Rays had 'biggest steal' of trade deadline amid Yankees competition originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Over the next few weeks, the Tampa Bay Rays will try to hold off the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East.As of Thursday morning, the Rays lead the division by 3.5 games.Tampa Bay's top trade-deadline acquisition could help them make the final push toward an automatic bye to the ALDS.Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter wrote that the catcher may turn out to be the "biggest" steal of last month's deadline."Rarely a team willing to part with top prospect capital, they sent a package of three players ranked outside their organization's top 10 list to the Marlins in exchange for Liam Hicks," Reuter wrote.Hicks is having a breakout offensive season and a scorching hot second half since the trade from the Miami Marlins.It's possible the Yankees were one of the clubs that also showed interest in the 27-year-old's services. However, New York was likely searching for a right-handed bat, and Hicks hits from the left side.MORE:Don Mattingly has uncertain future with Phillies in managerial job"Since the trade, he has continued to rake, hitting .328/.425/.522 for a 163 OPS+, and he has settled in as the team's primary cleanup hitter," Reuter added. "With club control through the 2030 season, it's quickly shaping up to be the biggest steal of the deadline and a top-tier deadline deal in Tampa Bay history."In 23 games with the Rays, Hicks already has 13 RBIs and four extra-base hits. Three of those XBH have been home runs.If Hicks can help the Rays win the World Series, it will almost certainly be the best trade in franchise history.More MLB news:Astros' Yordan Alvarez has chance to join two MLB legends with very rare historyBo Bichette likely not to opt out of Mets $42 million contractJose Berriosextremely unlikelyto opt out of $48 million deal with Blue JaysEdmundo Sosa's Grand Slam gives Phillies crazy home-run statistic for 2026 seasonDodgers get concerning update on Shohei Ohtani as hes not 100% yet