The Tampa Bay Rays’ 2025 season was a grind in every sense of the word-on the field, off the field, and even at home. Or rather, away from home.
It all started in November 2024, when Hurricane Milton dealt a heavy blow to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
With their home stadium out of commission, the Rays were forced to play their home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field-the New York Yankees’ spring training complex in Tampa.
That temporary relocation added a layer of adversity to an already transitional season. But in 2026, the Rays are heading back to the Trop, and that return could have ripple effects on their roster construction-starting with the potential reunion with right-hander Zack Littell.
According to reports, Tampa Bay has been eyeing Littell for a possible comeback. The 30-year-old is still on the free agent market and was recently ranked as the fifth-best starting pitcher available.
And while he’s not a flashy name, Littell continues to quietly put up solid numbers. His 2025 season came with its share of home runs allowed-no doubt a concern-but his ability to eat innings and limit runs still stood out.
Over the past two seasons, Littell has made 61 starts, logged 343 innings, and posted a 3.61 ERA with a combined 6.0 bWAR. That’s the kind of consistency that teams value, especially from a mid-rotation arm.
The Rays know that firsthand. After claiming Littell off waivers from the Giants in May 2023, Tampa Bay converted him into a full-time starter the next season-a move that paid dividends.
He became a dependable piece of their rotation before being traded to the Reds at the 2025 deadline. Now, with Tropicana Field’s spacious dimensions back in play, the Rays believe they can help Littell take another step forward.
The thinking is simple: a bigger ballpark might help mitigate his home run issues, allowing his strike-throwing and workload to shine even brighter.
As one analyst put it, “Dang, that’s a lot of home runs… but even those don’t distract from both the workload and the run prevention of Zack Littell’s 2025 season.” That quote sums it up well.
Littell may not be an ace, but he’s a reliable No. 5 with the potential to be more-especially in the right environment. And Tropicana Field might just be that environment.
While the rotation could use a boost, the Rays’ offseason hasn’t exactly been about making big splashes. In fact, their approach has leaned more toward long-term planning than immediate contention. One report gave their winter moves a “C+” grade, noting that the front office focused more on adding depth to the farm system than making major upgrades to the big-league roster.
The most notable additions so far? Outfielders Jake Fraley and Cedric Mullins, along with lefty Steven Matz, all joined via free agency.
Meanwhile, Gavin Lux and Justin Henry-Malloy arrived through trades. But none of those moves scream “win-now.”
Instead, they reflect a front office that’s prioritizing flexibility and future assets over short-term firepower.
Part of that strategy ties back to ownership’s focus on infrastructure. Last month, the Rays announced plans for a new stadium on the 113-acre Mabry Campus of Hillsborough College in Tampa. It’s a bold step toward establishing a long-term home-and a clear signal that ownership is more interested in securing the franchise’s future than inflating payroll in the present.
The Rays also made a flurry of trades this offseason, including a five-for-one deal involving top arm Shane Baz. While that trade brought back a haul, it’s the kind of move that won’t be fully assessed for years. For now, it adds to the sense that Tampa Bay is playing the long game.
Still, if the Rays want to stay competitive in the AL East, they’ll need more than just prospects and blueprints. A reunion with Zack Littell wouldn’t be a headline-grabber, but it could be a smart, low-cost move that fits their current trajectory-especially with a return to Tropicana Field on the horizon.
And for a team that’s always looking for value in the margins, Littell might just be the kind of arm that makes a difference.