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Joey Gerber Joey Gerber Nets NRI deal with Tampa Bay
Wed, Dec 18, 2024, 3:26 PM
The Rays signed Gerber to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Gerber, 27, spent the 2024 season in the minors in the Yankees organization, holding a 2.43 ERA and 40:17 K:BB over 33.1 innings across four levels. The righty reliever made 17 appearances with the Mariners back in 2020 but has battled a multitude of injuries since then. |
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Shane McClanahan Shane McClanahan Expected to throw '150-ish' innings
Mon, Dec 16, 2024, 8:20 AM
Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said on Dec. 10 in an interview on MLB Network that he expects McClanahan (elbow) to throw "150-ish" innings in 2025.
Analysis: McClanahan missed the 2024 season following August 2023 Tommy John surgery but has been able to go through a normal throwing program this offseason. The left-hander threw 115 innings in 2023 and had a career-high 173.1 frames in 2022 between the regular season and playoffs. This is McClanahan's second Tommy John surgery, however, and Walker Buehler's 2024 (Buehler was coming back from his second TJS) is an example of the downside involved with McClanahan in 2025. It's not yet clear how the Rays plan to manage McClanahan's workload, but it could involve some early removal from starts and/or extra rest in between outings. |
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Joe Boyle Joe Boyle Dealt to TB in Springs trade
Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 11:37 AM
The Athletics traded Boyle, Jacob Watters, Will Simpson and a compensatory draft pick to the Rays on Saturday in exchange for Jeffrey Springs and Jacob Lopez, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: After showing a lot of promise as a prospect in 2023, Boyle wasn't quite able to live up to the hype in '24, accumulating a 6.42 ERA and 1.72 WHIP over 47.2 innings while missing a month of the season with lower-back problems. He'll now attempt to turn things around following a change of scenery, though there's no guarantee the 25-year-old begins his Rays tenure in the big leagues. |
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Wander Franco Wander Franco Trial postponed
Thu, Dec 12, 2024, 12:22 PM
Franco's (personal) trial has been postponed from Dec. 12 to June 2, Juan Recio of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: A judge in the Dominican Republic ruled that several key witnesses were not located in time to proceed on the originally schedule date. Franco -- who is facing charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking -- is on MLB administrative leave. |
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Jake Brentz Jake Brentz Latches on with Tampa Bay
Wed, Dec 11, 2024, 2:15 PM
The Rays signed Brentz to a minor-league contract Dec. 7.
Analysis: Brentz hasn't been the same since coming back from Tommy John surgery, most recently posting an 11.40 ERA while walking 52 over 30 innings between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha in the Royals organization. The lefty showed promise in his rookie season back in 2021 and the Rays will try to coax that back out of him. |
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Danny Jansen Danny Jansen Nets one-year deal with Tampa Bay
Fri, Dec 6, 2024, 12:16 PM
The Rays agreed to a one-year, $8.5 million contract with Jansen on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Analysis: Murray notes that Jansen turned down multi-year offers from other teams, preferring to bet on himself on a one-year pact after a down 2024 campaign which saw him put up a .658 OPS over 92 games between the Blue Jays and Red Sox. Injuries have been a problem for Jansen, whose career high in games (107) and plate appearances (384) was established back in 2019. However, he's been an above-average offensive catcher for most of his career, particularly from 2021-23 when he put up an .805 OPS. |
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Colin Poche Colin Poche No contract from Rays
Fri, Nov 22, 2024, 7:10 PM
Poche was non-tendered by the Rays on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Poche has been a key high-leverage reliever for the Rays the last several seasons, picking up a combined 65 holds since 2022. He's also posted a WHIP no worse than 1.16 in that span, meaning he should be in relatively high demand on the open market. |
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Eric Orze Eric Orze Dealt to Tampa Bay
Tue, Nov 19, 2024, 3:25 PM
The Rays acquired Orze from the Mets on Tuesday in exchange for Jose Siri, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Orze, 27, yielded four runs over 1.2 frames during his first go-round in the majors in 2024 but posted a 2.92 ERA and 84:31 K:BB across 61.2 innings with Triple-A Syracuse. The Rays often work wonders with their relievers, so if they see something in Orze then he's probably worth keeping an eye on. |
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Richard Lovelady Richard Lovelady Removed from 40-man roster
Tue, Nov 19, 2024, 1:58 PM
The Rays designated Lovelady for assignment Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Lovelady is a roster casualty as the Rays look to clear space on Rule 5 Draft protection day. The lefty reliever holds a career 4.98 ERA and 90:36 K:BB over 99.1 innings covering parts of five big-league seasons. |
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Cole Sulser Cole Sulser Avoids arbitration
Mon, Nov 18, 2024, 4:50 PM
The Rays and Sulser avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Analysis: Sulser had been eligible for arbitration for a second time. The 34-year-old reliever holds a career 3.74 ERA and 158:71 K:BB over 149 innings covering parts of six big-league seasons. |
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Austin Shenton Austin Shenton Designated for assignment
Mon, Nov 18, 2024, 4:46 PM
