The Tampa Bay Rays are heading into the 2025 season with a new-look Tropicana Field and a roster that’s been shuffled more than most this winter - but whether that translates into wins in the AL East is still very much up in the air.
Let’s start with the big picture: the Rays were busy this offseason. Really busy.
They pulled off nine trades and signed three free agents, but the overall impact of those moves is being met with skepticism around the league. The additions?
More quantity than quality, at least on paper.
Tampa Bay’s front office clearly had a strategy, though it wasn’t one that involved opening up the checkbook. The club’s new ownership group has prioritized the long-term vision - namely, securing a new stadium - over making splashy additions in free agency. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean the Rays will head into 2025 with a roster that’s more about potential value than proven star power.
Here’s what they did do: they brought in outfielders Jake Fraley and Cedric Mullins on one-year deals, worth $3 million and $7 million, respectively. Both are capable players with upside - Fraley brings a lefty bat and some pop, while Mullins offers speed and defense in center. Still, neither move screams “game-changer.”
On the pitching side, left-hander Steven Matz was signed to a two-year, $15 million deal. Matz has had flashes of effectiveness in the past, and if he can stay healthy and consistent, he could be a solid middle-of-the-rotation arm. But again, this isn’t a blockbuster addition.
The Rays also made a notable trade to acquire second baseman Gavin Lux from the Reds in a three-team deal. Lux is still trying to fully establish himself in the big leagues, but he’s a former top prospect with athleticism and versatility - a classic Rays-style pickup.
All told, the Rays’ offseason has been about staying nimble, not going big. The hope is that once the new stadium is fully operational, it’ll open the door to increased revenue and, in turn, more flexibility when it comes to payroll. But for now, the club is sticking to its tried-and-true formula: find value, develop talent, and compete with smarts rather than spending.
In a brutally tough AL East, though, that approach is going to be tested. The division is stacked, and without a significant injection of top-tier talent, the Rays could be staring up at the rest of the pack in 2025.