Tampa Bay Rays News

Rays picked up Taylor Walls' $3.1 million option, a day after his Gold Glove win. The shortstop hit .222 with 21 steals and a career-high 3.5 WAR, mostly on defense. Offense is optional when the glove does the talking. 🧤

Rays make $3.1 million decision on Gold Glove winning shortstop

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Junior Caminero is an AL MVP finalist, joining Yordan Alvarez of the Astros and Bobby Witt Jr. of the Royals. The Rays slugger is in elite company, and winners will be announced the week of Nov. 9. 🏆

Watch LIVE as BBWAA Awards finalists are announced (MLB Network)

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Rays' World Series loss to Milwaukee in five games, scoring just 12 runs, has ClutchPoints urging bold moves: spend to keep free-agent Freddy Peralta, add a real bat, and fortify the bullpen. A 98-win pennant team, minus October firepower. ⚾

3 radical changes Rays must make after crushing World Series defeat

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Rays exercised Taylor Walls' $3.1M club option for 2027, a day after his first Gold Glove. His glove drove 3.5 bWAR despite a career .200/.291/.298 line. Alexander Alberto and Jack Suwinski were also added to the 40-man roster. 🧤

Rays exercise club option for newly minted Gold Glove winner Walls

mlb.com

MLB Trade Rumors (Rays): Rays Exercise Club Option On Taylor Walls, Announce Five Additional Moves

Rays Exercise Club Option On Taylor Walls, Announce Five Additional Moves

mlbtraderumors.com

Former Rays skippers Joe Maddon and Lou Piniella are on the eight-man Hall of Fame Contemporary Era ballot for the Class of 2027. The committee votes Dec. 6 in San Diego, and 75% is needed. Maddon led the 2008 Rays to their first pennant. ⚾

Joe Maddon, Lou Piniella on Hall of Fame short list for 2027

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Joe Maddon, the former Rays manager, is on the Hall of Fame's Contemporary Baseball Era ballot alongside Lou Piniella, who also managed Tampa Bay. A 16-member panel needs 75% for election, with results due Dec. 6. 🏛️

Contemporary Baseball Era Committee unveil 8 candidates up for Hall

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Rays declined 2027 mutual options on Nick Martinez (3.10 ERA, 180 IP, first All-Star nod) and Cedric Mullins (76 wRC+, but 11 OAA in center). Buyouts: $4M and $500K. Two veteran roles now need filling. 🔄

Rays decline options on Martinez & Mullins

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Rays are exercising Drew Rasmussen's 2027 option at $20M, the richest single-year deal in franchise history, topping Charlie Morton's $15M. After a 2.67 ERA over 172 IP and 5.0 fWAR, the price tag looks earned. 💰

Rays exercise 2027 option for Rasmussen

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Rays catcher prospect Caden Bodine (MLB No. 46) won a 2026 Minor League Gold Glove. He posted a .988 fielding percentage, threw out 19% of basestealers and hit .342/.410/.517 across four levels. Leather and bat both showed up. 🧤

Here are 2026's Minor League Gold Glove winners

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Taylor Walls finally has his Gold Glove, named the AL's top defensive shortstop after two prior nominations. He's the first shortstop in Rays history to win one and the first Ray since Kevin Kiermaier in 2019. The 71 wRC+ stays in the background. 🧤

Taylor Walls wins Gold Glove award

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Taylor Walls won the AL Gold Glove at shortstop, a childhood dream realized. He led all shortstops with 21 Defensive Runs Saved and is the first Rays shortstop to win, and the franchise's first Gold Glover since Kevin Kiermaier in 2019. 🧤

LIVE on ESPN: Gold Glove Award winners being announced

mlb.com

Rasmussen's $20M option for 2027 is officially picked up, a first for a Rays player at that salary, per reports. The 31-year-old went 16-5 with a 2.67 ERA and led the AL in WHIP (0.913) during a pennant-winning year. Ace approves of this payroll record. 💰

Rays exercise $20M option on star RHP Drew Rasmussen for 2027

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Yandy Diaz's 2027 deal is locked in at a guaranteed $13 million, up from a $10 million club option, after he cleared 500 plate appearances. The DH hit .293 with 22 homers and a league-best 180 hits for the AL pennant winners. Vesting, not drama. 🔒

Tampa Bay Rays Announce Sudden Decision on Top Slugger

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Yandy Diaz's 2027 deal is official: his $10MM option vested into a guaranteed $13MM after he cleared 500 plate appearances and finished healthy. The 35-year-old hit .293 with 22 homers and led the AL with 180 hits. Cheap for that production. 💰

Rays Finalize Yandy Diaz's Contract

mlbtraderumors.com

Cam Booser, 34, started 2026 in the minors and finished with a 1.98 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 45 strikeouts in 41 innings over 42 appearances. Heavy argues the Rays lefty deserves AL Comeback Player of the Year over poll favorite Yordan Alvarez. 🎯

Rays Reliever Should Win Comeback Player of the Year Award

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The Rays traded right-hander Evan Reifert to the Astros for cash, per reports. The 27-year-old posted a 2.48 ERA in 46 Triple-A Durham appearances with big strikeout numbers, but control has kept him from a big-league look. 💸

Astros To Acquire Evan Reifert

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Rays lose rotation depth: Freddy Peralta hit free agency after the World Series loss, and Nick Martinez, an AL All-Star, followed when his mutual option wasn't picked up. Cedric Mullins, who hit .205, also hits the market. Exits stack up. 📉

2026 Transactions: Martinez & Mullins Free Agents, Guardians & Angels Protect Players

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Infielder Oliver Dunn has elected minor league free agency after the Rays outrighted him off the 40-man roster in September. Acquired from the White Sox in May, he had a .258 OPS in nine games with Tampa Bay and is out of options. 🔎

Two Players Elect Free Agency

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