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Rays Open To Increased Payroll In 2024

By Darragh McDonald | October 11, 2023 at 11:00pm CDT

The Rays have a challenging offseason ahead, as they often do. Even after successful seasons, they usually find themselves looking for financial cuts given their low-spending ways. That could be the case again this winter though Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times relays that the club is open to running a higher payroll in order to keep much of the club intact.

“We have the ability to do that,” president of baseball operations Erik Neander says. “And that’s a nice starting point to have — 99 wins with contributions from as many players as we did this year, players that established themselves, young players getting their first opportunities. It puts us at a really strong position.”

The Rays usually run a payroll near the bottom of the league, with the data of Cot’s Baseball Contracts never having them above $85MM on Opening Day and they haven’t been higher than 25th in the league since 2010. Topkin’s report says the $78.245MM Opening Day figure from last year is actually the franchise high, which is even lower than the listing at Cot’s. But with raises due to various players on the team, running out a similar roster for 2024 would involve getting way up into the $120MM range.

Part of that is Tyler Glasnow, who made just $5.35MM this year but is set to jump to $25MM next year as part of the extension he signed with the club. Lesser raises are also due to other players who signed extensions like Manuel Margot, Yandy Díaz, Jeffrey Springs and Brandon Lowe. Then there’s the arbitration class, which features 16 players. Some of those are non-tender candidates but projections from MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz show that Randy Arozarena will likely earn around $9MM, more than double this year’s $4.125MM salary, among many other notable jumps.

Roster Resource estimates that the club already had about $74MM committed for next year, without those arbitration estimates taken into account. The class is projected as a whole for $46.3MM, which lines up with Topkin’s $120MM figure for keeping the whole gang together.

In the past, the Rays have often dealt with this situation by moving on from notable players like Tommy Pham, Blake Snell and many others. The willingness to trade established big leaguers for cheaper and less-proven ones has allowed the club to continually compete even with their budgetary limitations. 2023 saw them reach the postseason for a fifth straight year, despite sharing a division with many bigger spenders. Though they were quickly eliminated in their last three postseason trips, it’s nonetheless been an impressive tightrope walk.

Perhaps they can proceed with a bit more continuity next year, if Neander’s words prove to be true. Skeptics would be forgiven for rolling their eyes, but the club has hinted at some greater spending capacity in the past. As Topkin points out, the club made an offer of $150MM over six years to Freddie Freeman before he ended up with the Dodgers.

Sticking with the same roster would still leave issues, given how the 2023 club started out red hot and faded as the season went along. But it’s possible that the reverse trajectory could be in store next year. Shane Baz missed all of 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery but should be ready to go for Spring Training. Springs required the same procedure in April and could rejoin the club next summer. Drew Rasmussen could also be a midseason returnee after undergoing an internal brace procedure in July. Continued development from younger players like Taj Bradley, Junior Caminero and Curtis Mead could also give them some more momentum.

The Freeman offer from a few years ago shows that the willingness to change course doesn’t necessarily lead to it actually happening. But as Topkin points out, the club had increased attendance this year and has a funding agreement for a new stadium, perhaps giving principal owner Stuart Sternberg some extra incentive to sign off on a different spending level, though it seems it may not be permanent even if it does happen.

“If the timing’s right — right player, right team, right time — there’s always that ability to push,” Neander says. “It’s probably going to come from somewhere at a later date. But there is a fluidity to our payrolls and things, there’s a freedom to it, that allow us to be more competitive if the right circumstances suggest we should make that run.”

Still, there are many who won’t believe in the higher payroll potential until it comes to fruition. It will likely also depend on what discussions happen in the winter with free agents or potential trade partners, something Neander acknowledges. “Every offseason is unique,” he says. “A lot of it will depend on what the other 29 teams are looking to do in addition to what we think is best for us. So, very TBD. Not much of an answer, but a lot of it is you’ve got to be ready to go in whatever direction the winter takes us. But we can run this group back. And it’s a good starting position.”

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Tampa Bay Rays Erik Neander

West Notes: Moreno, Sánchez, Angels
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The Opener: Braves/Phillies, Moreno, Mets Outlook
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122 Comments

  1. JSC Cubbs

    2 years ago

    So, they’re gonna add a hotdog to be named later to FA contracts?
    All I really read is that Glasnow is on the trade block.

