Is an uneventful offseason enough for the Rays?

By Lily Belcher

It was a quiet off season for the Rays after a quick playoff exit in 2023. Rays fans watched the injured list get longer and longer, with big names, like ace Shane McClanahan, falling to surgeries that would sideline them for most of the 2024 season. The bullpen lacked the depth needed to keep up with the injuries and, by the end of the season, the pitching staff was tired and fans saw the weakened rotation led to the post season being cut short in Tampa Bay. Heading into the off-season, it would have been nice to see the Rays compete for players on the star-studded free agency list. However, the front office didn’t bite, sticking with the usual Rays trades that can be crushing, but understandable. This left fans shaking their heads, as it seems they do every year, but saying they’ll trust the front office, because they have a history of making the right move, even when it’s hard to see.

The expected, but heartbreaking trade of Tyler Glasnow to the Dodger was the biggest move for the Rays this offseason. Glasnow and outfielder Manuel Margot were sent to Los Angeles for Dodgers outfielder Johnny DeLuca and young starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot.

The Rays received Glasnow in a textbook Rays trade, giving up a less than impressive, but fan-favorite Chris Archer for Glasnow, who was struggling in Pittsburgh at the time. Pitching coach Kyle Snyder took the young righty under his wing, relating on height and the different pitching mechanics that come with being 6’8. Glasnow quickly found his spot in the Rays rotation and was a reliable strikeout starter until he was forced to get Tommy John. After struggling to match his impressive performance with the Rays before surgery, the writing was on the wall at the end of the 2023 season. The Dodgers were clearly looking for pitching, seeing that they took almost every big-name pitcher available, and the California native was available.

Manuel Margot joined Glasnow on the flight to Dodgers Stadium after the December trade as well. Margot had comfortably filled in the gaps in the outfield for the Rays, but his bat had been less than impressive, averaging .264 over his four years with the Rays. While he certainly didn’t have weak offensive production, he paled in comparison to the theatrics from Randy Arozarena, speed from Jose Siri and even the reliability of Josh Lowe. While Margot originally left the Rays to spend the 2024 season in Dodger blue, he was traded to the Twins within two weeks.

“That’s part of the game. It’s really hard, especially getting adapted. You have to get adapted really quick to the organization you’re going to,” Margot said following the trade to the Twins. “It wasn’t surprising. My lawyer had already told me in the morning that there was a move, that I had to be ready. I was expecting it.”

DeLuca, a 25-year-old left fielder from California, has a promising future with the Rays. With a constant demand for versatile players, DeLuca offers another utility player’s bat to the organization. DeLuca said he wasn’t expecting to get traded, but, when he was, he was welcomed to Tampa Bay “with open arms.” A fractured wrist from the Rays’ spring training exhibition game in the Dominican Republic will sideline him through the opening games of the season, but DeLuca will make his anticipated start in 4-6 weeks.

Ryan Pepiot deals for the Rays during Spring Training

Pepiot is expected to step into the starting rotation but is also looking forward to paddleboarding in St. Pete as he adjusts to the Florida coasts.

“I don’t think he has big shoes to fill,” Rays’ manager Kevin Cash said. “I want him to come in and fit into our group. He’s very talented.”

Among other trades to rock the Rays’ roster was the loss of switch-hitting utility player Vidal Brujan and relief pitcher Calvin Faucher. The pair of Rays were sent South to play for the Marlins in exchange for two prospects and a player to be named later or cash.

Brujan worked his way through Tampa Bay’s minor leagues before making his MLB debut in 2021. He became a regular face on the field, filling in when injuries plagued the field or when the lineup needed some variety. Still, he only batted .157 over his few appearances in the Majors.

Vidal Brujan prepares for the season with the Marlins

Peter Bendix, Marlins president of baseball operations an

d Rays front office alum, said Brujan has the potential to “be really successful” after he gets more comfortable in the big leagues.

Faucher served as a middle reliever for the Rays in 2022 and 2023, but only pitched 6.2 innings during his tenure. He was designated for assignment in November before being picked up by the Marlins.

The right-hander will fill a gap in the left-handed majority Miami bullpen. Bendix said Faucher has “really good stuff” and can serve as a bulk-inning reliever or fill in for a few outs when necessary.

The Rays dealt right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge and outfielder Luke Raley away at the beginning of January to the Cardinals and Mariners, respectively.

Kittredge played six seasons with the Rays before undergoing Tommy John in 2023. He consistently posted an ERA over 4.00 and gave up several runs in close games for the Rays, taking on the curse of being the Rays’ closer when he tried to close out a game. While the loss of another bullpen arm was a hit to the Rays’ pitching options in 2024, Tampa Bay did sign several minor league contracts with relievers in the off season.

Raley was sent to Seattle around the same time. While he had several strong at bats with key hits for the Rays, he was another outfielder taking up a roster space. The Rays have extensive outfielder options, especially with the addition of DeLuca, making Raley expendable.

With Opening Day quickly approaching, the Rays appear to be piecing together their pitching staff again this season. With some major arms expected back after their surgeries, including McClanahan and Drew Rasmussen, the Rays rotation could reclaim its title as the strongest in the league after the All-Star Break. The quiet off season says a lot about the faith the front office has in rehabilitating their arms fast. As long as those pitchers make strong returns, the lack of major additions to the roster might be understandable.