2026 in Getting Out of Tampa

 
The cycle continues. The Rays get something together, then realize they have to play their players, trade people away, and then once again the Rays get something together. Absolutely exhausting.

Right now the Rays have only 1 guy left from the 2020 A.L. Championship season, namely Yandy Diaz. Last season had 3, and two of them were actively either dealt or cut. Now it's down to one. Occasionally you hear talks of Junior Caminero getting a longterm extension, possibly Jonathan Aranda, but nothing permanent comes down. I'll give the Rays credit for signing more free agents than usual, as Steven Matz, Nick Martinez, Cedric Mullins and Jake Fraley wound up here in signings. But that's not distracting from the fact that any homegrown talent is there to attract trade promise and net them even more young, controllable players. This has been the MO since the Kevin Cash years, pure small ball without overextending. The few times they actually sign players, they gamble incorrectly, like with Wander Franco.

And then when people finally get out of Tampa, and get paid...then it's easier for them to have breakout seasons, or even just strong years in general. You're seeing that all around. Taj Bradley got dealt last year for Griffin Jax, and so far he's been one of the best players on a rough Twins roster, going 2-0 with 22 Ks in his first 3 starts. Every bit uncomfortable and unpolished Bradley felt in Tampa is gone, and he's more confident than ever in Minneapolis. Then you have Brandon Lowe, who had another great season last year, then got traded to the Pirates and has been extremely helpful for them this year, with 4 RBIs and 3 home runs in 11 games, in addition to some traditionally strong infield play. Lowe looked to be one of the Rays' last two veterans, and now he's playing for a team that actually seems to be going somewhere.

Sifting through each of the other rosters, it is very easy to find players the Rays gave up on to meet a budget quota. And while we're here...

Angels: Josh Lowe, a late offseason trade loss thanks to a strong desire for Gavin Lux. Lowe was a fairly regular producer for the Rays, and with the Angels he's been slower to start but still getting enough reps.

Astros: Isaac Paredes, one of the Rays' more baffling midseason trades, is the starting third baseman in Houston, and already has 4 doubles and 5 RBIs in a prime position in this lineup. 

A's: Jeffrey Springs, in case none of you are aware, nearly no-hit my team today. That happening now...just seems way too on the nose. The Rays got rid of him a year ago after they grew tired of waiting for him to come back to full power, and the A's actually gave him some money. Only a matter of time before his arm gives out again though. 

Brewers: Jake Bauers was last with the Rays back before any of these people whose departures have pissed me off were even with the team, really. He got sent to Cleveland in the deal that traded Yandy Diaz to Tampa. Since then his career has died and come back, and now he's a handy bench bat with Milwaukee. 

Cardinals: Matthew Liberatore was a longtime Rays organizational staple before he was dealt for Jose Martinez [and also another guy named Arozarena]. He finally made it to the bigs, and is the closest thing the team has to an ace right now. 

Dodgers: Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell, most notably.

Giants: One of the most egregious ones was Willy Adames, traded during a peak season solely to make room for Wander Franco. Then, when he was suspended and they were left with Taylor Walls and a clearl-not-ready-yet Junior Caminero, they had no one to blame but themselves.

Mariners: Lots, honestly. Randy Arozarena, Luke Raley, Cooper Criswell. Arozarena, like Paredes, was one of those 'you're just doing this to avoid paying him' deals, and while Arozarena has found more success in Seattle, he really should have become a Rays hero. 

Marlins: Xavier Edwards was another infield prospect that just couldn't find room, then got dealt and found playing time and his mojo. Pete Fairbanks was a truly unfair post-2025 cut, and had been doing well enough in a closing role for the Marlins before going on paternity leave. 

Nationals: Zack Littell had become a really nice starting piece for the Rays, and for his troubles he was dealt to the Reds. Now the Nats have him, and he's been serviceable. 

Orioles: Andrew Kittredge ended last year with the Cubs, yet still had a desire to return to the Orioles, because he seemed to enjoy it so much in the first half. That's not even mentioning folks like Shane Baz and Zach Eflin, two pieces of a near-powerful rotation that the Rays had no incentive to keep. 