    14
    Reply
    • StPeteStingRays

      2 years ago

      Its not like 200 million buys ws rings…

      5
      Reply
      • hiflew

        2 years ago

        Of course not. You can buy a WS ring on eBay for around 10 grand.

        2
        Reply
      • lucas0622

        2 years ago

        It’s significantly easier to win spending 200mil than 70mil like the Rays

        3
        Reply
        • hiflew

          2 years ago

          Is it? I haven’t seen evidence of that recently.

          4
          Reply
        • iverbure

          2 years ago

          Spending doesn’t equal winning. I know everyone would love that to be the case, just have to look at the standings and compare rays record to their payroll rank year after year.

          1
          Reply
        • websoulsurfer

          2 years ago

          Compare the list of WS teams to the list of top spending teams this century. Its a pretty good match.

          1
          Reply
        • deweybelongsinthehall

          2 years ago

          You sometimes spend to earn more. Big market clubs advantages extend to marketing and no one knew that like George Steinbrenner. I must have been the only one who liked the REG-GIE bar (and I’m a Sox fan).

          3
          Reply
        • User 4245925809

          2 years ago

          Dewey, True some owners in the oild days were true geniuses at marketing. Have u ever read Bill Veeck’s book “Veeck as in wreck”? veeck may have been the ultimate PT barnum type promoter among MLB owners.. Moveable outfield walls (series to series) “disco s-cks” night, that one pretty sure was when he owned the Indians and piled up disco ’45’s and burned them on the OF grass. Nickel beer night in Chicago think was, where corwd grew so iebriated and rowdy his chisox had to forfeit.

          Reply
        • iverbure

          2 years ago

          It’s not but you keep thinking that. Why haven’t the dodgers and Yankees won every World Series since 2010?

          Reply
      • dave 2

        2 years ago

        And it’s not like spending $70 mil does either…

        1
        Reply
    • Charels

      2 years ago

      Troll alert!!!!

      Reply
  2. Fire Krall

    2 years ago

    Plus Franco’s contract? Could he be suspended without pay, contract voided, or jail time???

    6
    Reply
    • CityofChampions

      2 years ago

      I would think at this point they aren’t expecting to pay Franco next season.

      5
      Reply
    • kc38

      2 years ago

      If you have read articles… they’re calling it almost impossible for the rays to get off the hook on Franco’s contract. The only way would be a lifetime ban and they said the MLBPA would fight back extremely hard against that. It’s almost certain the rays are gonna be on the hook for that and more than likely will be playing for the rays after whatever suspension is served

      1
      Reply
      • misterb71

        2 years ago

        It will take awhile for the legal issues to get sorted out but if there’s any jail time involved in the resolution the MLBPA might lose that fight. There’s a long time before we reach that point and quite a few “ifs” involved but I don’t think it’s a done deal the Rays will be on the hook for 100% of Franco’s contract.

        3
        Reply
      • YankeesBleacherCreature

        2 years ago

        It’s not impossible if the Dominican Republic courts find him guilty but that is rather unlikely since money can buy influence there. There are morals clauses in contracts which can be enforced by MLB. There will be MLBPA pushback but they don’t want a prolonged fight in light of this specific situation so an agreement to a lengthy suspension is a stronger possibility. None of us know enough details of the investigation so Franco could potentially be in uniform for ST.

        2
        Reply
      • Pads Fans

        2 years ago

        If Franco is unable to play because he is in jail, then suspensions are a moot point He goes on the restricted list and is not paid at all. MLB can void a contract over an issue like this. Its in the CBA. Most writers are saying that Franco has played his last game in MLB and won’t be back. I agree.

        1
        Reply
        • YankeesBleacherCreature

          2 years ago

          The D.R. and U.S. doesn’t have an extradition treaty. He won’t spend a day in jail if found guilty in the Dominican courts.

          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          2 years ago

          He is in the DR now. US is not giving him a VISA while facing those charges, let alone if he is convicted.

