The Rays dropped to fourth place in the AL East, finishing the season at 80-82. After missing the postseason for the first time since 2018, Tampa Bay baseball operations president Erik Neander spoke Friday about the need for more offense. He specifically pointed to catcher as an area where the club must improve.
“We’ve got to find a way to get more output out of that position than what we got this year,” Neander said (link via Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times). “We’ve got to find a way to be better back there, without question, and that’ll be a priority in terms of where our mental energy goes throughout this winter.”
While that’s not quite a definitive declaration the Rays will add from outside the organization, it’s clear they’ll examine the market. Tampa Bay had one of the lightest-hitting catching groups in the majors. The Rays got a .194/.272/.291 batting line out of the position. Only the White Sox had a lower batting average. Tampa Bay was 24th in on-base percentage and 28th (better than just the White Sox and Marlins) in slugging.
The Rays opened the season with René Pinto as their starter. That didn’t last long. Tampa Bay optioned Pinto after 19 games. He spent most of the year in Triple-A, where he hit .191 with a .257 on-base mark. Ben Rortvedt, whom the Rays acquired from the Yankees on the eve of Opening Day, ended up taking the majority of the playing time. The lefty hitter turned in a middling .228/.317/.303 slash over 328 plate appearances. Tampa Bay had Alex Jackson backing Rortvedt up from early May until designating him for assignment in September. Jackson hit .122 in a career-high 58 games. September call-up Logan Driscoll also struggled in his limited MLB work.
Like most clubs, the Rays have generally prioritized defense at the position. Rortvedt graded reasonably well as a receiver. Statcast credited him with better than average framing and blocking metrics. He also showed strong pop times, although his 16.2% caught stealing rate was subpar. Rortvedt presumably showed enough to hold an offseason roster spot. He’s out of minor league options, so the Rays would need to keep him in the majors or make him available to other teams to open the season. Driscoll still has a full slate of options and seems likely to start next season in the minors.
Jackson already elected minor league free agency after clearing waivers last month. Pinto remains on the 40-man roster but may have a tenuous hold on that spot. He’ll be out of options next season. It’s unlikely the team runs things back with a tandem of Rortvedt and Pinto; the latter might find himself on waivers at some point this winter.
The free agent catching class is light at the top. That’s not a huge issue for the Rays, who probably wouldn’t have made a huge splash even if the market were stronger. There are a handful of right-handed hitting backstops who should be available on one- or two-year deals. Kyle Higashioka, Carson Kelly, Danny Jansen, Jacob Stallings (whose deal with Colorado contains a mutual option) and Elias Díaz are among the top options. Anyone from that group could be a realistic target to share time with the lefty-hitting Rortvedt. Each should at least provide more offense than Jackson managed in that role.
Maybe they should remove the catcher for a second shortstop and throw the ball at the umpire?
That’s Savannah banana level. Would probably work in Tampa though because nobody in Florida watches baseball
I’m in Florida and I watch baseball.
There’s one. Congrats!
Typical pompous Yankees fan. There’s a nice fan base here in Florida. if your choice was to watch it at home or go to that pitiful stadium, you’d choose different also. Now with Oakland out of the picture, the Trop is by far the worst stadium in baseball.
It is clear you have not been to Chicago’s Wrigley Field or Boston’s iconic yet outdated stadium. Those places make Oakland’s duct-taped stadium look like a gem in comparison! At least at Tropicana Field, you do not have massive pillars blocking your view, and the atmosphere feels authentic, unlike Boston’s attempt to transport fans to some idealized version of the past with computer-generated images. It is almost laughable! And let us not forget, at least we have a roof in places like North Texas to shield us from the elements—a feature some of these so-called “historic” stadiums could really use or just tear them down and catch up with the times!!!
No shortage of arrogant Yankee fans in NY.
History and tradition do have their appeal. The Trop has none. Oh….it has AC, which is why a lot of the locals think that it’s the bwst thing ever. Give me real baseball with a real sky in 90° heat over an antiseptic warehouse atmosphere with catwalks any day.
People in Florida don’t watch baseball? Did you know spring training is in Florida every year? Did you know Florida has some of the top college baseball programs? Did you know minor league baseball is huge in Florida? Just because no one wants to go to the Trop or loanDepot doesn’t mean we don’t watch baseball. The Trop is in a terrible part of town. Miami… with the new stadium, I bet if they had a decent product on the field, they would be packed every night. That’s an amazing park.