Padres: You may recall that Jake Cronenworth was a Rays farmhand before his inclusion in the Hunter Renfroe deal. Dodged that bullet, I guess, or else, like Renfroe, he might be a journeyman by now.

Pirates: Jake Mangum and Mason Montgomery were also sent to Tampa in the Lowe deal. Both have found niche roles in Pittsburgh that aren't terribly different from their niche roles in Tampa.

Reds: Both Nathaniel Lowe and Emilio Pagan had crucial roles in competitive Rays teams. Neither have had tremendous starts to this season, but Pagan at least has 4 saves right now. 

Twins: Joe Ryan, like Bradley, was a Rays farmhand. Ryan was dealt for Nelson Cruz, found his way up in Minnesota and became a star.

Yankees: The Rays really could have kept Jose Caballero if they wanted to, but they traded the then-season saves leader to the Yankees, and since then Cabby's been a wise, trusty infield fill-in. 

I'm not sure if any lockout or bargaining agreement or salary cap or ANYTHING can change the way the Rays run their team. It's a very cheap way of doing business, and with no checks or balances against it from the MLB level, they're gonna keep doing it. I don't think they'll ever win a World Series this way, and I don't think the Rays Wall of Fame will be especially long if every plaque ends with 'after a strong four seasons he was dealt to a competitor, where he was paid more and won a World Series'. 

Coming Tomorrow- One of many pieces of proof in Anaheim that good things come to those who wait.

Lowe You See Him...

 

It's inevitable that at least one Tampa Bay Ray overstays their welcome by like a year in between regime changes. Aubrey Huff, Carl Crawford, Evan Longoria, Kevin Kiermaier. And now it's Brandon Lowe, and arguably Yandy Diaz as well. This isn't really the team that made the World Series in 2020--the bullpen's different, a new youth movement has taken over...they're not even playing in the same stadium. They're at Steinbrenner Field, which at the very least isn't a dump like the Trop is, but there's no choice but for things to feel very different.

And yet Brandon Lowe persists. The funny thing about that, and putting him into the same category as those other guys, is that those other guys had multiple great seasons. Brandon Lowe has had 2019...and 2021, which was statistically better and close to an 100 RBI year, but he usually only makes 110 or so games a year, if that, he strikes out a ton, hasn't hit for average since the pandemic and just...continues to mosey around the back of this lineup. And yes, he's honestly done some nice stuff so far this year for the Rays, hitting 11 RBIs and 3 homers, but...he's not a well rounded player. He's still hitting like .239 right now, and that's honestly what his final average might be as well. The Rays right now have too many players that refuse to have other dimensions yet statistically still get favored. Taylor Walls is like that too. He's a great shortstop, but I don't want him on my team. Dude hits .170 every year. Ideally your starting shortstop should not be hitting .170. This didn't work when they had Mike Zunino hitting .170 and it doesn't work for me now. The only thing Taylor Walls has going for him to keep that position is that he's not a convicted felon. He's one lucky guy, I'll say that. You can really just...move Caminero over to third...make Caballero the backup...just to keep Taylor Walls in your lineup. Maddening.

What really excites me about this team are some of the young guys who DO have dimensions. Jonathan Aranda's made 1st his own this year, and he's hitting .377 with 11 RBIs and 3 homers. Caminero finally feels at home in the majors, with 5 homers already. Kameron Misner's still hitting .400 with some excellent contact work. Rasmussen and Baz are off to excellent starts, which means now the Rays start hoping they get through without injuring themselves. Really the only people who aren't hitting for this Rays team are the 30-year-olds and...well, Taylor Walls. 

Even with all this progress, the Rays really have to hold onto Lowe and Diaz, because they're really the chaperones here. This is not a team ready to truly compete, and as this Yankees series is already showing, they're gonna need to really build on this before they can be a true match. And Carlos Rodon striking out nearly the whole team isn't how you prove you can dance with the big boys. 

Coming Tomorrow- We got him relatively cheap but he's somehow been the best pitcher in Philly this season.