          2
          Reply
        • YankeesBleacherCreature

          2 years ago

          Nobody knows his current location. He’s being investigated in DR, not facing formal charges nor has been under arrest.

          3
          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          2 years ago

          He has been spotted in the DR on social media this week. Once he went there, it was unlikely he could re-enter the US.

          2
          Reply
        • YankeesBleacherCreature

          2 years ago

          A foreign pending investigation isn’t grounds for U.S. inadmissiblilty. That’s something for an immigration lawyer with an understanding of Franco’s situation to answer.

          3
          Reply
      • Ted

        2 years ago

        MLB will never allow Franco to see a field ever again. Multiple minors? That’s not something you come back from professionally. Hell be lucky if he’s not spending decades in prison.

        2
        Reply
      • User 4245925809

        2 years ago

        It goes deeper than the ill thought out Franco fiasco. Tampa, for those not aware set a brand new record for lowest attendance in 100+ years in a playoff game to kick off their short term post season experience this season, breaking a record which had stood since 1919 and the “black sox” scandal series.. Think about it..

        How awful is that so called fan base (not to mention small) and how do they expect to pay ANYONE?

        sub 20k to open the playoffs? Why is there a team in St petersburg and WHY is there talk of burning up 1.2 billion dollars in cash, like in a bonfire on a new stadium there?

        Are they counting on socialism being added to MLB, where everything is divided 100% among teams? That will never happen. I.. For 1 don’t expect the Rays to ever spend much, unless they pull what they did at the start of the franchise and Huizinga did in Miami early as well.. Spend a ton.. Hope for 1-2 seasons, then unload it all when nobody still shows up. It’s already happened at both St pete and Miami.

        song remains the same.. St pete is a rotten place for baseball.. Multiple reasons various members (myself incl) gone over before. nearby resident and know what am saying.

        3
        Reply
      • GarryHarris

        2 years ago

        MLB performs and then acts on their own investigation.

        Reply
    • Ejemp2006

      2 years ago

      Innocent until proven guilty. #FreeWander

      2
      Reply
  3. hiflew

    2 years ago

    They must have found some extra change in the couch this year.

    Reply
    • Hemlock

      2 years ago

      Hmmm, I Wander where?

      22
      Reply
      • stymeedone

        2 years ago

        Its not like Franco was making top dollar last year, or was due top dollar next year. The payroll is not coming from his end.

        1
        Reply
  4. Slider_withcheese

    2 years ago

    If they do, the feds should be all over them to question their revenue stream. It’s certainly not coming from attendance

    7
    Reply
  5. Old York

    2 years ago

    Getting ready to splurge on Ohtani.

    4
    Reply
    • StPeteStingRays

      2 years ago

      That would be spectacular, however unlikely that is

      Reply
    • Hemlock

      2 years ago

      This post is against the rules. But I will restore it just this one time. *Abracadabra!*

      2
      Reply
  6. 3768902

    2 years ago

    More people attended the Royals final home game (20,662) than the Rays first playoff game (19,704).

    The weekday timing and the Trop had something to do with it the poor attendance — and I’m obviously no expert — but I have a hard time believing that a new ballpark in the same location is going help revenue longterm.

    14
    Reply
    • GOAT Closer Esteban Yan

      2 years ago

      Attendance won’t be the lone revenue stream of the new park. The allure of the deal for ownership is the large amounts of real estate they’ll control and profit from around the stadium via office buildings, housing, etc.

      With that said, your critique about the attendance still stands as their “move” won’t solve that issue. St. Pete is a pain in the ass to get to for a large swath of central Florida. Ownership, unfortunately, doesn’t care because they know they’ll gain access to other paths of revenue.

      8
      Reply
    • CleaverGreene

      2 years ago

      You’re right you are no expert. leave the critiques to the experts.

      2
      Reply
      • C Yards Jeff

        2 years ago

        Hockey and football draw in places like greater Miami and greater Tampa but not baseball. Why?

        1
        Reply
        • kc38

          2 years ago

          Because it’s not in Tampa

          7
          Reply
        • Charels

          2 years ago

          The city of Tampa had at least 3 chances to get the Rays and failed miserably on each occasion. It’s over.

