The American League East has never been for the faint of heart, but what we’re seeing this offseason is a full-blown arms race - and the Tampa Bay Rays, as always, are choosing to run their own unique route through it.
Let’s start with the Orioles, who are clearly not content with just being a feel-good story anymore. They’ve gone full throttle, adding big bats and proven arms.
First came the signing of Pete “Polar Bear” Alonso, a thunderous addition to a lineup that already had pop. Then came the trade for outfielder Taylor Ward, plus bullpen reinforcements in Ryan Helsley and Andrew Kittredge.
And they’re reportedly not done yet, with rotation upgrades still on the to-do list. Baltimore isn’t just trying to compete - they’re gunning for the top.
But they’re not alone. The Blue Jays, still stinging from falling just short of a World Series title, have been aggressive too.
They’ve added two starting pitchers - Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce - and bolstered the bullpen with Tyler Rogers. And they’re not ruling out a major splash at shortstop, whether that’s re-signing Bo Bichette or pivoting to a top-tier bat like Kyle Tucker.
Then there are the Yankees and Red Sox - two teams that made the postseason last year, have been relatively quiet so far, but are never far from the headlines. Expect both to make significant moves before the dust settles. Neither franchise is in the business of standing still, especially not in this division.
So where does that leave the Rays? Right where they always are - in the thick of the fight, doing things their way.
Tampa Bay’s big-ticket additions haven’t made the same headlines, but they’ve been strategic. Veteran lefty Steven Matz joins the rotation, while outfielders Jake Fraley and Cedric Mullins bring versatility and speed to the lineup. It’s a quieter approach, sure, but not a passive one.
Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander knows exactly what kind of battle his club is in for.
“This is the life of the AL East every single year,” Neander said. “It’s a gauntlet. It’s five teams that are all, more often than not, doing the best they can to win in any given year.”
That’s not just talk. The Rays have made a habit of competing with - and often outmaneuvering - teams with far deeper pockets. And while they’ve had back-to-back losing seasons, they’re not backing down.
“You can size us up all you want, we’re going to do our thing,” Neander added. “We’ve got to chart our own course, our own path, find our own way to compete with them. And that’s something we’ve done for a long time.”
That mindset has long defined the Rays - a franchise that turns overlooked talent into production and finds value where others don’t. They’re not chasing headlines; they’re chasing wins. And they’ve done it well enough to force the rest of the division to take them seriously, year in and year out.
Off the field, the Rays’ front office continues to be a breeding ground for executive talent. Anirudh Kilambi, who started with Tampa Bay as an R&D intern in 2015, was just named general manager of the Washington Nationals. It’s another example of the Rays’ influence stretching far beyond the field.
Kilambi’s rise mirrors that of others who’ve come through the Rays’ system. Blake Butera, formerly part of Tampa Bay’s player development staff, was recently hired by the Nationals as manager.
Carlos Rodriguez, a longtime Rays executive, has joined the White Sox in a front-office role. And Simon Rosenbaum, the Rays’ director of player development, will serve as Israel’s GM for the next World Baseball Classic.
On the player front, Pete Fairbanks remains one of the most intriguing free-agent relievers still on the market. The Rays declined his $11 million option, making him available to the rest of the league.
Opinions on his value vary - some believe he could land a two-year, $28 million deal like Ryan Helsley, while others point to his injury history and limited usage as reasons for caution. What’s clear is that Fairbanks has upside - and that teams are weighing risk versus reward in a tight reliever market.
There’s also been a bit of intrigue around former Rays manager Joe Maddon. While there’s been no formal offer, Maddon said he’d be open to returning in an advisory capacity.
“This is the one place that does interest me,” he said. That’s not a door being flung open, but it’s definitely not closed either.
As for roster tinkering, the Rays had shown interest in infielder Jorge Polanco - who ultimately signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the Mets. That interest may have been contingent on moving second baseman Brandon Lowe, but nothing materialized. Meanwhile, Ketel Marte was also on the radar, though his no-trade list reportedly includes the Yankees, among others.
The Rays did manage to save some money by waiving shortstop Ha-Seong Kim in September. He only played 24 games for Tampa Bay, but his departure shaved about $2 million off the books and cleared a potential 2026 obligation.
The Braves, who claimed Kim, saw him opt out of his $16 million deal for 2026 and re-sign for $20 million. Notably, Kim turned down a four-year, $48 million offer from the A’s to take the shorter deal and re-enter the market sooner.
On the trade front, the Rays sent outfielder Tristan Peters to the White Sox for either a player to be named later or cash. That makes him the 20th player from Tampa Bay’s 2025 roster or 60-day IL to be moved or let go - part of a broader reshuffling that’s been quietly ongoing.
In the broadcast realm, there are rumblings of FanDuel consolidating production sites, which could affect Rays pre- and postgame coverage. It’s something to monitor as the season approaches.
And in minor-league news, Reid Brignac - who recently rejoined the Rays as a Triple-A coach - was named Baseball America’s Minor League Manager of the Year for his work with the Mets’ Double-A affiliate in Binghamton.
Finally, a nod to Tampa native Lou Piniella. The former big-league skipper, who led the Reds to the 1990 World Series title, was just inducted into Cincinnati’s Hall of Fame. He’ll have another shot at Cooperstown in December 2026.
So yes, the AL East is a gauntlet - it always has been. But the Rays, as ever, are marching into it with their own blueprint.
They may not be the loudest, but they know who they are. And in a division full of heavyweights, that identity might just be their greatest strength.