And your governor is incapable of doing anything reasonable to help – except ban books and complain about social issues. Maybe that’s why Fla is stuck in a rut.
Oh geesch! Of course one of the most popular governors in Florida won’t satisfy a lefty….and I’m not talking baseball. He’s doing an amazing job with the hurricane clean-up, which I can’t say the same for the current occupiers of the White House.
Higgy could be their next Mike zunino
Cardinals have 3
Yeah Cardinals need to trade at least 1 catcher this offseason. Herrera makes a lot of sense for the Rays.
That’ll be a busy line. Lots of teams need catching
Herrera for Yandy Diaz
Cardinals don’t want Diaz they want young talent. Brayden Taylor.
Willson Contreras. Contreras only. Don’t come asking for Herrera or Pages because Mo will cave and Mo will get swindled. Again.
Rays won’t spend on Contreras.
Herrera makes a ton of sense for TB
Herrera for Brayden Taylor. Taylor can take over 3b for Arenado if he’s still around by then. I would be OK with trading Contreras but he’s expensive for the Rays I think they would want Herrera.
Doubt they get Taylor, I could see Suarez
Why would the payroll cutting Cardinals want to trade Herrera? Do you really want the dumbest executive in baseball making yet another trade with the smartest team in baseball? Really? Yes, I know Chaim Bloom, yada, yada, yada. Mo has the love and dedication of ownership until he decides to step away. So Mo has the final say. Bloom will be told to sit in a corner and wait his turn.
I think we could trade both Contreras and Herrera perhaps. Crooks is close and Pages is a big leaguer. But the Rays i don’t think the Rays want Contreras.
Hey someone has to make these deals. Better than doing nothing.
If the Rays decide to trade Brandon Lowe they could afford Contreras. It doesn’t seem like a Rays move, but you never know. They do unexpected things and usually find a way to make them work.
Because they still have pages and they don’t want Herrera’s defense to screw up their young pitching. They LOVE Pages defense and framing.
Herrera is another example of cardinals failed develop of players once they hit the upper minors. They have had a hard time developing well rounded players and I believe catcher defense was ignored because of Molina for a long time.
Herrera is not a terrible defender he’s not good but he’s not awful. Herrera is an example of a guy who should have been playing a long time ago but isn’t because he’s blocked by a veteran with a big contract. That is the problem not Herrera.
I would gladly have Contreras back, especially how bad the catching offense was for the Cubs this year, even if Amaya did better in the second half.
d’Arnaud For Springs
The Rays could have gotten Joey Bart for next to nothing in Spring Training, but they let Pittsburgh get him. He finally had a good season. They could probably still trade for him since the Pirates have a couple of young guys waiting in the wings…
Looking for offense from the catcher’s position, while also having a good glove? Good luck. Those who have that aren’t trading that.
Higashioka is the guy to target.
I doubt that SD will allow him to walk away from them
Alright we’re talking the Rays. So waiver wire guys is their market. I’ll believe when I see them actually sign a respected catcher
For Catchers you get what you pay for Erik and Stu. I don’t have hope they can improve that position without ponying up
Gary Sanchez could also be available. He has a mutual option with Brewers for $7MM (I believe). If he opts-out, he could be looking for a longer guarantee and more playing time. The Rays were 14th in homeruns in the AL. Average defensively but has power upside. Him and Roverdt can hold the fort down.
Gary would probably do well with the Rays. He’s quite familiar with the AL East.
Hell no! Sanchez is done.
Maybe a platoon of Carson Kelly and Hunter Feduccia?
I really like Hunter Feduccia of the Dodgers. He’s a lefty hitter with no power but an excellent OBP all through the minors. Seldom strikes out. Finally got called up this year as a backup. Dodgers are deep at catcher with Smith and Barnes. Rushing and Cartaya are close. Yeiner Fernandez is being groomed to be the next Austin Barnes. Galiz is next in line.
Feduccia is a decent defender behind the plate.
