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.
Human Being
Maybe they should remove the catcher for a second shortstop and throw the ball at the umpire?
Ranger Danger19
That’s Savannah banana level. Would probably work in Tampa though because nobody in Florida watches baseball
Rays in the Bay
I’m in Florida and I watch baseball.
sad tormented neglected mariners fan
Higgy could be their next Mike zunino
FarmBird
Cardinals have 3
Blackpink in the area
Yeah Cardinals need to trade at least 1 catcher this offseason. Herrera makes a lot of sense for the Rays.
Ranger Danger19
That’ll be a busy line. Lots of teams need catching
DonOsbourne
Willson Contreras. Contreras only. Don’t come asking for Herrera or Pages because Mo will cave and Mo will get swindled. Again.
FarmBird
Rays won’t spend on Contreras.
Herrera makes a ton of sense for TB
Blackpink in the area
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.
FarmBird
Doubt they get Taylor, I could see Suarez
DonOsbourne
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.
Blackpink in the area
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.
DonOsbourne
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.
Warden of the North(acoss13)
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.
₩arkMohlers
d’Arnaud For Springs
positively_broad_st
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…
LordD99
Looking for offense from the catcher’s position, while also having a good glove? Good luck. Those who have that aren’t trading that.
cbrookhouzen
Higashioka is the guy to target.
Rays in the Bay
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
Rays in the Bay
For Catchers you get what you pay for Erik and Stu. I don’t have hope they can improve that position without ponying up
YankeesBleacherCreature
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.
Warden of the North(acoss13)
Gary would probably do well with the Rays. He’s quite familiar with the AL East.
Melchez17
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.
Melchez17
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.”
Melchez17
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.
Asfan0780
Maybe shea langeliers trade? He hits way better on the road. But I dont care for his plate approach and issues defensively