Rays' offseason starts after an AL pennant and a Game 5 World Series loss. Top question: Drew Rasmussen, owed a franchise-record $20M for 2027, stays atop the rotation, per Erik Neander's "every intention." Four more questions loom. 🔍
Rays agree to a minor league deal with righty Levi Stoudt, who gets a Spring Training non-roster invite. He sat 96 mph with an 85% slider rate in Triple-A before a June elbow injury ended his 2026 season. Kodi Whitley is also re-signing with a camp invite.
Ketel Marte trade chatter is back, and Bob Nightengale could "see the Rays jumping back in." Arizona is reportedly more motivated to deal him, with about $85M left on his deal. Tampa Bay checked in last winter, so this is a pitch, not a done deal. 🎯
Junior Caminero and Chandler Simpson are Silver Slugger finalists. Caminero (148 wRC+, 40+ HR again) looks like the safe bet. Simpson is the surprise: zero homers, a 93 wRC+, but an AL-best .306 average and 46 steals. 🥇
Freddy Peralta, who went from a rough stretch with the Mets to a 3.25 ERA in 10 starts for the Rays and ALCS MVP honors, is floated as a Red Sox free-agent target. Rays tweaks (more changeups, a new rubber spot) did the work. 🔧
Chandler Simpson is an AL Silver Slugger finalist among outfielders after hitting .306 with 46 steals and zero homers. Winners are announced Nov. 17. He'd be the third non-pitcher to win in a homerless season. Power optional. 🏏
The Rays are a finalist for the Silver Slugger Offensive Team of the Year, per the 2026 finalists Louisville Slugger announced Thursday. Winners will be revealed Nov. 17, when we learn whether the lineup's bat work earns hardware. 🏆
Rays catcher Nathan Flewellling is one of 10 Top 100 prospects headed to Sunday's Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game at Salt River Fields (8 p.m. ET, MLB Network). Tampa Bay's lone named representative carries real prospect pedigree. 🔭
It’s a single-issue negotiation. MLB wants a cap, the players reject a cap. All of the details MLB has shared about its vision -- a number of which are good! -- are tied to the MLBPA accepting a cap system. Publicly, at least, the league has not put forth any vision of a non-capped league. The players, and again I’ll say this is based on what we know, appear to have no intention of accepting a payroll cap. Until one side or the other concedes on this point, there is nowhere for negotiations...
Kevin Cash earns strong marks in a postseason manager report card, with the Rays falling short of the franchise's first World Series title. Batting gets an A-, thanks to a flexible lineup where only four players started all 14 playoff games. 📋
Rays added RHP Alexander Alberto, a 6'8" flamethrower, and OF Jack Suwinski to the 40-man roster, which now sits at 39. Melton, Pepiot and Uceta returned from the 60-day IL. Suwinski is out of options, so he must make the Opening Day roster. 📋
Rays catcher Nathan Flewelling (MLB Pipeline No. 63) is on the American League roster for Sunday's Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game, one of six AL Top 100 prospects. First pitch is 8 p.m. ET from Salt River Fields. 🔭
Rays offseason to-do list, with the lockout looming: shore up the starting rotation, add to the 40-man roster, and build a roster that can defend the American League title. Taylor Walls' first career Gold Glove also enters the awards conversation. 🧤
Edwin Uceta had arthroscopic right shoulder surgery last month, Erik Neander revealed. The reliever, who missed all of 2026, is expected to miss at least the first couple months of 2027, and a non-tender is possible. 🩹
Nick Martinez is a free agent after his mutual option was declined, following a career year that helped the Rays reach the World Series. Erik Neander says they'd like to "run it back" with Martinez and Freddy Peralta: "We'll see what happens." 🤝
Yardbarker Rays: Rays RHP Edwin Uceta (shoulder) sidelined into 2027 season
Erik Neander says the Rays have "every intention" of Drew Rasmussen anchoring the 2027 rotation, even as trade chatter swirls. The $20M option is already exercised after a 16-5, 2.67 ERA season. Seems the ace is staying, for now. 🔒
Joe Maddon, who managed the Rays to a World Series-winning résumé elsewhere, is on the 2027 Hall of Fame Contemporary Era ballot alongside Dusty Baker, Bruce Bochy, Lou Piniella and Sandy Alderson. Results come December 6. 🗳️
Rays exercised Taylor Walls' 2027 option at $3.1M, below the $3.5M he was projected to get in arbitration. The Gold Glove shortstop hit .222/.309/.298 with a 74 wRC+, but his defense is the real draw. 🧤
Rays land three BBWAA finalists: Junior Caminero (AL MVP, already a franchise-best finish), Kevin Cash (AL Manager of the Year, seeking a third) and Bryan Baker (AL Reliever of the Year, 41 saves). Winners are revealed Nov. 10-12. 🏆
Follow your team, join the conversation, and never miss a moment.