The Rays designated Shenton for assignment Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Analysis: The club has decided it had a better use for a 40-man roster spot ahead of the Rule 5 Draft protection deadline. Shenton will turn 27 in January and has just 50 major-league plate appearances under his belt, but he's slashed .276/.391/.541 with 34 homers in 144 games at the Triple-A level, so there could be interest in the infielder via waivers. |
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Wander Franco Wander Franco Facing firearm charge
Tue, Nov 12, 2024, 2:57 PM
Franco (personal) is facing charges of illegal use and possession of a firearm related to his arrest in an altercation in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, Juan Recio of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Franco is expected to be granted provisional release Tuesday, although terms of his bail have not yet been defined. The 23-year-old is on MLB administrative leave and is due to stand trial on Dec. 12 in the Dominican Republic involving charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking. A concurrent investigation of Franco is being performed by MLB under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. |
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Wander Franco Wander Franco Arrested following altercation
Mon, Nov 11, 2024, 12:42 PM
Franco (personal) was arrested in the Dominican Republic on Monday following an altercation Sunday during which guns were drawn, Juan Recio of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Franco is being held for questioning and it's not yet clear whether he faces charges as a result of the incident. The 23-year-old is on MLB administrative leave and is due to stand trial on Dec. 12 in the Dominican Republic involving charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking. If convicted, Franco faces up to 20 years in prison. MLB is also performing a concurrent investigation of Franco under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. |
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Jacob Waguespack Jacob Waguespack Signs contract extension
Mon, Nov 4, 2024, 2:24 PM
The Rays signed Waguespack to a one-year, $1.3 million contract extension with a $1.5 million club option for 2026 on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Waguespack, 31, missed much of the 2024 season with a shoulder injury, but during his time at Triple-A Durham he had a 32:5 K:BB over 22 innings. The right-hander finished the season healthy and should compete for an Opening Day roster spot, perhaps in a swingman role. |
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Brandon Lowe Brandon Lowe Club option picked up
Fri, Nov 1, 2024, 4:01 PM
The Rays exercised Lowe's $10 million club option for 2025 on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: It's possible the Rays will look to trade Lowe as his salary escalates, but picking up the option was a fairly easy call. They also have an $11.5 million club option for 2026. Lowe slashed .244/.311/.473 with 21 home runs over 425 plate appearances for Tampa Bay this season. |
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Dylan Carlson Dylan Carlson Ends season with three hits
Mon, Sep 30, 2024, 11:03 AM
Carlson went 3-for-4 with an RBI on Sunday against the Red Sox.
Analysis: Carlson has started only 12 of 27 games in September while working as a depth outfielder, but he ended his season on a strong note. He hit only .219 with a .615 OPS after being dealt to the Rays, so he could remain a bench bat for the team heading into 2025. |
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Ryan Pepiot Ryan Pepiot Pulled after 63 pitches in finale
Sun, Sep 29, 2024, 4:43 PM
Pepiot (8-8) took the loss Sunday against Boston, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out five in four innings.
Analysis: Pepiot ran into trouble in the third inning when an RBI double by Vaughn Grissom drove in the game's first run. An unfortunate throwing error by the Rays defense compounded the damage, allowing another run to score. Pepiot wasn't given much of a chance to recover, as he was pulled after throwing a measly 63 pitches. Acquired from the Dodgers in the Tyler Glasnow trade last winter, the 27-year-old Pepiot enjoyed a successful inaugural season for the Rays, pitching to a 3.60 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 142:48 K:BB in 130 innings (26 starts). |
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Taylor Walls Taylor Walls Sitting Sunday
Sun, Sep 29, 2024, 1:16 PM
Walls is absent from Sunday's lineup against Boston, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Jose Caballero will start at shortstop and bat eighth in Tampa Bay's regular-season finale. Unless he pinch hits Sunday, Walls will end the year slashing .183/.282/.248 with 16 stolen bases, one home run and 14 RBI over 252 plate appearances. |
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Brandon Lowe Brandon Lowe Absent from Sunday's lineup
Sun, Sep 29, 2024, 1:14 PM
Lowe is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against Boston, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Lowe will sit for the Rays' regular-season finale as Dylan Carlson serves as the designated hitter and bats seventh. Unless he pinch hits Sunday, Lowe will end the 2024 regular season slashing .244/.311/.473 with 21 home runs and 58 RBI across 425 plate appearances. |
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Shane Baz Shane Baz Picks up fourth win
Sat, Sep 28, 2024, 6:22 PM
Baz (4-3) got the win Saturday against the Red Sox. He allowed two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out seven over six innings.
Analysis: Baz closed out the season with another strong outing as he closes out his 2024 campaign with six quality starts his last eight times out. The 25-year-old made a successful return from Tommy John Surgery this season with a 3.06 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 14 starts. Baz finished on a tear with a 2.34 ERA and 0.82 ERA in his last 50 innings. |
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