Let the MLB trade deadline begin! The Tampa Bay Rays kicked off things off on Thursday by acquiring slugger Nelson Cruz from the Minnesota Twins, according to MLB Insider Jeff Passan. 

Cruz became expendable with the Twins out of the race for the American League Central and now he heads to Tampa Bay where the Rays are right behind the Boston Red Sox for the top spot in the American League East.

Cruz was named an All-Star for the American League and has smacked 19 home runs with 50 RBIs as he continues to play at a high level. In return, the Twins get a couple of arms.

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The Rays will immediately throw him into their lineup and are trying to do everything they can to make a return to the World Series after losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.

Cruz is the first big name to be dealt prior to the MLB trade deadline, and Chicago Cubs star Kris Bryant and Texas Rangers slugger Joey Gallo are a couple of other names likely headed out before the deadline passes at the end of July.

This is only the beginning and there is bound to be more deals going down in what is shaping up to be a wild MLB trade deadline.