Odd Timing for a Backup Plan

 

The Rays are technically still in the playoff race, but only nominally. They're 6.5 games out of a wild card spot, and while the Mariners are dropping like a stone the Rays are steadily winning around as many as they're losing. The main issue is that because they lightened the load and sent some of their big pieces packing, they no longer hold a candle to the Yankees, Orioles, Red Sox or even the lighter-but-still-hot Blue Jays. The Jays at least have someone like Vlad Jr. hitting like a storm, and the Rays really don't have an everyman type of guy like that anymore. 

So really, it's been on Brandon Lowe's shoulders for a lot of the year. Lowe was a big deal in 2019, coming in as a defensively-inclined rookie with power perks, and made waves with an incredible 2021 where he chased 40 homers, but never really provided consistent offensive support after that. 2024 has been something of a return to form for Lowe, as he's hit .248 with 14 homers and 48 RBIs, while also fully embracing the leadership position that's no doubt been placed upon him. Lowe is a rare above-average hitter that's stayed consistent in Tampa this year, and it's really only him and Yandy Diaz left who can be really relied upon at the plate right now. 

However, the Rays have recently been revitalized by the activations of Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen, who'd both been hurt for a year. Springs' activation came at the same time Jason Adam was dealt, meaning Springs found a very funny way of becoming the last remaining member of the Pride Month holdouts in Tampa. Since coming back, Springs has been...reminiscent of his 2022 self without completely bowling people over. He's got a 3.86 ERA and 21 Ks in 4 starts, meaning his 0.00 start to 2023 may have just been very circumstantial. Rasmussen is similarly mediocre so far, with a 5.40 ERA in 3 appearances, only 1 of them starting. Rasmussen will likely get more starts now that Zach Littell is hurt, but he'll need to quickly return to form. Taj Bradley and Ryan Pepiot are still strong at the head of the rotation, but this is a team that's seen pitchers really dominate, and the bar is 'well he's doing well enough right now' this year.

Additionally, we're seeing Junior Caminero back in the majors, and he's already got 3 hits in as many games. The general idea right now seems to be, instead of embracing the low budget, for-rent strategy that got the Rays this far, trying to plug in as many people that worked last year [a year where they actually made the playoffs] and hoping that works. And at the moment it's only working so much. They do match up well against Arizona, but they've had a dismal August so far, and seeing that it ends with games against the Dodgers, Mariners and Padres, it may not be a given that things improve. I think the Rays can never be completely counted out, but if someone like Springs can't provide much of a spark then I don't know what to tell you.

Coming Tomorrow- After people left at the deadline he was brought up to conserve energy, and I'd say he's been doing a good job of that.

The 25-Year Plan

 

It is wild to me that the last two MLB expansion teams are celebrating their 25th years this year. When I started collecting, the D-Backs and Rays were still new, and didn't have full histories yet. As a matter of fact, 2007 was a turning point for both teams; the D-Backs changed their uniforms to the now-standard maroon-and-gold, and brought up Justin Upton, while the Rays brought up Evan Longoria and dropped the 'Devil' in their name once in for all. When I entered the hobby, I associated the Diamondbacks with Randy Johnson and heartbreak in 2001, and I associated the Rays with losing. 

It's very funny, in hindsight, how one of these teams is the more successful one both organizationally and in postseason victories, and it's not the won that's won a World Series. The Diamondbacks' win in 2001, the result of a Golden Knights-esque draft lottery goldmine and some well-timed signings, came three years into the team's history, yet the D-Backs never got that close to a ring again. They were in the running in 2007, making the NLCS come down to two post-90s expansion teams, but the Rockies had their number in all four games, Upton be damned. The Rays, meanwhile, have more playoff appearances, have appeared in more World Series', and despite a 2-0 record in ALCSs, are more likely to reach a division series and lose. 

