The 2025 (and beyond) Tampa Bay Rays

[Art Deco]

January 3: Clayton Kershaw has entered the vagabond portion of his career; after pitching for Philly in 2026 he's now a Cardinal on a 1-year, $8.1M deal.

January 5: Robbie Ray is off to Minnesota as the lefty joins the Twins for one season at $7.5M.

January 7: A couple of veteran relievers found new clubs as former Ray Jason Adam goes to Arizona for 2/13 and Blake Treinen is a Phillies for 1/3.8.

January 9: Former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara signs with the Cardinals for 2/19.

January 13: Slugging OF/DH Jorge Soler is a Blue Jay thanks to a 4/48 deal.

January 17: Veteran OF Nick Castellanos is a Pirate for 1/7 while starter Matthew Boyd inks a 3/58 pact with the Mets.

January 18: Freddy Peralta, one of the top starters on the market, signs with Baltimore for 6/110 and who says you can't home again as Jack Flaherty joins his original club, St. Louis, for 2/34.

January 19: Former Rays star Randy Arozarena is now a Phillie on a 2/15 deal.

January 20: Big Rays news as longtime 1B/DH Yandy Diaz is now a Kansas City Royal, for 3/22. Might have kept him if I knew he'd take that little. Also it's not going to be much of an induction ceremony at Cooperstown this summer:



Pain for Andruw Jones.

January 22: Yet another former Ray is on the move as SP Jeffrey Springs joins St. Louis for 4/72.

January 24: Big day for free agent signings. First we say goodbye officially to Brandon Lowe as he signs with the Cubs for 5/155. And the big fish of this year's free agent market, superstar starter Tarik Skubal, goes to Washington on a whopping 6/258 contract.

January 25: OF Adolis Garcia joins Yandy Diaz in Kansas City on a 5/43 contract.

January 28: One of the original Tampa Bay Devil Rays was Dave Martinez, who went on to have a managerial career after serving as the Rays' bench coach for many seasons. Now we welcome another Dave Martinez to the organization as we've signed one of the top amateur IFAs. Take a look at the 2B/3B's power potential:



A long way to go for the 17-year-old but he's one to watch.

February 2: Anthony Bender, in our bullpen the last couple of years, is now with Atlanta on a 1-year, $3.8M deal.

February 3: Still another of our pitchers from last year is headed elsewhere as Bailey Ober signed a 2/61 deal with Baltimore which is kind of amazing since he was due about $8M in arbitration this year and nobody wanted to give me anything for him in trade.

February 16: Signed OFs Luis Robert Jr. and Ian Happ to minor league contracts with major league options.

A couple of RH-hitting OFs (Happ is actually a switch-hitter) who plied their trade in Chicago for most of their careers join the squad as depth and will each make $1.8M if promoted. Robert was once a touted up-and-coming star but only hit .200-12-57 with St. Louis last year while Happ hit .231-11-52 with the Cubs and neither had much of a market. Right now I don't project either making the team but we'll see.

And with that it's time to start the preseason schedule as the Rays look to get back to the playoffs once again.

[Art Deco]

The only injuries we had in the preseason were ones that were confined to it, so going into the season we have a healthy roster.

No real surprises on the Opening Day roster, which shakes out thus:

C-Baldwin, Susac
1B-Aranda
2B-B.Taylor
SS-C.Williams
3B-Caminero
IF-B.Matthews, Durbin (IF/OF)
LF-Ja.Duran
CF-Simpson
RF-J.Lowe
OF-DeLuca
DH-Isaac

SP-McClanahan, Ryan, Rasmussen, Senga, Bradley
LR-Faedo
MR-Lavender, Sands, Speier, Uceta
SU-Cleavinger, B.Stewart
CL-Jh.Duran

(just realized we have two J.Durans)

The only "surprise" cut was Kevin Kelly, who had options left when most of the rest of the bullpen didn't; I'm sure we'll need him soon enough. Also the vet OFs we signed to minor league deals (Happ, Robert) will start the year at Durham.