Ranked 34th best Dodger Prospect by Dodger Digest in 2024
Hunter Feduccia has had another quality season at the plate in Triple-A. He is a good defender behind the plate in all senses, including leadership of the pitching staff and game calling. Feduccia’s hit tool is ahead of his power production, which will never be too great, but he walks enough to deliver some value offensively. He was added to the 40-man roster last offseason and could be in a good position to take over the traditional backup catcher role whenever Austin Barnes is done.
Dominic Keegan is the Rays 13th ranked prospect. He’s a decent defender who can hit. He just turned 24 and played at AA all 2024. .285/ .371/ .435 with 9 homers. Probably should prove himself at AAA next year, but should come up soon.
He played 1B and backed up the catcher in college (Vanderbilt). He was made full time catcher in the minors in 2023, so he is still learning.
MLB.com
“There are naturally going to be concerns about his defense given his limited track record behind the plate, but the Rays are optimistic about the strides he’s taken on that front. Smart and cerebral, Keegan calls a good game and works well with pitchers. His throwing can still improve, but he’s boosted his arm strength over the past year for it to now be considered above-average. Overall, he’s developed well enough for the Rays to believe he’ll be able to hold his own as more than just an offensive-minded catcher in the Majors.”
Another option is Rockies switch hitting catcher Drew Romo. He’s an excellent fielder who is more of a contact hitter… doesn’t strike out but doesn’t walk much. Rays could probably help him there. He had double digit homers the past two minor league seasons, so some power there.
Problem is, it’s the Rockies… they don’t like to trade. The Rockies seem to be in a new youth movement. Maybe offer them some young pitching? They always like pitchers.
Romo is the future starter in Colorado the vets are FA & out of Colorado
Maybe shea langeliers trade? He hits way better on the road. But I dont care for his plate approach and issues defensively
The Pirates seem to have extra catchers and I as a Pirates fan would be open to a trade, as long as it doesn’t go down like the Chris Archer deal. Woof!
Extra catchers? They have Bart and Delay then a couple of question marks in Endy Rodriquez (injuries) and Henry Davis (multiple question marks). Below that prospects in catching look thin. Grandal is now a free agent.
Wouldn’t be a problem of the past if they drafted posey, now that doesn’t apply
2008, that’s when the Rays had the number 1 pick overall and chose Tim Beckham… Ouch!!!
I like Neander, but getting .590 OPS production out of the SS position is just as big or a bigger need.
I think he mentioned catcher because it’s a cheaper position to fill from free agency?
Gary Sanchez would make a good signing for the Rays. He’d do well there.
About damn time!!! Trade for either Langliers or Soderstrom since Oakland doesn’t need 2 catchers. Just don’t get Sanchez or some of these older guys listed that can’t hit. Danny Jansen might be a good option if he can hit above .250.
Harry Ford is blocked for the M’s. The Rays would need to part with several players though to entice the M’s. Maybe Yandy Diaz and Uceta and/or eating a portion of Haniger’s contract?
Alternatively, the M’s could consider offloading Garver’s contract (likely would need to eat a few million, but at say $7-8M could work in the Rays budget).
Harry Ford is going to be in the majors soon. Raleigh is blocking him.
Ford for Brandon Lowe?
Ford for Lowe would be an insane overpay in a straight one for one deal. Indeed, Lowe has way too many similarities to Polanco to make me interested at all. He is injury prone (only one season above 600 PAs and entering his 30s), K’s a lot (career 27.4%) and is a subpar defender.
Additionally, there are rumbling that the Rays may even decline his $10.5M option as too pricey for them, so he should be gettable for way less than the Randy trade cost.
Ford isn’t blocked. He’s more than a year out, likely two, and Seattle will have to make a tough decision on Raleigh before then if they can’t extend him (and Boras is his agent).
Ford is not 2 years out. He will start 2025 in AAA and likely debut at some point next year (unless Cal and Garver are healthy all year). His defense is ready and offensively he will be carried by his elite eye and speed. It may be unusual, but a .215/.315/.340 split wouldn’t be crazy with 15-20 stolen bases. Given that the Rays got sub .600 OPS out of the catcher spot this production would be quite the boon. Additionally, he’s a long term prospect who slots in nicely to their young position group/prospects with Caminero, Williams and Isaac.
Ford’s hitting profile is similar to what Paredes was… look what the Rays did for him. Ford could be a huge addition.
