Garrett Cleavinger Drawing Trade Interest, But Rays Have Little Incentive to Move the Lefty
Garrett Cleavinger is starting to generate some buzz on the trade front, with teams around the league checking in on the Rays about the veteran left-hander. While there’s no indication that a deal is imminent, it’s clear that contenders in need of bullpen help have taken notice of what Cleavinger brings to the table - and with good reason.
Now entering his seventh big league season and fourth full campaign with Tampa Bay, Cleavinger has quietly become one of the more effective left-handed relievers in the game. Since arriving from the Dodgers at the 2022 trade deadline, he’s been a steady presence in the Rays’ bullpen, posting a 2.96 ERA over 152 innings. That kind of consistency doesn’t go unnoticed, especially when it comes from a guy who’s shown the ability to get both lefties and righties out.
Last season, Cleavinger took things to another level. He turned in a career-best 2.35 ERA across 61 1/3 innings, backed by an elite 33.7% strikeout rate and a solid 7.4% walk rate.
Statcast loved what he was doing - his whiff and strikeout numbers were up there with the best in the league, and he did it all while holding opponents to a .244 BABIP and stranding over 91% of baserunners. That strand rate is eye-popping, and while it might suggest a little good fortune, nothing about his performance looked unsustainable.
What really stands out is how Cleavinger neutralized hitters from both sides of the plate. Right-handed batters managed just a .602 OPS against him, while lefties didn’t fare much better at .620. That kind of balance is rare for a lefty reliever, and it gives the Rays a ton of flexibility in how they deploy him - whether it’s matching up in high-leverage spots or bridging the gap to the ninth.
So, could the Rays move him? Sure - this is Tampa Bay we’re talking about.
They’re always open to conversations, and they’ve never been afraid to make a deal if the return is right. But there’s no urgency here.
Cleavinger is under team control through 2027, earning just $2.4 million this year with one more year of arbitration eligibility after that. For a reliever putting up his kind of numbers, that’s a bargain.
And let’s not overlook the Rays’ current bullpen situation. They don’t have a set closer heading into 2026.
Instead, it looks like a committee approach with Cleavinger, Edwin Uceta, Griffin Jax, and Bryan Baker all in the mix for save opportunities. Cleavinger, being the lone lefty projected to break camp with the bullpen, may be more valuable in matchup-based roles than as a traditional closer.
That left-handed depth - or lack thereof - is a big reason Tampa would be hesitant to deal him unless the offer is too good to pass up.
There’s also a health note worth keeping an eye on. Uceta is dealing with some shoulder soreness, though manager Kevin Cash downplayed the concern, saying the team expects him to be ready for Opening Day.
As a precaution, Uceta won’t pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. Meanwhile, Cleavinger and Jax are both set to represent Team USA in the tournament, giving them a chance to showcase their stuff on the international stage before the MLB season begins.
Bottom line: Garrett Cleavinger is a valuable piece of the Rays’ bullpen puzzle. He’s affordable, effective, and versatile - all things Tampa Bay values highly. Unless a team comes calling with an offer that knocks their socks off, don’t expect the Rays to part with their top lefty anytime soon.