The Tampa Bay Rays have successfully addressed a key roster need by acquiring versatile infielder Ben Williamson through a complex three-team transaction involving the Seattle Mariners and St. Louis Cardinals. This marks the third multi-team deal the Rays have orchestrated during this offseason, demonstrating their strategic approach to roster construction and their willingness to engage in creative deal-making to fill specific organizational gaps.
In this carefully structured trade, the Rays secured the 25-year-old Williamson from Seattle, providing them with the defensive specialist they've been actively seeking throughout the winter months. The Mariners, meanwhile, landed the most established player in the deal—Brendan Donovan from the Cardinals. St. Louis, in a clear rebuilding move, accumulated a package of promising young talent and valuable draft assets that should accelerate their organizational reset.
The complete trade breakdown reveals each team's distinct priorities and timeline:
- **Rays receive**: Infielder Ben Williamson
- **Mariners receive**: Utility player Brendan Donovan
- **Cardinals receive**: Right-handed pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje, center fielder Tai Peete, a Competitive Balance Round B draft pick from Seattle, outfield prospect Colton Ledbetter, and another Competitive Balance Round B pick from Tampa Bay
To accommodate Williamson on their 40-man roster, the Rays made the corresponding move of designating left-handed pitcher Ken Waldichuk for assignment, creating space for their new acquisition.
Erik Neander, the Rays' president of baseball operations, provided detailed insight into the organization's thinking behind pursuing Williamson. The front office had identified a specific need for a right-handed bat capable of playing multiple infield positions with exceptional defensive skills. Manager Kevin Cash particularly values having such a flexible player available for strategic deployment throughout the season, as it allows him to optimize matchups and give regular starters necessary rest without sacrificing defensive quality.
"Ben has been on our radar for quite some time, and we finally had the opportunity to bring him into our organization," Neander stated during Monday evening's press conference. "He offers a high-contact offensive approach combined with truly outstanding defensive abilities. While he's primarily played third base, his fundamental infield skills and performance level suggest he can seamlessly transition to second base and shortstop. His defensive metrics at third base were among the best in his rookie class, which gives us confidence in his ability to handle the entire infield."
The Rays' analytical approach to roster building emphasizes defensive versatility and platoon advantages above all else. Williamson fits this philosophy perfectly as a right-handed hitter who can complement the switch-hitting Taylor Walls and left-handed-hitting Gavin Lux. This creates optimal matchup possibilities for manager Kevin Cash to exploit throughout the grueling 162-game season, particularly against tough left-handed pitching.
Tampa Bay's infield already features established starters at each position. Third base belongs to All-Star Junior Caminero, shortstop will be manned by Gold Glove finalist Taylor Walls, and second base was recently solidified with the acquisition of Gavin Lux from the Dodgers. However, the Rays are renowned for their aggressive use of their entire 25-man roster, frequently rotating players to maintain freshness and exploit matchups. No player on the Rays, even stars like Caminero, is immune to regular days off or strategic benching.
This organizational philosophy means that even a player slated for a "reserve" role could realistically accumulate 400 or more plate appearances over the course of a full season. Williamson's ability to provide quality defense at three positions while offering a right-handed bat makes him an ideal candidate for this high-usage utility role. The Rays have perfected the art of extracting maximum value from players who might be considered part-time contributors on other teams.
"That kind of versatility makes him perfectly suited for our system," Neander emphasized. "We want to give him the opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities. I believe Ben can contribute to winning games in numerous ways, whether it's coming off the bench late in games, spot-starting against lefties, or providing defensive replacements in critical situations."
Williamson's journey to the major leagues began when the Mariners selected him in the 2023 draft out of the College of William & Mary, where he established himself as one of the nation's premier defensive college players. He made his MLB debut last April and appeared in 85 games, primarily at third base, before this trade. His defensive metrics and scouting reports consistently praise his glove work, footwork, and baseball instincts. Offensively, he profiles as a contact hitter with excellent bat-to-ball skills, though with modest power projections.
