It turns out the acquisition of first baseman Jordan Luplow was indeed a rental for the Tampa Bay Rays.
Tampa Bay on Friday dealt Luplow to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for minor-league infielder Ronny Simon.
The 28-year-old was acquired from the Cleveland Indians on July 31, and gave the Rays a right-handed bat and option at first base. He hit .246/.319/.477 with four home runs and eight RBI in 25 games during the regular season, and added a grand slam off Boston’s Chris Sale in Game 2 of the 2021 ALDS.
Simon is a 21-year-old switch-hitting infielder who played in 97 games between Low-A Visalia and High-A Hillsboro. He hit .245/.329/.454 with 17 home runs, 63 RBI, and 19 stolen bases while playing second base, third base, and shortstop.