          1
          Reply
        • GOAT Closer Esteban Yan

          2 years ago

          @Charels – I think Tampa was smart not to cave and use taxpayer money to supplement the owner’s demands. I do think that the Rays had a better shot at increasing attendance if they moved to Tampa rather than staying in St. Pete (I probably would have gone to at least a dozen or more games a year), but that is not a guarantee either and would have been a lot of our money to take that risk. Tampa is raking with the tax revenue generated from their other teams and will do just fine without the Rays.

          8
          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          2 years ago

          Let’s rephrase that.

          The city of Tampa was given an ultimatum to fund a ballpark with taxpayer dollars for a billionaire and chose not to.

          St Pete is one of the only areas on the Gulf Coast that is not growing and they are desperate to not lose the Rays, so they are willing to fork over $600 million in taxpayer dollars and a large swath of land to the Rays.

          5
          Reply
        • C Yards Jeff

          2 years ago

          So KC38, are you saying no one from St Pete goes to Lightening or Buc games?

          Reply
        • kc38

          2 years ago

          I would say less than 10% of attendance for those teams comes from St Pete

          2
          Reply
        • CleaverGreene

          2 years ago

          Bucs and Lightning play in the winter time. St Pete is a snowbird area on the gulf. I would say that the St Pete population gets cut in half from May to November..

          Most Rays fans are from the northern and eastern suburbs made up of full time residents.

          2
          Reply
        • C Yards Jeff

          2 years ago

          @kc38. Geez less than 10%. Obviously I’m not from there. I always assumed St Pete and Tampa were like a metro plex area. When I said “greater Tampa” I was including St. Pete. Hmm. Interesting.

          Reply
        • kc38

          2 years ago

          2 very different regions. That bridge is an absolute nightmare from 5-7 o’clock. And Tampa is booming with youth and vibrant business. St.Pete is very dated and not even half as popular. Tampa also has outreach to many more surrounding counties. It’s not just the populating in the city that matters. I’m 45 minutes from Tampa but 1:20 to the trop. So a hockey game is 100 times more manageable after work than a baseball game for me.

          Reply
      • 3768902

        2 years ago

        Comment boards really are an unusual place to share opinions, aren’t they?

        1
        Reply
        • Hemlock

          2 years ago

          >Comment boards really are
          > an unusual place to share opinions,
          > aren’t they?

          Well, that’s your opinion, 3768902.

          3
          Reply
    • Pads Fans

      2 years ago

      It won’t. The issue is the location as much as the ballpark. For a 7pm game 80% of the population of the area has to be on the road by 5:30 to get to the park by game time. If you work and get off at 5pm like most people, it is nearly an impossibility to drive home, load of the family, and get to the park in that time frame.

      Putting a park in Tampa is the only way to ensure that most of the region can get to night games during the week on time.

      Add a bad ballpark and its a death knell for attendance right now.

      1
      Reply
      • Gomez

        2 years ago

        Pads Fan, the travel time to stadium is an issue in most cities. The traffic here in Toronto is much worse but we still have decent attendance. Ditto for places like LA, San Francisco, NYC etc.

        I think the bigger issue impacting attendance is demographics. If you look at a list of GDP per capita per city you’ll see that it corelates well with team revenue.

        en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._metropolitan_ar…

        I believe only Cleveland is lower on the list than Tampa

        1
        Reply
        • GOAT Closer Esteban Yan

          2 years ago

          @Gomez – this is spot on. Most of the jobs in the area are service industry related or other types of blue collar work. Most of us that are working don’t have the luxury to take off in the middle of the day on a weekday to go to a game (which is why I couldn’t go to the playoff games despite wanting to).

          I will say that the two issues are related. If you can’t take off of work early to get to a game on time because you work an hourly paid job and need the money, then you’re less likely to travel to any games during work days (not to mention the cost of gas). But I agree overall, the economics of the area probably plays a bigger role with attendance and isn’t talked about enough when the media dogs on Rays fans for low attendance.

          Reply
        • websoulsurfer

          2 years ago

          NY is #1 in revenue, Dodgers are #2. so that list is far from correlating with team revenue. SD is 26th on that list but in top 14 in team revenue this season.