The preseason picks:



We're predicted for good things in large part due to run prevention as the predicted MLB-best team ERA of 3.37 is nearly two-tenths of a run better than the next team.

The season will start with the Yankees at home, but because we have teams starting overseas early we'll have to sit around for 8-9 days first.

[Art Deco]

Opening Day:



An exciting and successful opener that saw Duran come through big as well as some of the new acquisitions like Susac, Matthews and Durbin who were brought in to be used against lefties. Still had to overcome five Yankee homers but a win is a win.

Game 2:



Game 3:



Game 4:



Well it all went downhill after Opening Day as the Yankees took the next three including a tough 10-inning loss in the finale. We'll try to get going against the Phillies, who visit for 3 games.

Players of the Week:

AL: Jasson Dominguez (NY), 8-19, 2 HR, 6 RBI (which we had a front row seat to)
NL: Jackson Merrill (SD), 6-12, 3 HR, 8 RBI

MLB News: Atlanta ace Spencer Strider will be sidelined a month with a sore elbow.

[Art Deco]

Game 1:



A coming-out party for rookie slugger Xavier Isaac, who belted 3 HR and drove in 6 runs, singlehandedly leading the Rays to victory.

Game 2:



McClanahan's injury was minor.

Game 3:



An impressive sweep of the Phillies to wash the taste of losing 3 of 4 to the Yankees to start the season out of the Rays' mouths. Ryan was particularly impressive in the finale, pitching a perfect game for 5 2/3 and going 8 shutout innings.

[Art Deco]

Game 1:



Game 2:



Game 3:



After a nice win in the first game, their fourth straight, things got real ugly real quickly in the last two games. They'll try to right the ship in Toronto, where they'll play four games.

A look at the early standings:



Players of the Week:

AL: Max Kepler (CLE), 10-18, 1 HR, 3 RBI
NL: Corbin Carroll (ARI), 11-24, 3 HR, 9 RBI

MLB News: St. Louis lost SS Masyn Winn for 8 weeks thanks to a forearm strain.

[Art Deco]

Game 1:



Game 2:



A monster game for Caminero with 2 HR and 7 RBI. DeLuca was hit immediately after a Caminero homer and started a brawl with the pitcher, earning a 3-game suspension. Jake Mangum was recalled from Durham to take his spot during that time.

Game 3:



A rough game for the staff as Rasmussen left after two batters (he'll be fine for his next start) and then Stewart left with back tightness. It's only a 4-day moderate injury but we ILed him anyway to get a fresh arm, in this case Kevin Kelly.

Game 4:



What started as a promising series ended up a split, as nobody is getting much going in the AL East (Toronto leads the division now). Next up: The long road trip concludes with 3 at Yankee Stadium.

MLB News: Dodgers superstart Shohei Ohtani hit career homer #300.

[Art Deco]

Game 1:



Transaction: Jonny DeLuca is back from his suspension so Jake Mangum is sent back to Durham.

Game 2:



What an incredible game from Caminero.

Game 3:



And despite the win a truly ugly game for J.Lowe.

Nothing wrong with going into Yankee Stadium and taking two out of three.



An incredible start for Carson Williams, outplaying everyone in the big leagues so far this season.

Players of the Week:

AL: This guy:



Massive, massive week for Junior.

NL: Nick Martini (COL), 11-26, 2 HR, 6 RBI

[Art Deco]

Game 1:



Caminero's insanely hot start to the season continued in this one.

Game 2:



The rookie Isaac's been very productive for the year even if he's crammed most of that production into two games: his earlier 3-homer effort and today's 4-5, 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI performance.

Game 3:



After a stuttering start to the season the Rays have now won five straight, including this sweep of the Mets with Senga beating his former team in the finale for his first win as a Ray. We remain 1 1/2 behind 13-6 Boston, however as they've gotten hot as well.

