Rays Report to Spring Training with a New Look and a Renewed Edge
PORT CHARLOTTE - After back-to-back losing seasons, the Tampa Bay Rays aren’t just tinkering around the edges anymore. This offseason wasn’t about minor upgrades or hoping for a bounce-back. It was about reshaping the roster, raising the talent floor, and building a camp environment where nothing is guaranteed - except competition.
President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander made it clear: simply running it back wasn’t good enough. The Rays needed to be better, and they weren’t going to get there by standing still.
“We’ve had two seasons where the final record just wasn’t something we could be proud of,” Neander said. “We didn’t want to sit on our hands and hope for better. We wanted to give ourselves a real shot - and that meant getting into camp with strength in numbers.”
That mindset has shaped a very different spring training at the Charlotte Sports Complex. With pitchers and catchers officially reporting Wednesday and the first full workout Thursday morning, the tone is already set: jobs are up for grabs, and urgency is the name of the game.
Depth, Competition, and a Whole Lot to Prove
The Rays went into the winter planning for modest changes. But once the front office started making moves, it became clear this was going to be more than a light refresh. The result is a roster with more depth, more internal competition, and more players with something to prove - whether it’s bouncing back from injury, shaking off a down year, or simply trying to break through.
Manager Kevin Cash expects that dynamic to fuel a different kind of energy this spring.
“There’s going to be a little more urgency,” Cash said. “We’re not going to make a ton of decisions just off spring training performance, but guys are going to push each other. Not many of them are walking into camp feeling great about how last season ended.”
That’s especially true on the pitching side. The rotation has a new look but is anchored by familiar faces.
Drew Rasmussen, a 2025 All-Star, is back to lead the group. Ryan Pepiot and Shane McClanahan - the latter looking to return to form after being sidelined since August 2023 - round out a top three with serious upside.
Add in veteran newcomers Steven Matz and Nick Martinez, whose signing was finalized Tuesday night, and the Rays have a mix of experience, talent, and motivation.
Cash is eager to see how it all comes together.
“There’s going to be an eagerness to go out and perform,” he said. “I’ve watched our pitching staff over the years - they form a bond in spring.
They support each other, they push each other. That’s what we’re hoping to see again.”
Position Battles and New Faces
While the infield, catching corps, and rotation look relatively set, there are still battles brewing - especially in the bullpen and outfield.
The bullpen, always a key piece of the Rays’ puzzle, is shifting back to a committee approach for high-leverage situations after the team declined closer Pete Fairbanks’ option. That’s right in Cash’s wheelhouse, and with a deep pool of arms competing for eight spots, the Rays expect to have more viable options than roster slots - a good problem to have.
In the outfield, the overhaul is even more dramatic. The Rays didn’t go out and land one big-name star.
Instead, they brought in a mix of talent to create depth and flexibility. Top prospect Jacob Melton joins veterans Cedric Mullins and Jake Fraley in a group that could go eight deep.
That’s a clear shift in strategy - one that emphasizes internal competition and matchup versatility.
Neander acknowledged it might’ve been tempting to chase a marquee name, but the Rays saw value in reshaping the unit entirely.
“It would’ve been fun to go get one big guy,” he said. “But we think bringing in a handful of talented players can work just as well - maybe better.
If that means tough decisions at the end of camp, or some guys being upset about going to Triple-A, that’s OK. That’s what competition looks like.”
Familiar Core, New Edges
Not everything has changed. Third baseman Junior Caminero and DH Yandy Díaz were among the Rays’ top performers in 2025 and will again be key pieces. But around them, the supporting cast looks different - and the returning players know they need to raise their game.
Jonathan Aranda had an All-Star campaign before an injury ended his season in late July. Getting him back healthy could be a big swing.
Taylor Walls remains a defensive anchor at shortstop, but the Rays are hoping for more consistency at the plate. And with Brandon Lowe traded to Pittsburgh, Gavin Lux steps in as a veteran presence with something to prove.
The rotation, if healthy, could be a strength. But health has been a hurdle in the past - Rasmussen and McClanahan both have injury histories, and innings limits will likely be a factor. Still, if this group comes together, it has the potential to be one of the more balanced starting units Tampa Bay has fielded in recent years.
Setting the Tone
The message from the top down is clear: nothing is being taken for granted. Every spot is earned, and every player in camp has a shot to make an impression. That kind of internal pressure - the good kind - is what the Rays are banking on to flip the script in 2026.
“We’ve got a bunch of good guys that are highly competitive,” Cash said. “They want to show better this season than we did last year. And I think we will.”
Spring training is often about optimism, but this version of the Rays isn’t just hoping for a turnaround. They’ve built a roster designed to compete, challenge itself, and push for something more than just a winning record. After two years of falling short, they’re ready to fight their way back into the playoff conversation - one competitive inning at a time.