          Location is the major problem with the Rays. Something the Rays owner admitted in years past when he was negotiating to build in the Ybor City area. This new stadium will not fix the location problem since its in the same location as the old stadium.

          Reply
  7. This one belongs to the Reds

    2 years ago

    They must have sold more orange juice this year!

    4
    Reply
    • Ignorant Son-of-a-b

      2 years ago

      I thought it was named after the casino in Vegas.

      Reply
  8. LordD99

    2 years ago

    Trades will happen.

    3
    Reply
  9. martras

    2 years ago

    Whoopee doo. The Rays struck a stadium deal which won’t allow them to expand payroll by a significant margin. The Rays’ ownership has made it clear their objective is to live off the other teams’ revenue sharing. It’s a baked in part of their operating plan.

    2
    Reply
    • Monkey’s Uncle

      2 years ago

      “Rays to increase wages for all employees to $15 per hour; Other retailers may follow suit”

      1
      Reply
    • CleaverGreene

      2 years ago

      So, what’s your beef? are you pissed that your big market team can’t compete? I crying for you, mate.

      3
      Reply
      • martras

        2 years ago

        My “beef” is the Rays have been complaining they need revenue sharing because the Trop isn’t profitable. So they’re building a new stadium which will not result in a big increase in revenue.

        They’re running their franchise on the backs of teams who are trying to fill stadiums. The Rays are a charity case, abusing the system. Unwilling to put in the effort needed to be successful. Lazy. Bums. Unscrupulous. Conniving. Corrupt. Dishonorable… and MLB is enabling them.

        3
        Reply
        • YankeesBleacherCreature

          2 years ago

          There will always be “welfare” teams which require revenue sharing subsidies. The wealthy teams are OK with this bc these teams are vital to a continuously growing MLB system. I’m sure the new Rays stadium deals had the blessings of all the other 29 team owners. Why single out an individual organization (the A’s included) when MLB as a whole enables it?

          4
          Reply
        • martras

          2 years ago

          Sure, there will be teams who receive revenue sharing. There are no teams designed with the intent of receiving revenue sharing. MLB owners do not approve stadium deals when there is no relocation element to the best of my knowledge. The commissioner basically acts as a lobbyist for team ownership when it comes to getting new stadiums built, but I don’t think even the commissioner signs off on stadium deals like the Rays.

          I’d be guessing the rest of MLB owners are less than enthusiastic about the Rays blatant abuse of the system. There aren’t many teams who are not actively looking for new stadiums or relocation who build their teams with the intent of receiving revenue sharing.

          2
          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          2 years ago

          The Rays stadium deal has not been finalized. No government agency has voted on it yet. Might be worth waiting to see what the final deal actually is.

          Reply
        • YankeesBleacherCreature

          2 years ago

          I mean sure the Yankees have complained about revenue-sharing in the past. But teams can complain all they want while they maintain their territorial rights. New York City, for example, can support a third team in Brooklyn but it will never happen.

          2
          Reply
        • CleaverGreene

          2 years ago

          For some reason they are deemed a small market, not their fault, and probably justified since 2/3’s of the millions of residents still follow their old Northeast teams and refuse to switch allegiances.

          I could come up with plenty of demeaning adjectives to describe people that refuse to switch their allegiances after moving to a new area, but I won’t go lower than you just did.

          Reply
        • dano62

          2 years ago

          The ‘usual suspects’ who need revenue sharing AKA KC, Pittsburgh, Oakland & Cincy are franchises that are not nearly as well run as TB. But on the off-chance that they are in a playoff race into late August those teams see a considerable spike in attendance, thus reaping less charity. Win lose or draw TB is perpetually hooked on help. Move them to Montreal.

          Reply
        • martras

          2 years ago

          @CleaverGreen – I’m assuming you’re aiming your comment at me for insulting the dishonest ownership of the Rays, and how the Rays are blatantly designing their team to run on the backs of other teams rather than trying to cover their own expenses.

          I’m a Twins fan. The Twins typically receive net revenue sharing; however, the ownership has not unethically designed the team with a specific intent to live off the charity of other teams. The Twins have both received and paid into revenue sharing since the opening of Target Field.