A couple of notes: Williams leads MLB in WAR with 1.7 already and Taj leads the AL in strikeouts with 30 despite struggling overall so far in his comeback season from Tommy John surgery. Next up: An off-day then the A's visit for 3 games.

MLB News: Bryce Harper had a game he'll never forget as he went 4-5 with 2 HR and 3 RBI against the Cubs. Yes it was a big day but what made it truly memorable was that he reached a pair of milestones during it: HR #400 and career hit #2000. Not often so you see a player hit two round numbers like that in the same game (although homer #400 was hit #1998 and the second was hit #2001 so he didn't accomplish the feat with the same swing).

Rays News: We signed veteran 1B Christian Walker to a minor league contract with a pro-rated $2.8M major league option after he was released by the Astros. He signed a big free agent contract in the 24/25 offseason which turned out to be a bust as he hit only 29 homers over a season and half's worth of at-bats while just clearing the Mendoza Line. We'll see if he's got something left in the tank although right now we don't need him. He'll join fellow MLB vets Ian Happ and Luis Robert Jr. at Durham, where both of those guys are tearing it up.

[Art Deco]

Game 1:



Game 2:



Game 3:



A high-scoring series in which the Rays dropped 2 of 3 at home. The offense hasn't been an issue (2nd in MLB in runs) but the defense (27th in MLB) and pitching (18th in ERA) have been. As a result the Rays are just 3 games over .500 and in the wild card mix although of course it's very early.



Williams and Caminero the two most dominant players in the AL so far. Bodes well for the future. Next up: 3 games in Texas against the Rangers.

Players of the Week:

AL: Cam Smith (HOU), 10-25, 4 HR, 11 RBI
NL: Bryce Harper (PHI), 11-24, 5 HR, 8 RBI

MLB News: The Mets, off to a dismal 5-17 start as we saw when the Rays swept them, had things go from bad to worse with star catcher Francisco Alvarez done for the season with a torn ACL. Speaking of power-hitting catchers, former Royals mainstay and current Astro Sal Perez hit career homer #300.

[Art Deco]

Game 1:



Game 2:



Game 3:



The Rays remained red-hot, winners of 8 of 10 now after sweeping Texas and after starting the year 8-8. They got the sweep despite repeated problems with the bullpen, which had to be overcome late in the last two games. One reliever not having problems though is Nate Lavender, who has pitched 14.2 innings and allowed only one hit. Meanwhile Shane McClanahan continues to be plagued by the longball and has now allowed a whopping 8 homers in 28 IP so far. Still it's hard to argue with 16-10, even if they're 1 1/2 games behind Boston. Next up: An off-day then 3 games at Fenway with a chance to do something about that division deficit.

MLB News: The Mets' Tyler Nevin hit for the cycle, and Atlanta's Ronald Acuna Jr had a 3-homer game.

[Art Deco]

Game 1:



Game 2:



Not just a loss in the standings but a loss on the field as Drew Rasmussen suffered a torn back muscle which will keep him out until mid-September. At least he's not looking at a fourth arm surgery. He goes on the 60-day IL while Mason Englert is recalled from Durham.

Game 3:



Not the best of series as well fell 2 1/2 behind Boston. The good news is we head back to the Trop to start a homestand with Toronto up first for 3 games.

Transaction: We signed free agent SP Brady Singer to a one-year, $1.6M deal to take Rasmussen's place in the rotation. It's a downgrade of course (Singer wouldn't be out there still if he were as good) but hopefully he can pitch adequately. Englert was sent back to Durham.



It's gotta be back page Armageddon in the New York tabloids with the Yankees and Mets a combined 20-36 to start the season.