Overall, as I write this, the Rays have 10 more wins than the Diamondbacks. As I write this Friday night they have 1997 wins. The Rays are going to win their 1998th game 25 years after debuting in 1998. It may have happened already. I kinda hope not, I want the Mariners to win some games, but it will happen very soon, and that'll be absolutely crazy. Plus, with the Diamondbacks as strong as they are, there's a chance they'll win THEIR 1998th game this season as well. Both might notch #2000 too, that'd be pretty cool.

And this is a year where both these teams are in line for spots in the postseason. The Rays are basically a lock for that first wild card spot, and are continuing their success as a low budget team making the most out of lesser-known talent. Even with all the small players that have been great this year, of late Brandon Lowe, the team's own homegrown star, has been pretty impressive, with 8 RBIs and 10 home runs since September began. Lowe is looking at, at the very least, a 20+ homer year, and another year of seeing his Rays compete. He's also surrounded by even more great performances and players at every position other than, for some strange reason, shortstop. Even if the Rays don't have the exclamation point they usually are equipped with, they're a favorite for the playoffs and could do some great things.

The Diamondbacks however have more of an uphill battle, even if they do currently hold onto a wild card spot. The Reds and Marlins are very close behind them, and even if the Giants have fallen behind they're technically not out of it yet. The D-Backs are still doing well, and are coming off an incredible complete game shutout by Zac Gallen. They're 5-3 in September already. Not only have they hung onto Carroll and Walker despite supposed injuries, but now Jordan Lawlar's up with the team and he's already looking like an impressive lineup piece. It also helps that Alek Thomas is steadier and more consistent at the plate that he was to begin the season, and while he's not as powerful as he was a rookie, he's still a nice piece of a much fuller and more versatile D-Backs squad. They're a favorite for a postseason spot, and even with cutthroat matches against the Cubs and Giants up ahead, they have a nice shot at ending up sitting in the right chair.

Even if there hasn't been any more expansion teams since 1998, the fact that these last two have been so successful, and have added needed elements to the league, is a refreshing sign 25 years after their arrival. Say what you will about either of these teams, but they've made their respective divisions a ton more interesting, and are making the playoff picture this year even more exciting.

Coming Tomorrow- A man who hits home runs, and doesn't do much else. Wouldn't want him on any of the other 29 teams, though.

Lowe or Never

 

There are officially two teams at the top of the AL East. The Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees have cut down the Sox's lead, and the Rays have caught up. Meanwhile, all three teams will likely be stocking up in the coming week. So...now what?

Well, the Rays are having one of the most intriguing trade years in some time. Their first move of the season was trading their shortstop, Willy Adames, to Milwaukee in exchange for bullpen help in the form of Drew Rasmussen and J.P. Feyereisen. Why did they need bullpen help? A week earlier, they had cut Hunter Strickland and let the Angels take him. They had solved a problem they had helped to create themselves. 

Then they had the issue of shortstop, which couldn't be fixed by Taylor Walls or even Wander Franco [though Franco is sloooowly getting better]. It is an issue that still persists, and could be helped by trading for one of the many infield pieces on the block. They did have a lot of outfielders and flexibility there, but by making the first big move of the July deadline season to get Nelson Cruz, the Rays made that situation even more crowded. Manuel Margot is hurt, yes, but now Austin Meadows has to play outfield more often, which is not his strength, and Brett Phillips is now more of a bench/alt type. 

Meanwhile, starting pitching became an issue once Tyler Glasnow got hurt. It would have been less of an issue if they hadn't traded Trevor Richards to the Brewers all the way in May. So then they had Ryan Yarbrough, Shane McClanahan, Michael Wacha, Rich Hill and Josh Fleming all capable of starting, which was a solid rotation but a bit thin. So...then they trade Rich Hill to the Mets. Why?? What good comes of that? Now you need pitching help again? Today, Drew Rasmussen started, and by the grace of the Tampa offense he did a nice job, but...at this point, the Rays have less of a solid rotation and more suggestions at this point. The only person starting games that's started every single one has been McClanahan, the rookie. That's odd.

The Rays have proved that they are buyers this season, and that they are competitors. But whenever they fix something, something else falls off, and it's usually their fault. Some things, though, happened on their own- Brandon Lowe's average stopped being a factor, Glasnow got caught with sticky stuff and promptly got injured trying to pitch without it, Meadows is getting colder, and the bullpen still isn't perfect. 