          St. Petersburg is a terrible and non-viable location for an MLB team. Everybody with an iota of knowledge on the subject understands why it’s non-viable. The Rays crying to MLB and crying to their city about how they need a new stadium is all BS if they’re planning on building a new stadium in the same area. Lip service to get a new shiny thing on the backs of everybody else across MLB and their own fanbase. It’s detestable. What is it with Florida MLB team ownership? Do they all have to be as slimy as Loria was?

          Reply
        • martras

          2 years ago

          Pittsburgh’s owner is a problem.

          Kansas City and Oakland have the same issue Tampa Bay has with stadium location.

          The Reds typically carry a payroll well over $100MM. They pull their weight trying to keep fans at the stadium.

          1
          Reply
  10. acoss13

    2 years ago

    I doubt this is true, probably means that they will spend an extra 5 million dollars at best on arbitration guys.

    Reply
  11. Pads Fans

    2 years ago

    As the article said, they would be increasing their payroll by 40% just by retaining the guys they have and that does not include Wander Franco.

    I am still waiting to see who they trade away.

    Reply
    • CleaverGreene

      2 years ago

      I’m waiting to see who the Padres trade.

      1
      Reply
      • CityofChampions

        2 years ago

        You’d have to put a Glasnow trade as a near certainty.

        The day he inked that deal was the day he agreed to be traded IMO. Can’t see anyway they pay him $25 for a year. Rays model would be to deal him this off-season for younger prospects. I think the trade for Civale made it all the more certain.

        I would imagine they’ll target a couple near ready ML arms. Guys that they see a tweak or two to hit another level. They continually make that happen.

        2
        Reply
        • CityofChampions

          2 years ago

          I think B Lowe gets moved also. They have a ton of guys who can play 2B.

          Franco’s situation does give him a chance to stick—-but I think Curtis Mead/Aranda/others. end up taking the job next year.

          3
          Reply
        • Charels

          2 years ago

          I’m betting tge Rays simply don’t pick up his clob only option.

          Reply
        • CityofChampions

          2 years ago

          Whose? Lowe?

          He has a guaranteed contract next year BTW. But he also has surplus value. They aren’t going to get top guys but he value in excess of what he’s owed.

          3
          Reply
      • Pads Fans

        2 years ago

        Grisham, Hill, possibly Nola if he isn’t just non-tendered. No one else they can or will trade.

        1
        Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      2 years ago

      Glasnow and a prospect.

      Reply
  12. Old York

    2 years ago

    Why was my post removed? All I said was they were making room for Ohtani. Is that against the rules?

    3
    Reply
    • Hemlock

      2 years ago

      Yes. Definitely against the rules.

      2
      Reply
  13. LosPobres1904

    2 years ago

    They are going to trade for Manny and Cronenworth

    Reply
  14. Tom the ray fan

    2 years ago

    As a very loyal Rays fan my immediate thought here was “increase by $20.00” to hire an extra security guard lol. Looks like Wander will be in jail so I’m assuming that’s where they money is coming from. Not like it’s coming from the attendance! 🙁

    2
    Reply
  15. Tom the ray fan

    2 years ago

    And also the one time we pay a young superstar he turns out to be a pedo… karma for never paying any of our players in the past I guess.

    Reply
    • kc38

      2 years ago

      Evan Longoria has entered the chat

      1
      Reply
      • Tom the ray fan

        2 years ago

        We traded him away before he got too expensive sweetie;)

        1
        Reply
        • briar-patch thatcher

          2 years ago

          And now he’s in the playoffs. Brilliant.

          Reply
        • kc38

          2 years ago

          And he hasn’t had a productive year since we traded him? Almost like they knew what they were doing

          4
          Reply
        • hiflew

          2 years ago

          I wouldn’t be bragging about the Longoria trade, because the Giants got a LOT more value out of Longoria than the Rays got out of the 4 players they received in return.

          Reply
        • Tom the ray fan

          2 years ago

          Completely missed the point bud but thanks for stating the obvious

          Reply
  16. Big whiffa

    2 years ago

    Trade Glasnow and a top reliever for soto and then sign snell back.