Players of the Month (April):

AL Batter: Logan O'Hoppe (LA), .330-12-25
NL Batter: Corbin Carroll (ARI), .337-6-27
AL Pitcher: Freddy Peralta (BAL), 4-0, 2.60, 35 K in 34.2 IP
NL Pitcher: Brayan Mendoza (MIA), 4-0, 3.03, 25 K in 29.2 IP
AL Rookie: Cam Smith (HOU), .311-5-18
NL Rookie: Braden Nett (SD), 2-0, 1.77, 35 K in 35.2 IP

Players of the Week:

AL: Bobby Witt Jr (KC), 14-26, 1 HR, 7 RBI
NL: Jackson Chourio (MIL), 10-21, 3 HR, 6 RBI

MLB News: Arizona signed SP Pablo Lopez to a 4/92 extension.

Rays News: A couple of our farmhands also received monthly awards with slugging OF prospect Brailer Guerrero going 22-44 with 6 HR and 13 RBI to win the Carolina League batter of the month, and we also had the league's top pitcher in Chris Villaman who went 3-0, 0.82 with 28 K in 22 IP.

[Art Deco]

Game 1:



Game 2:



The good news: A brilliant Rays debut from Brady Singer, we won't miss Rasmussen so much if he can pitch like this.

The bad news: Our top hitter Junior Caminero strained his oblique and will be lost for 5-6 weeks. D'oh!

Transaction: To replace Caminero who goes on the 15-day IL, Jonny DeLuca is back up from Durham. Brayden Taylor will shift over to 3B and platoon with Caleb Durbin while Gregory Barrios will get the bulk of the 2B starts.

Game 3:



The sweep of the Blue Jays has us within 1/2 game of Boston for the division lead. Next up: Minnesota visits for 3 games so they get to reunite with all their former pitchers (Ryan, Stewart, Sands, Duran).

[Art Deco]

Game 1:



Game 2:



Game 3:



5 runs in 3 games isn't exactly an encouraging sign after losing Junior Caminero to injury for 5-6 weeks, but thanks to superior pitching the Rays still managed to take 2 of 3 from Minnesota although I'm not sure that's a sustainable model. Nevertheless the series win enabled the Rays to move back into first. McClanahan's injury in the finale was minor and will only require his next start be pushed back a day, which shouldn't be a problem because we have an off-day before going to Seattle for 3 games.



Players of the Week:

AL: Taylor Ward (LA), 9-20, 3 HR, 7 RBI
NL: Michael Harris II (ATL), 13-22, 1 HR, 6 RBI

MLB News: Atlanta's Ronald Acuna Jr. strained a hamstring and will miss 4-5 week.

[Art Deco]

Game 1:



Game 2:



Game 3:



A great start to the road trip by taking two out of three in a tough place to win (and hit). Excellent pitching in the last two games was the difference. As a result they're 2 1/2 games up on Boston now in the division as the Red Sox are on a miserable 2-8 skid.

MLB News: Cincinnati has lost IF Matt McLain to a knee sprain for 4-5 weeks.

[Art Deco]

Transaction: Gregory Barrios wasn't cutting it at 2B (3-27), so he goes back to Durham and Brice Matthews is brought back up after hitting 412/524/765 in 34 AB with the Bulls.

Game 1:



The Rays hung on for the win but lost Garrett Cleavinger to shoulder tendinitis. It's not that bad but he'll need to go on the 15-day IL with veteran reliever Lucas Erceg coming up from Durham.

Game 2:



Thankfully the Rays did waste a gem from McClanahan in this one. After giving up an alarming 8 homers in his first 28 innings he hasn't allowed one in his last three starts covering 17 and boasts an impressive 5/48 K/BB ratio in 45 IP.

Game 3:



Unfortunate to drop the finale but can't complain about taking 4 of 6 combined in Seattle and Sacramento. And as you can see below the division lead has grown a little:



Players of the Week:

AL: Lawrence Butler (ATH), 9-26, 4 HR, 8 RBI
NL: Brandon Lowe (CHI), 10-19, 3 HR, 9 RBI

Next up for the Rays: A day off to return home where we'll play 3 against Baltimore.