astros pursued options to fortify their rotation. Melton is a talented all-around player, showing above-average bat-to-ball skills, above-average power, plus speed and above-average outfield defense. He could play his way into an everyday job with the Rays in 2026.
Anderson Brito, RHP
Age: 21
The undersized Brito is big on stuff despite his diminutive stature. He mixes five pitches with four of them receiving average-or-better grades from scouts. Brito ranked third on the Astros’ recently-released Top 10 Prospects list. Brito works with a plus four-seam fastball that sits 95-97 mph, touches 100 and shows plus ride and cut from a flat approach. His low-90s cutter is used as a bridge offering between his fastball and his curveball and sweeper. Brito’s curveball is his best secondary pitch. It’s a plus mid-80s, two-plane banger that drives whiffs in bunches. His sweeper is a little firmer and flatter and drives solid results. His changeup is thrown exclusively to lefties and, in tandem with his curveball, gives him two weapons in offhand matchups. His changeup features good vertical separation off his fastball with a 10 mph difference between the two pitches. Brito has the potential for three above-average-to-plus pitches with average control and has the upside of a midrotation starter.
ASTROS RECEIVE
Mike Burrows, RHP
Age: 26
The Pirates drafted Burrows out of the Connecticut high school ranks in the 11th round in 2018. It took him six years to reach the majors, as he missed large chunks of 2023 and 2024 after he had Tommy John surgery. After making his MLB debut in 2024, he spent the majority of 2025 with the Pirates. He made 23 appearances (19 starts) while pitching to a 3.94 ERA, striking out 24.1% of batters and allowing walks just 7.7% of the time. Burrows mixes a mid-90s four-seam fastball with a sinker, slider, curveball and changeup, and he ran a 12% swinging-strike rate in his rookie season. The Astros view Burrows as a potential rotation candidate for next season.
PIRATES RECEIVE
Brandon Lowe, 2B
Age: 31
The veteran slugger has just one season remaining on his contract but offers the Pirates a significant offensive upgrade in 2026. Lowe is coming off of a run of three-consecutive 20-plus home run seasons in which he’s performed 15% better than the average MLB regular. A bat-first second baseman, he provides below-average defense but is capable of hitting 25-plus home runs from the middle of the Pirates’ lineup. Lowe is a solid one-year patch for Pittsburgh until Termarr Johnson is ready.
Jake Mangum, OF
Age: 29
A Mississippi State legend, Mangum made his MLB debut in 2025 with the Rays, a year after the team acquired him from the Marlins. Mangum produced a strong rookie season, hitting .296/.330/.368 with three home runs and 27 stolen bases. While he’s a below-average hitter, he brings above-average outfield defense and is capable of handling all three spots defensively. He should be an upgrade for the Pirates by bringing enough offense and a steadying influence in the field.
Mason Montgomery, LHP
Age: 25
The Rays landed Montgomery in the sixth round of the 2021 draft out of Texas Tech, and he’s spent time in the big leagues each of the past two seasons. In 2025, he established himself as a part of Tampa Bay’s bullpen, making 57 appearances and pitching to a 5.67 ERA across 46 innings. Montgomery pitched better than his ERA would indicate, as his performance was backed by strong ERA estimators. He throws two pitches in an upper-90s, four-seam fastball that will touch triple digits and an upper-80s slider. He’s a two-pitch reliever who should see middle relief work for the Pirates in 2026.