CLEVELAND, OHIO - JULY 23: Nelson Cruz #23 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates prior to the game against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on July 23, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The Tampa Bay Rays got the attention of the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees with a major transaction a week ahead of the trading deadline.
When the Rays added Nelson Cruz to their roster, from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for two pitching prospects, they totally transformed their ballclub and the pennant race in the American League.