It's very possible that the Rays could get past all of this and still make it to the playoffs, and they've overcome worse issues in the past. But this is a lot of very suspect and very confounding behavior from a team that just won an AL title, and I hope some of it works out for them.

Coming Tonight: Three seasons into his contract, he finally started hitting like he used to for the Phillies.

2020 Topps Final Edition: Card #199-207

 Today, we reach the 200-card-marker of this set. I've been plugging these in since February, and now in early May we get to card 200. Not bad at all. Hope you guys are still enjoying the set. 

Here are the next 9 cards, including the hero card.

#199- Brandon Lowe ASG, Tampa Bay Rays

In a season where D.J. LeMahieu, Cesar Hernandez and Nick Madrigal all would have racked up votes, Brandon Lowe would have been the starting 2nd baseman of the AL team if the 2020 All Star Game had happened. Putting the 2020 season into context, it shouldn't be much of a shocker- Lowe had an incredible sophomore season, being among the chief difference-makers for the Rays, and leading them to a World Series. While Lowe's numbers have been a bit more human so far, he's still healthy and relatively reliable right now in a slightly thinner roster climate.

Card #200- Alec Bohm, Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies fans had been waiting a few years for Alec Bohm to hit the majors, especially after his impressive minor league numbers in Lehigh Valley and Reading. Midway through the 2020 season, Bohm hit Philly, and in 44 games, hit .338 with 23 RBIs, finishing 2nd in the Rookie of the Year voting to Devin Williams. He established himself as a strong option at third almost immediately, and gave the fans confidence that is fraying now that Bohm seems resigned to hitting around .200 this year. 

Card #201- Chad Kuhl, Pittsburgh Pirates

Yeah, no Chad Kuhl card in 2020 Topps. I know. Kuhl missed 2019 with Tommy John surgery, returned to the rotation in 2020 as a strong enough option, pitched a 4.27 ERA in 9 starts with 44 Ks, and was one of the more consistent players for the Pirates last year. He was given a high ranking in the rotation this year, and he's currently on the IL. That is the exhilaration of Pirates baseball for you.

Card #202- Salvador Perez ASG, Kansas City Royals

As Salvador Perez continues to be one of the most consistently-excellent catchers in the game, the 2020 All Star Game would have been his seventh, as well as his triumphant return. The best part is that the year of injury did nothing to dull Perez' abilities, as 2020 was still a very strong year for him, with his 2.1 WAR being very much on par with other recent numbers. Perez has been doing well this season so far, and hopefully he'll get his ASG moment this year.

Card #203- Jesus Sanchez, Miami Marlins

One of the SEVERAL youngsters the Marlins called up during the 2020 season, Jesus Sanchez was called up specifically to aid the team after Starling Marte's injury. Sanchez took Marte's place, and only hit .040 with 11 strikeouts and 2 RBIs in that 10 game period. For those reasons, Sanchez is still currently in the minors. 

Card #204- Yency Almonte, Colorado Rockies

Yency Almonte might have been one of the Rockies' best bullpen pieces of a very forgettable year. Almonte appeared in 24 games, and hit a 2.93 ERA with 23 Ks and 3 wins. Almonte was used in middle relief as well as a final-out man, getting his first save as well last year. So far in 2021, his WAR is negating the entirety of his 2020 earnings in that category.

Card #205- Alex Kirilloff, Minnesota Twins

One of the more intriguing prospects heading into the 2020 season, Alex Kirilloff saw no major league playing time last year, but was added to the postseason roster before playing a single MLB regular season game. That says everything you need to know about how confident the Twins are in Kirilloff. Granted, Kirilloff only hit .250 in 4 postseason at-bats, but he still had a postseason hit before any of his 2021 regular season hits. He's currently a decent offensive piece for the Twins, and while the 2021 Topps rookie is a lot more practical, this one could have been cool.