The Mariners' acquisition of Brendan Donovan represents a clear win-now move for an organization aiming to break through in the competitive American League West. Donovan brings a proven track record of offensive production and defensive flexibility, having finished in the top 10 of National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2022 while posting a .281 batting average. His ability to play both infield and outfield corners provides Seattle with valuable depth as they pursue a postseason berth, and his left-handed bat balances their righty-heavy lineup.
For the Cardinals, this trade clearly signals a retooling phase after several disappointing seasons. By trading the established Donovan, they've added two promising prospects in Cijntje and Peete, plus two valuable draft picks in the Competitive Balance Round B. These selections occur between the second and third rounds of the MLB Draft and provide additional bonus pool money, crucial for a rebuilding organization looking to restock its farm system with high-upside talent. Cijntje, a switch-pitching right-hander, represents particularly intriguing upside, while Peete is a toolsy outfielder with plus speed.
Colton Ledbetter, the outfield prospect Tampa Bay surrendered, was selected in the second round of the 2023 draft. While he showed promise in the lower minors with a combination of power and patience at the plate, the Rays determined that addressing their major league infield depth was a more pressing priority than retaining a long-term outfield project. This demonstrates the Rays' willingness to trade prospects for major-league ready contributors who fit their specific needs.
The Rays' decision to designate Ken Waldichuk for assignment creates another roster storyline to monitor. The left-handed pitcher had been acquired from the Athletics in a previous trade but struggled to establish himself in Tampa Bay's deep pitching staff, posting a 6.85 ERA in limited major league action. He may clear waivers and remain in the organization, or another team could claim him.
This transaction exemplifies the Rays' front office philosophy: identify undervalued assets that fit specific organizational needs, acquire them at reasonable costs, and maximize their utility through strategic deployment. Williamson's defensive prowess and positional flexibility align perfectly with how Tampa Bay constructs competitive rosters despite operating with one of baseball's lower payrolls. The Rays consistently rank near the bottom in player salary expenditures yet have made the playoffs in five of the last six full seasons.
As spring training approaches, Williamson will compete for playing time and look to establish himself as a key component of the Rays' infield rotation. His success could significantly impact Tampa Bay's ability to remain competitive in the challenging American League East division, where every roster advantage matters against powerhouses like the Yankees, Red Sox, and Orioles. The margin for error is slim, and having a defensive weapon like Williamson could be the difference in several close games.
The three-team trade demonstrates how modern MLB front offices collaborate to satisfy multiple objectives simultaneously—contending teams fill immediate needs, rebuilding clubs accumulate future assets, and players like Williamson get opportunities to prove their value in new environments. These complex transactions require careful negotiation and creative problem-solving, as each team must feel they're receiving appropriate value while managing roster constraints and competitive timelines.
For Rays fans, Williamson represents another potential diamond in the rough, a player who may not be a household name but could become indispensable to the team's success. The organization's track record of developing under-the-radar talent gives reason for optimism that this trade will pay dividends throughout the 2025 season and beyond. With his defensive skills and the Rays' player development system, Williamson could evolve into one of the league's premier utility infielders.
The American League East promises to be brutally competitive again in 2025, with the Yankees maintaining their star-studded roster, the Orioles featuring their young core, the Red Sox retooling, and the Blue Jays remaining dangerous. In this environment, the Rays must maximize every roster spot and competitive advantage. Williamson's acquisition, while not flashy, could prove to be one of the most impactful moves of their offseason as they chase another playoff appearance.
This trade also highlights the evolving nature of roster construction in modern baseball. Teams increasingly value defensive flexibility, platoon advantages, and cost-controlled contributors who can fill multiple roles. The Rays have been pioneers in this approach, and Williamson represents the latest embodiment of their data-driven, efficiency-maximizing philosophy. His success or failure will be closely watched by other small-market teams looking to replicate Tampa Bay's model of competing against baseball's financial heavyweights.