    Hopefully get Franco back w soto in that lineup and players finally stay healthy – that’s a WS contender – not just a division contender

    1
    Reply
    • kc38

      2 years ago

      No chance the rays sign the top pitcher on the market…. They turn out stud pitchers year after year. And while soto is a dream for the rays, there’s no chance the rays give up a haul for one year of player

      2
      Reply
      • stymeedone

        2 years ago

        No way they’re giving up a haul for a player making an expected $33MM.

        Reply
      • Big whiffa

        2 years ago

        The rays offered their top prospect + 2 more top 10 prospects for ohtani and dumb angels said no. So they will trade for a 1 year rental and soto is +8 mill more than Glasnow. And what’s snell going to honestly get for real ? 6 years 30 mill ? Tampa can handle that and he cut his teeth in Tampa so there’s loyalty. Rays aren’t and have never been poor – just frugal. So it does make sense and there is a chance and it’s what I’d do if I ran the rays

        3
        Reply
        • kc38

          2 years ago

          Ohtanis value compared to sotos value isn’t even in the same universe. Not only are you getting a better hitter than soto, you’re getting a number 1 pitcher in the process. And again like I said, rays turn out stud pitchers year after year, they will never spend big in the starting pitching market. They trade for guys like civale and try and get the most of them. Eflin as you can see was someone they thought was different and he was top 5 pitcher in the AL this year. Snell is the best worst pitcher on the planet. Not someone the rays are gonna recklessly throw money at.

          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          2 years ago

          Ohtani has one season better than Soto’s career average at the plate and he will not pitch until 2025. Both will get deals around $500 million. Soto’s deal with just be longer because of his age.

          Reply
    • In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani

      2 years ago

      Franco did nothing wrong. I’m not getting the whinning over it on the internet. We were all young once.

      2
      Reply
      • Hemlock

        2 years ago

        Same reasons you (as an adult) don’t play Little League anymore. It’s not right. Weird. Creepy. Danger.

        You don’t still play Little League…right ?

        4
        Reply
        • Pads Fans

          2 years ago

          Not sure who that loser is, but he is now muted.

          1
          Reply
        • In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani

          2 years ago

          I remember all these teen girls fantasizing about male teachers. It’s more common for there to be interest. Now, many people just want $. This is why people should date better women instead.

          Reply
        • CleaverGreene

          2 years ago

          A 19 yo dating a 15-16 yo? come on you do know there are still southern states in the U.S, don’t you?

          Reply
      • Big whiffa

        2 years ago

        When they are cool w winning 95 games and getting knocked out of the first round – that’s their strategy. Seems to me change is on the horizon and they want to go for it. That’s why they tried to get ohtani and are open to spend more.

        So what’s your plan to spend more then ? If not the best pitcher available and soto – what are you/they going to spend on ?

        Reply
  17. kc38

    2 years ago

    Very comical to read all the non rays fans comments on here… they have always operated this way with the payroll. Look back and you’ll find random splurges of money on players they thought could make a big impact. But they don’t just spend money to spend money. They’ll spend on someone they believe is the ultimate difference maker and the “missing piece”. Glasnow is gone this off season 100% and more than a 50% chance that Brandon Lowe and Randy A are gone as well. The stadium is a whole other issue…. Don’t expect people to show up giving them a day and a half notice and 3 straight day games. Us fans down here are confused how people don’t have to work in the middle of the day during the week? I’m a die hard rays fans and couldn’t make it to either game? But yes the new stadium being in the same spot is a waste but we really don’t care as long as it means they’re staying here.

    1
    Reply
    • CleaverGreene

      2 years ago

      1) I think Glasnow stays until the deadline when Rasmussen and Springs are back.
      2) Lowe and RA? anyone’s guess.
      3) Rays fans shouldn’t be confused when FL is a right to work state without union protection. In other states, people call in sick to go to the games.

      Reply
      • kc38

        2 years ago

        I just think Rays will be too nervous about him getting hurt and losing a lot of value. He had his first generally healthy season in a long time. Paying for half that contract and the risk of him getting hurt and having to pay for all thag contract while he’s on the shelf doesn’t look appetizing.

