The Tampa Bay Rays are doing what they’ve always done best: threading the needle between staying competitive now and building something bigger for the future. President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander made that clear Friday, even as the team undergoes a significant roster transformation this offseason. And while there’s plenty of buzz about a potential new stadium opening in 2029, Neander insists this isn’t some new “wait-until-then” strategy - it’s just the Rays being the Rays.
If you’ve followed this franchise since its breakout in 2008, none of this should come as a surprise. Back then, Andrew Friedman - the architect of that first winning era - talked often about keeping “one eye on the present and one eye on the future.”
That philosophy hasn’t changed. The Rays have never been the type to go all-in for a single season, nor have they blown it up for a full rebuild.
Instead, they’ve mastered the art of staying in the mix year after year, even on a tight budget.
The results speak for themselves: 18 seasons, nine playoff appearances, and 1,523 wins - the third most in Major League Baseball during that span. That kind of sustained success doesn’t happen by accident.
This offseason has brought its fair share of moves, with the Rays trading away several established big-leaguers and bringing in a mix of prospects and short-term veteran deals. But Neander is quick to point out that this isn’t a departure from the norm - and certainly not a directive from the team’s new ownership. If anything, it’s a continuation of the same disciplined approach that’s defined the Rays for nearly two decades.
Take the trade that sent outfielder Josh Lowe to another club in exchange for second baseman Gavin Lux. That’s not a prospect-for-veteran swap - it’s a big-leaguer for a big-leaguer, and Lux even comes with a higher salary. Moves like that show the Rays aren’t simply punting on the present.
Still, when you zoom out and look at the sheer number of prospects added over the past year - especially during the 2024 trade deadline selloff - it’s clear the Rays are planting seeds for something bigger down the road. And yes, the hope is that the timing lines up with a new stadium that could finally give the franchise a permanent home and a higher national profile.
“We know we have new ownership and we know they are exhausting themselves on trying to secure a permanent home for our organization,” Neander said. “With that, we want to make sure the talent, and the infrastructure of talent underneath, is something that’s ready to match that excitement when that time comes.”
That long-term vision doesn’t mean the Rays are writing off the next few seasons. Not even close. The American League East is as tough as ever, but Neander believes this team still has enough to compete - and maybe surprise a few people along the way.
“You just can’t totally overlook the season in front of you,” he said. “We want to make sure we’ve got a club that can go out there and compete, and if the ball bounces their way, that you’re competing for a postseason spot.”
That’s classic Rays thinking - stay in the fight, give your players a shot, and let the chips fall where they may. It’s worked before, and Neander isn’t betting against it working again.
Meanwhile, the stadium situation is inching forward. A key meeting is scheduled for Tuesday to begin the process of securing land on the Hillsborough College campus across from Raymond James Stadium.
That’s just step one. The bigger hurdle will be locking in what could be more than $1 billion in public funding to help make the new ballpark a reality.
Off the field, the Rays are also navigating the changing media landscape. Financially troubled Main Street Sports Group - the parent company of FanDuel Sports Network - has reportedly offered revised three-year TV deals to teams like the Rays that recently cut ties.
But those offers hinge on the company being sold. The Rays could also explore other broadcast options or join the growing group of teams letting MLB handle game production and distribution.
On the roster side, there are some new jersey numbers to note. Jonathan Aranda will wear No. 8, previously worn by the recently traded Brandon Lowe.
Hunter Feduccia switches to No. 9.
Among the newcomers: Cedric Mullins takes No. 31, Jake Fraley gets 17, Yoendrys Gomez becomes the first Ray to wear No.
94, Gavin Lux grabs No. 11, Steven Matz wears 32, and Steven Wilson takes 24.
Yandy Díaz landed at No. 71 on MLB Network’s list of the top 100 players - the only Ray so far in the 41-100 range. On the international front, the Rays are drawing attention again, with Baseball America highlighting their signing class - led by shortstops Victor Valdez and Fabricio Blanco - as one of the most exciting in the game.
DraftKings Sportsbook has the Rays’ win total over-under set at 78.5, a number that reflects the uncertainty but also the potential for a team that’s often outperformed expectations.
There are also some fun connections and milestones: Josh Lowe and Gavin Lux were both part of the same pre-draft workout at Tropicana Field back in 2016 - Lowe went 13th to the Rays, Lux 20th to the Dodgers. The Angels plan to try Lowe in centerfield.
Prospect Jadher Areinamo, added to the 40-man roster in November, was named top rookie in the Venezuelan Winter League. And several top 2025 draft prospects - including Daniel Pierce, Cooper Flemming, Dean Moss, and Taitn Gray - visited the Dominican Republic last week as part of a team-run educational program to better understand the backgrounds of future teammates.
Xavier Isaac and Tre’ Morgan continue to climb the ranks among first base prospects, checking in at No. 9 and No. 10, respectively, on MLB.com’s latest list. No Rays pitchers or catchers made the cut - at least not yet - with more prospect rankings still to come.
Bottom line: The Rays are staying true to form. They’re not blowing it up, and they’re not going all-in.
They’re building - carefully, deliberately, and with an eye on both the now and the next. Whether it’s 2026 or 2029, the goal remains the same: compete, evolve, and be ready when the moment comes.