After years of regularly exceeding expectations brought about by their low payrolls and reliance on unproven talent and/or reclamation projects, the 2024 Rays have finally had a rough season. At 74-78, they've been out of playoff contention for quite some time and have uncharacteristically been outscored by 60 runs. This will be their first playoff miss since 2018, although even that season saw them win 90 games. This is shaping up to be Tampa Bay's first sub-.500 season since 2017 -- a remarkable feat when considering the front office's perennially limited budget and the subsequent roster churn that brings about.
The Rays operated as sellers at the deadline, trading their most established power bat (Randy Arozarena), two starting pitchers (Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale), their All-Star third baseman (Isaac Paredes), one of their best relievers (Jason Adam) and a series of useful role players (Amed Rosario, Shawn Armstrong, Phil Maton, Tyler Zuber).
Oftentimes, deadline sales of that magnitude serve as a portent for an offseason dedicated to rebuilding, as recently illustrated by the 2023 White Sox and the 2021-22 Nationals. That type of rebuild, however, seems largely unnecessary in Tampa Bay. Even with a lineup consisting of unproven journeymen and a host of light-hitting, glove-first regulars (e.g. Jose Siri, Ben Rortvedt, Jose Caballero), the Rays already look like a team that could jump back into contention as early as next season.
Let's take a look at the reasons for that.
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sad tormented neglected mariners fan
I’m tired of seeing all of those Dylan Carlson 2025 all star articles, it’s a broken record at this point
YourDreamGM
A+ reload. Didn’t lose anything significant. Brought back a lot of young talent. They are set up nicely for the rest of the decade.
holecamels35
I’m not sure, I think they’ll be fighting with the Blue Jays for last place in that division. Lately, they are starting to lose a bit of that Rays magic when it comes to their moves. Their lineup has too many below average players still and I don’t see that changing yet. They totally ignore catcher. Not sure what’s going on at first. Morel and Carlson are meh, Siri is ok but they have way too many poor average guys who don’t make up for it with enough pop.
DoodooBean Redux
I don’t think they will be last next year but it will be an another somewhat down year before 2026. I think Aranda and Misner will be able to figure it out better than Carlson and Morel. Plus the Rays will probably call Chandler Simpson up at some point next year. Between him and Misner CF should be fine. I could see them shopping Siri next trade deadline
fljay73
A lot of teams are so so at catcher. 2025 Rotation will have…..
Sugar
Springs
Baz
Little
Pepiot
Bradley
With other options pitching in the minors. The prospects they added at the deadline were A & AA level. The Rays have AAA level prospects that will need opportunities. The Rays can go a number of ways in the offseason to add to their roster. If their 2024 offense was middle of the pack they would have been in a WC spot this year.
DoodooBean Redux
I have a feeling Littel will be moved this offseason and the Rays will sign another journeyman to take his spot.
They will probably ease Rasmussen into the rotation as well.
Very Barry
Nothing but respect for Tampa Bay as an organization. They should be in the AL Central. They play our type of baseball. Tampa, Cleveland, Minnesota and the Chicago White Sox all rank among the best in developing pitching talent in all of baseball.
Karensjer
Rays are going to have a shot at having a complete staff with McClanahan, Springs, Pepiot, Baz, and Bradley, and Rasmussen maybe as a closer or fill-in. Let’s just hope they don’t get injured trying to out spin-rate each other.
The problem is the cheap ass owner won’t spend money to improve the lineup.
Caminiero can be a franchise 2b, Carson Williams could handle SS, and Josh Lowe can play right, but other than that, the lineup is suspect with old guys or .200 hitters.
I don’t trust Morel to hit over .220, although he can hit 30-40 bombs. Diaz is getting up there in age, as is Brandon Lowe. Siri either has his head in the game or he doesn’t and has a little too much attitude to fulfill his potential. I would try to flip B Lowe, Yandy, Morel, and Siri while they still have some value, try Basabe and Carson Williams at short, put Caminiero full time at 2b, and try to pry either Langliers or Soderstrom from Oakland to be the best catcher in franchise history. If there is anyone else you acquire after trading the 4 and getting the Oakland catcher, make sure you get a 3b or 1b, and hopefully DeLuca can maybe play CF, Mead can play RF, and let maybe Aranda could DH and be a backup infielder. In a year or 2, Chandler Simpson and Xavier Isaac could be ready, and maybe the Rays have something. Get Pennybags $ternberg to sign a big name free agent for whatever position needs an upgrade, and maybe he will get people to fill his new unnecessary stadium. It’s gonna be a few years, Rays fans. Let’s hope the pitching staff stays healthy and competes until the lineup can catch up and $tu decides that he’s saved enough $$$ and goes after a top tier free agent.
DoodooBean Redux
I like the Langeliers idea, but only if it’s a quantity over quality trade like the As seem to enjoy. Toss morel in with some superfluous pieces like Brayden Taylor. If not, I think Rortvedt and Dom Keegan could be a solid pairing behind the dish.