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Tampa Bay Rays

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Gavin Lux Gavin Lux Taking over at second base Fri, Jan 16, 2026, 12:23 PM Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said Friday that Lux will be the team's primary second baseman this season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Most of Lux's starts last season with the Reds came in left field and the designated hitter slot, but second base has been his primary position in the big leagues and the Rays had a clear hole at the keystone. The move from Cincinnati to Tampa Bay is a big ballpark downgrade for Lux, but he could play more for the Rays than he had been projected to for the Reds. Lux slashed .269/.350/.374 with five home runs in 140 regular-season tilts for Cincinnati in 2025.
Gavin Lux Gavin Lux Traded to Rays Thu, Jan 15, 2026, 9:22 PM Lux was traded from the Reds to the Rays in a three-team deal Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. Analysis: Lux is set to play out his final year of arbitration eligibility in 2026, making it surprising that the Rays seemingly targeted him in this deal. He should have a strong chance to serve on the large side of a platoon at second base, though his chances of seeing any amount of at-bats against lefties decreased with this move.
Osvaldo Bido Osvaldo Bido Jettisoned from 40-man roster Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 5:04 PM The Rays designated Bido for assignment Monday. Analysis: Bido has already been in three organizations this offseason and could be headed to another as he goes to the waiver wire. The righty posted a 3.41 ERA and 24.3 percent strikeout rate with the Athletics in 2024 before stumbling to a 5.87 ERA and 18.7 percent strikeout rate in 2025. Bido does not have minor-league options remaining.
Tsung-Che Cheng Tsung-Che Cheng Designated for assignment Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 5:01 PM The Rays designated Cheng for assignment Monday. Analysis: Cheng was claimed off waivers by the Rays last week, but he'll lose his spot on the 40-man roster in order to make room for Brett Wisely and Ken Waldichuk. The 24-year-old went hitless in a brief stint with the Pirates last season and slashed just .209/.307/.271 at Triple-A Indianapolis.
Ken Waldichuk Ken Waldichuk Dealt to Tampa Bay Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 4:58 PM The Rays acquired Waldichuk and Brett Wisely from Atlanta on Monday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Analysis: Waldichuk had been a waiver claim of Atlanta last week and he's now on the move again. The left-hander struggled in his first year back from Tommy John surgery in 2025, posting an 8.65 ERA, 2.06 WHIP and 64:42 K:BB across 51 innings at the Triple-A level. However, Waldichuk boasts a career 33.9 percent strikeout rate in the minors, so the Rays felt he was worth a flyer. Waldichuk has minor-league options remaining and is likely to begin the 2026 season in the rotation at Triple-A Durham.
Brett Wisely Brett Wisely Traded to Rays Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 4:51 PM The Rays acquired Wisely and Ken Waldichuk from Atlanta on Monday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Analysis: Wisely came up through the minors with the Rays before being traded to the Giants in November 2022. The 26-year-old is a career .214/.265/.319 hitter over parts of three major-league seasons, but he's slashed .275/.372/.433 at the Triple-A level and can play all over the diamond. Wisely is out of minor-league options and could compete for the Rays' opening at second base, though a reserve role is likelier.
Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Agrees to one-year deal Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 3:41 PM Baker agreed to a one-year, $1.275 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Baker likely didn't live up to the expectations the Rays had for him when they traded for him in July, as he put up a 4.75 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over 30.1 innings while working as a setup man. He'll get another chance to redeem himself in 2026, but competition will be fierce with Griffin Jax, Garrett Cleavinger and Edwin Uceta also vying for high-leverage opportunities.
Kevin Kelly Kevin Kelly Reaches deal with TB Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 3:05 PM Kelly agreed to a one-year, $925,000 contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Kelly missed more than a month toward the start of the 2025 season due to a glute strain and struggled to be effective on the mound after returning, finishing the year with a 5.90 ERA and 1.36 WHIP across 39.2 frames. He'll take just a $149,000 pay raise as a result and will likely be limited to middle-relief duty until he recaptures his previous form.
Josh Lowe Josh Lowe Settles with Rays Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 3:00 PM Lowe agreed to a one-year, $2.6 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Lowe failed to live up to his breakout 2023 campaign again in 2025, ending the season with a .220/.283/.366 slash line alongside 11 homers, 40 RBI and 56 runs scored over 435 plate appearances. He still provides some value as a base-stealing threat, but even his 18 steals this past season marked a three-year low. The 27-year-old has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining.