I said he is more than a year out, likely two. I would be surprised if he starts 2025 in AAA because he didn’t dominate AA. In fact, he struggled frequently between May and August, Don’t take my word for it, though. Look at the game logs and splits.
The power wasn’t there, either. He had exactly 2 HRs between 22 May and the end of the season (over 300 PAs!). It shouldn’t be surprising if Seattle wants to see more from him before a promotion and the same goes for Tampa, or any other team, that might be interested if Seattle ever makes him available.
Ask yourself what Seattle will do, or should do, if they can’t extend Raleigh. Trade him? If so, when? Ride it out and hope the QO is still an option in the next CBA (which comes in 2026)?
Tampa is likely going to pursue a veteran catcher. Seattle is likely going to try to move Garver and find an external backup.
And then there’s Dominic Keegan, who was much more consistent and is more likely to debut before Ford,
Harry Ford doesn’t need power to be a successful major league catcher. He profiles more so in the Joe Mauer mold except with more stolen bases and a lower batting average.
Ford finished the year at AA 22% better offensively than average with a .377 OBP as a 21 year old. Even if he drops to a .300 OBP going from AA to MLB that would be an improvement to the Rays today. Zips forecasts him as 0.9 WAR player with a slash of .208/.311/.321 in the majors next year.
Seattle cannot be worried about 2028 now. There are way too many question marks that far out (e.g. replacing or extending Gilbert, Kirby, Castillo, Crawford, Raley, and Arozarena). Therefore, trading Ford for players who increase their WS odds in 2026 and 2027 is definitely worth considering.
I don’t know about Keegan’s defense, but he could be an option. Ford as a longer term prospect has much more upside though as he is 3 years younger and has much more athleticism.
Please, study Ford’s 2024 season. He isn’t ready and he isn’t that close. How’s he going to help Tampa in 2025 when he hasn’t even mastered AA?
And those ‘question marks’ you noted supports my argument as well. If they can’t hang on to those guys, they’ll need players like Ford for the future. Catchers with his athleticism don’t grow on trees!
If they extend Raleigh, I might feel differently, but I don’t think it would be wise to move him now. I also have doubts about his trade value.
We’ll see what happens, but don’t be surprised if he starts 2025 in Arkansas.
Screw the future. The Mariners have made the playoffs once since 2001 and there is a very low chance that even as strong as the M’s system is that it produces a similar wave of talent that they are sitting on now. A WS appearance is worth a total rebuild project in 3 years.
Also, Ford’s last 30 games he slashed .267/.403/.388 with 34 Ks to 21 BBs. He also went 12 for 14 on stolen bases.
If they leave him at AA it’s because they want him to stay receiving the next wave of pitching prospects and Tacoma is a ridiculous offensive environment that plays way different to TMobile.
September is usually a good hitters’ month as young pitchers get tired and players that are new, or on the bubble, tend to get a harder look before decisions are made.
If they start Ford in AA, it will likely have little to do with the next wave of pitching and everything to do with taking his development seriously.
I’m not terribly concerned about the distant future. I think they should be pushing in their chips to get a WS title immediately. But again, I don’t think Ford has the value to nab Seattle a player who could help get them there. Not yet, anyway. Their future needs can’t be completely ignored, though.
By the way. Tacoma isn’t the hitters’ haven you might think it is. This article is a few years old, but I think Curto posted something similar on his blog this season, I just can’t find it. Here’s the article from 2019… milb.com/news/toolshed-assesses-triple-a-park-fact…
Cards are crazy if they trade Herrara. I really like Contreras but if you gonna cut cost now trade him to a team of his choice. He does have no trade clause. Install Herrara as #1 catcher. Pages is backup . Herrara is a far superior hitter. His defense is ok and with coaching can improve
Agree
As a Rays lifer, we’ve had Toby Hall and Dioner Navarro. That’s been about it at C. I believe it will be Rortvedt and I could see them going after Jansen. AL East guy who knows the division and could be a cheaper option. And, we all know that’s how my Rays work.
Diaz and Jansen would probably be the best bets of the free agent group, but also probably the most expensive. So the more likely “Rays” move to make would be Andrew Knizer and/or Reese McGuire
Reese McGuire or Danny Jensen incoming