Card #206- Mookie Betts ASG, Los Angeles Dodgers

Third 2020 ASG starter in this post. Lowe, Perez and Betts. For the first time, though, they wouldn't all be starting for the same team, as Betts would have taken an NL start in 2020 for the Dodgers. I don't think anyone would dispute Betts' starting outfield position in a supposed 2020 ASG, especially considering his red-hot numbers and high MVP vote-getting. 

Card #207- Robert Gsellman, New York Mets

Robert Gsellman haș been one of three indispensable Mets relief arms for the past few years. With him, Seth Lugo and Jeurys Familia, the Mets have just needed to build around the core. Gsellman had an alright 2020, being utilized in a starting role and finishing with a 9.64 ERA, but he's been returned to the 'pen for 2021 and is working on a lower, sub-4 ERA so far. 

Friday brings the next 9 cards in this set. A few important player omissions, a few amusing rookies, and a very big 'what could have been'.

Lowe Hear This

After an explosive first series in Toronto, the Tampa Bay Rays have become...a low-scoring team.

They've been  winning by  one-run margins, only scoring up to 5 runs in a game, making some close games possible for other teams. Despite stymieing the Yankee offense during their series last week, they still only one  those by a point or two. Which really speaks to the small-ball strategies Kevin Cash has been using even after this team got good. This team is very reliant on hits, bullpen, and intricate mechanics, and not exactly masters of the long ball.

Brandon Lowe, contact expert, leads the team in home runs. With 3. A team with Hunter Renfroe, Ji-Man Choi and Austin Meadows on it, and Lowe's leading in HR. Additionally, just Lowe and Jose Martinez are hitting over .250 right now. This  is a very low-key lineup, especially in comparison to the last few years, and the small-ball strategies are only gonna get them so far.

The weird part is that the only starting pitcher that's really nailing it for the Rays so far is Blake Snell. Morton and Chirinos are hurt, Yarbrough and Glasnow have slightly inflated ERAs. And even  then, Snell hasn't won any games. The still-strong bullpen, and guys  like Chaz Roe, Pete Fairbanks, Aaron Loup, Diego Castillo, and, yes, Nick Anderson, have been keeping games in  line and doing a lot of the work, which is why the games are so close. The team doesn't have  to do much, but the pen  can keep any opposing offense at bay. Which, in a division  with Aaron Judge, J.D. Martinez, Renato Nunez and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., helps.

Unless the Yankees take a plunge, or unless somebody else usurps them, I expect the Rays to stay in the  game and squeeze into a wild card spot.

Coming Tomorrow- One of the best catchers of the 2010s, still hitting well in Queens.

Lowe and Clear

I get the sense that a lot of the Tampa Bay Rays this year are guys that didn't make it in the majors immediately. Brandon Lowe had a quiet rookie year last year, Tommy Pham bopped around before making it in 2017, Meadows was traded halfway through his rookie year, Yandy Diaz was a backup infielder, and Blake Snell struggling before his 2018 Cy Young year.

So that's why it's so important that all of them are working right now. Because there's a solid foundation being built by a bunch of players that haven't worked in other places, or for better teams. Sort of like a baseball version of the Guardians of the Galaxy: apart, they're meek, but together they're unstoppable.

Plus, with Lowe, Meadows and Avisail Garcia leading the team, the rookies that are coming up are actually doing well enough to fit with this team, like Mike Brosseau and Nate Lowe, or Brendan McKay and his tricky pitching material. Hell, even people that usually get injured, like Mike Zuni...okay bad example- TRAVIS D'ARNAUD! He's doing great! He just hit 3 home runs against the Yankees, so we're not on great terms, but he's still having his best season since I erroneously called him one of the best catchers in baseball.

The only issue with the Rays right now is the injuries, which are hitting Ji-Man Choi, Kevin Kiermaier, Ryne Stanek, and...yes, and Brandon Lowe. And even without these guys, the Rays are slipping fast and in a series with the red-hot Red Sox. So...if the bubble's gonna burst, it might happen this week.

Coming Tomorrow- Darling you go to let me kneaux
Should I stay or should I geaux.