Ryan Pepiot Ryan Pepiot Avoids arbitration with Rays Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 2:54 PM Pepiot agreed to a one-year, $3.025 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Pepiot made a career-high 31 starts for the Rays in 2025 but finished the season with a career-worst 3.86 ERA over 167.2 innings, largely due to his allowing 26 homers. The 28-year-old righty will receive a $2.25 million raise from Tampa Bay during his first year of arbitration eligibility and projects to be one of the top starters in the Rays' rotation in 2026.
Richie Palacios Richie Palacios Settles with Rays Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 2:10 PM Palacios signed a one-year, $945,000 contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Palacios appeared in just 17 games for the Rays in 2025 but made the most of his limited opportunities, slashing .333/.396/.452 with three RBI, 10 runs scored and four stolen bases over 48 plate appearances. The 28-year-old utility man could begin to see regular time at second base in 2026 now that Brandon Lowe is in Pittsburgh, which would grant Palacios many more opportunities to show off his baserunning skills.
Steven Wilson Steven Wilson Receives $1.52 million from TB Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 2:01 PM Wilson signed a one-year, $1.52 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Wilson joined the Rays in November via trade and will now receive a $570,000 raise from his new club after posting a 3.42 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 55.1 innings with the White Sox in 2025. Although he made several appearances in high-leverage situations with Chicago, the 31-year-old righty will likely be relegated to a middle-relief role in the Rays' bullpen this upcoming season.
Nick Fortes Nick Fortes Avoids arbitration Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 1:55 PM Fortes signed a one-year, $2.535 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: After being traded from Miami to Tampa Bay at the deadline, Fortes slashed .213/.307/.348 with 11 RBI and eight runs scored across 101 plate appearances. He could continue to split reps behind the plate with Hunter Feduccia in 2026, though Fortes was by far the more productive of the two backstops last year.
Griffin Jax Griffin Jax Settles with Tampa Bay Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 12:23 PM Jax agreed to a one-year, $3.565 million contract with the Rays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Jax receives a decent raise in his second year of arbitration eligibility after posting a 4.23 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 99:21 K:BB over 66 innings between the Rays and Twins last season. The right-hander is expected to begin 2026 as part of Tampa Bay's closer committee, along with Garrett Cleavinger and Edwin Uceta.
Garrett Cleavinger Garrett Cleavinger Avoids arbitration with TB Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 11:44 AM Cleavinger agreed to a one-year, $2.4 million contract with the Rays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: The left-hander will double his salary in his second year of arbitration eligibility after tallying two saves and 22 holds with a 2.35 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 81:18 K:BB over 61.1 innings last season. Cleavinger is expected to begin 2026 as part of Tampa Bay's closer committee, with Griffin Jax and Edwin Uceta also in the mix.
Tsung-Che Cheng Tsung-Che Cheng Scooped on waivers by Rays Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 8:22 AM The Rays claimed Cheng off waivers from the Pirates on Wednesday. Analysis: Cheng went 0-for-7 with three strikeouts in his first taste of the majors in 2025 and also slashed only .209/.307/.271 during his time at Triple-A Indianapolis. The 24-year-old can play both middle-infield spots and is likely destined for Triple-A Durham to begin the 2026 campaign.
Brian Van Belle Brian Van Belle Back with Rays on minors deal Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 5:06 PM Van Belle (elbow) signed a two-year, minor-league contract with the Rays on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: The Rays let go of Van Belle earlier in the offseason following surgery to repair his UCL, but he will now rejoin the organization while he rehabs his injury. The 29-year-old righty isn't expected to pitch at all in 2026, but he may be an option for the Rays' 2027 pitching staff after turning in a 3.26 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 105 Triple-A innings in 2025.
Edward Olivares Edward Olivares Inks NRI pact with Tampa Bay Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 10:07 AM The Rays signed Olivares to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: A career .254/.306/.407 hitter over parts of five big-league seasons, Olivares spent the 2025 season with the Orix Buffaloes in Japan. The 29-year-old will compete for a roster spot with the Rays but is likely destined to begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Durham.
Blake Sabol Blake Sabol Grabs NRI deal with Rays Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 10:01 AM The Rays signed Sabol to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Sabol spent nearly all of the 2025 season at the Triple-A level, slashing just .183/.296/.326 between the Red Sox and White Sox organizations. The 28-year-old is likely to begin the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Durham, where he'd provide versatile depth with the ability to play catcher, first base and left field.
Justyn-Henry Malloy Justyn-Henry Malloy Traded to Tampa Bay Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 9:12 AM The Rays acquired Malloy from the Tigers on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations. Analysis: Malloy had been designated for assignment and is now on the move to a new organization. The right-handed-hitting Malloy has slashed only .209/.311/.346 in parts of two seasons at the major-league level, but he's hit .250/.397/.423 versus left-handed pitching. Malloy will compete for an Opening Day roster spot with the Rays but does have minor-league options remaining.