Tigers acquire Minors catcher Delgado from Rays for Faedo

February 3rd, 2025

DETROIT -- The Tigers on Monday traded former first-round Draft pick to his hometown Tampa Bay Rays for Minor League catcher Enderson Delgado and cash, providing Detroit a return for a pitcher that the team had designated for assignment last week.

It was a difficult decision to designate Faedo, president of baseball operations Scott Harris explained last week. He was a popular player in the clubhouse and had blossomed into a valuable, versatile reliever after struggling to stick as a starter. But he’s out of Minor League options and faced a challenge to retain a bullpen spot after ending last season on the injured list with a right shoulder strain. The move cleared a 40-man roster spot for free-agent reliever Tommy Kahnle, who signed a one-year deal last week.

Despite being out of options, the 29-year-old Faedo was unlikely to pass through waivers. The Rays’ move brings Faedo back to Tampa, where he was born and raised. He was a star at Tampa’s Braulio Alonso High School, about eight miles from Steinbrenner Field, before becoming a College World Series hero up the road at the University of Florida.

TRADE DETAILS

Rays get: RHP Alex Faedo

Tigers get: Minor League C Enderson Delgado, cash

The Tigers drafted Faedo 18th overall amid their postseason run in 2017. He was the second of three consecutive first-round picks used on pitchers -- Matt Manning went ninth overall in 2016 and Casey Mize was the No. 1 overall pick in 2018 -- but Faedo is the first to leave the organization.

The 20-year-old Delgado joins a Tigers system that has built catching depth over the last couple years, including current MLB Pipeline Top 100 prospects Thayron Liranzo and Josue Briceño. Delgado isn’t as strong offensively, but the switch-hitter still brings offensive value, batting .259/.382/.400 with four homers and 30 RBIs last year between Single-A Charleston and the rookie-level Florida Complex League. He hit .204/.313/.280 this winter in 31 games for Perth in the Australian Baseball League.