        Reply
  18. tigerdoc616

    2 years ago

    Tampa Bay has generally been a profitable team over the years, mostly due to their low payroll. They lost the least amount of money in the covid year 2020. So yea, they probably can increase payroll if they want, but given their history I would be shocked if they exceeded $100M much less $120M.

    1
    Reply
  19. Tom the ray fan

    2 years ago

    I wanted them to sign this off-season in my defense. He wanted to stay on west coast. Longo is our Jeter<3

    Reply
  20. brucenewton

    2 years ago

    They should swap payroll capacity with the Yankees. That would be fun to watch.

    Reply
  21. padam

    2 years ago

    Mets should inquire about Glasnow.

    Reply
  22. bostonbob

    2 years ago

    My question, where does all that revenue sharing money go?

    Reply
    • CleaverGreene

      2 years ago

      Goes towards competitive balance. The Rays use it towards player development.

      Reply
      • Big whiffa

        2 years ago

        That’s a cop out answer. Just bc rays have best player development doesn’t mean they spend the most on it. And player development costs a fraction of what being a player in the free agency market.

        Rays owners get rich w profit sharing and good for them ! That’s why they bought the team in the first place plus they continue to put a competitive team on the field so who can complain

        1
        Reply
        • Pads Fans

          2 years ago

          MLB said that they were cutting 42 minor league teams to lower costs by $26 million. That included all player salaries, coaching and training staffs, and associated costs.

          Player development per team costs about as much as a #5 starter in the majors

          Reply
  23. Missippi_has_3Ks

    2 years ago

    The rays are a great franchise. MLB has their heads up their ass there should be a mandatory price floor or at least relocate teams to cities with more paying fans.

    Reply
    • CleaverGreene

      2 years ago

      It’s hard to move a franchise from a large metro area. There are probably 6M people in the Tampa/StPete (and suburbs)/Bradenton/Lakeland/ Sarasota area ; go another 50 miles and another 2M from Orlando.

      1
      Reply
      • Big whiffa

        2 years ago

        Right ! It’s a culture problem and always has been. Plus this isn’t the 1980s, there’s a lot of other ways these teams are profitable other than fans in seats.

        Reply
      • Old York

        2 years ago

        @CleaverGreene

        Time to move teams to Korea, Japan and Europe. That’s where your population is not in North America.

        I’d like to see at least 3 teams moved from the U.S. to Japan and 2 moved to Korea. I’d say move Jokeland, KC, Pittsburgh, Cleveland & Miami. Move the Rockies & Cincinnati to Europe.

        Reply
  24. Mikenmn

    2 years ago

    Some more spending is credible. A lot more, I’d really be surprised. The Rays have run in an efficient, effective style, so why would they deviate from that. The biggest problem with these huge contracts is you have to be able to absorb the hit when they go bad, A team like the Rays can spread their resources around when players are young and cheap so no one player is that critical.

    Reply
  25. bravesfan

    2 years ago

    They need to. They need a few guys who have that “it factor” especially in the playoffs. Phillies have it for example. Sure, terrible most of the season but professional enough to get the job done. Then playoffs start and their guys just have the “it” and turn it on. As a Braves fan, it’s incredibly frustrating as the Braves talent wise are significantly better. But mentally when the pressure is on, there is clearly a difference in the playoffs

    2
    Reply
    • kc38

      2 years ago

      I couldn’t agree more. But then you look at the Dodgers and they have that… and the D backs don’t…. So it’s really tough. But I do believe the rays have too many young guys and not enough leaders in the clubhouse.

      Reply
  26. fljay73

    2 years ago

    I can the Rays increasing their payroll. Stu has stated the Rays have money put aside to pursue any FA they want to go after (the Freeman offer as Example #1).

    Reply
  27. mohoney

    2 years ago

    Poverty franchise. Disgusting. Spend money or sell the team.

    Reply
  28. Cora the Destroya

    2 years ago

    I hate to say it, but they’re at the point where if they don’t do better in the postseason, they’re a failure. They need to get to the next level, not just win the regular season.

    Reply
  29. AM21

    2 years ago

    Yeah….

    No one believes that.

    Reply

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