Headlines

  • Reds To Promote Chase Burns For MLB Debut
  • A.J. Puk Undergoes Elbow Surgery; Gabriel Moreno Diagnosed With Fractured Finger
  • Mariners Designate Rowdy Tellez For Assignment
  • Braves To Select Didier Fuentes
  • Anthopoulos On Trading Chris Sale: “Will Not Happen”
  • Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg In “Advanced” Talks To Sell Team
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2025
    • Free Agent Contest Leaderboard
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Rays Sign Kyle Gibson To Minor League Deal

By Darragh McDonald | May 28, 2025 at 4:25pm CDT

4:25pm: The Rays announced that they have signed Gibson to a minor league contract.

3:20pm: Right-hander Kyle Gibson is signing with the Rays, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. It’s unclear if it’s a major or minor league deal. If it’s a big league deal, the Rays have an open 40-man spot after designating catcher Ben Rortvedt for assignment earlier today, so they would only need to make a corresponding active roster move.

Gibson, 37, is a veteran with a solid track record but he is having a rough season so far. He lingered in free agency for a long time, eventually signing a one-year, $5.25MM deal with the Orioles less than a week before Opening Day. Since he missed spring training, he agreed to be optioned to the minors to get built up. He was called up at the end of April but got pounded, allowing 23 earned runs in 12 1/3 innings over four starts. The O’s then designated him for assignment and released him.

That leaves Baltimore on the hook for the remainder of that salary, meaning any club can sign Gibson and only pay him the prorated portion of the league minimum salary, with that amount subtracted from what the O’s pay.

It seems the Rays are willing to overlook Gibson’s 16.78 ERA in 2025 to focus more on his career track record. He has 1,878 big league innings under his belt with a 4.60 ERA on the whole. As recently as last year, he was a solid innings eater at the back-end of a rotation. He made 30 starts for the Cardinals in 2024, logging 169 2/3 frames with a 4.24 ERA, 20.9% strikeout rate, 9.4% walk rate and 44.8% ground ball rate.

The Tampa rotation has been without Shane McClanahan all year but has otherwise been remarkably healthy. Apart from one Joe Boyle spot start, every other game has been started by the quintet of Taj Bradley, Ryan Pepiot, Drew Rasmussen, Zack Littell and Shane Baz. No one in that group has an ERA higher than 4.94 this year. The Rays also have guys like Boyle, Joe Rock and Ian Seymour on the 40-man roster and pitching in Triple-A.

Regardless, there’s no real harm to adding Gibson since the O’s are responsible for most of his salary. The Rays could be adding a bit of non-roster rotation depth or perhaps they want Gibson to jump into their big league bullpen and serve as a long reliever. It’s also possible that one of their big league starters has some sort of ailment that has not yet been publicly reported. Time will tell what the Rays have in mind for Gibson’s usage but he’s a respected veteran with a solid track record and essentially no cost.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Kucin Jr., Imagn Images

Share 0 Retweet 0 Send via email0

Tampa Bay Rays Transactions Kyle Gibson

Royals Select Andrew Hoffmann
Main
Angels Designate Tim Anderson For Assignment
View Comments (34)
Post a Comment

34 Comments

  1. Krombopulous Matthew

    3 weeks ago

    As a Rays fan I say this with as much respect as humanly possible: Ew.

    3
    Reply
    • Clofreesz

      3 weeks ago

      Who knows? Maybe he becomes one of the best pitchers in the league. I don’t know what magic formula you guys give to old pitchers/unknowns to make them elite.

      3
      Reply
      • Krombopulous Matthew

        3 weeks ago

        Hoping so! But I’d rather them focus on getting the young guys right like Taj Bradley. If Gibson flips the switch and ends up being a serviceable starter for the league minimum then I won’t be able to complain at all for sure lol

        1
        Reply
      • letitbelowenstein

        3 weeks ago

        Sure. And maybe 97-year old Roy Face comes back to help out his beloved Pirates.

        Reply
      • Tigers3232

        3 weeks ago

        In 13 seasons he’s never been one of best pitchers in league. So that’d likely beyond a long shot.

        However with Rays history of getting most out of some players, I would not be surprised if he rebounds to be a serviceable or better SP.

        3
        Reply
    • cwsOverhaul

      3 weeks ago

      2nd place Tampa. Funny thing is they will still look to strategically sell off some pitching at deadline even if they are pursuing the 3rd WC spot the way so many AL teams are hovering around .500

      1
      Reply
      • Krombopulous Matthew

        3 weeks ago

        Organization can’t win a playoff game when we actually have a good squad, god knows even if we are in a WC spot this year the FO isn’t believing in this group lol

        Reply
    • WadeBoggsWildRide

      3 weeks ago

      Do the Rays need bad pitching?

      1
      Reply
    • mack423

      3 weeks ago

      Give him a few weeks. Good, crafty pitcher who can still go on some runs. Sometimes has so much movement he can’t find the zone, though.

      1
      Reply
  2. Logjammer D'Baggagecling

    3 weeks ago

    If there’s any team out there that can “fix” him it’s probably the Rays

    10
    Reply
    • HBan22

      3 weeks ago

      You stole my comment! Watch him post an ERA under 3.50 for the Rays the rest of the season…

      2
      Reply
    • Acoss1331

      3 weeks ago

      Rays are gonna Ray.

      1
      Reply
    • Johnny Devil

      3 weeks ago

      Nonsense, Gibson has been stealing money for the last 5 years.No fixing a guy who throws slop and gets hit more often than your mute button, which by your ill-advised comment should be often IMO.

      1
      Reply
      • Tigers3232

        3 weeks ago

        @Johnny Gibson was decent in 2023 and 2024. He pitched at about replacement level in 2022. In 2021 he was pretty good though.

        2
        Reply
        • Johnny Devil

          3 weeks ago

          If you like his numbers, giving up close to 5 runs every time he takes the mound, over a hit per inning, never goes more than 5. What a steal. Nonsense. Decent? He’s a bum

          Reply
        • Tigers3232

          3 weeks ago

          For the last 5 years he’s not given up close to 5 runs every time he takes the mound. Again he was decent last 2 seasons and pretty good in 2021. They have stats that track these things…

          Reply
        • Johnny Devil

          3 weeks ago

          I’m always amazed how mediocrity is accepted as even decent, pretty good or even sometimes great in today MLB and sports in general. It’s laughable. This bum wouldn’t have sniffed the majors 30 or 40 years ago and don’t mention the days of Gibson, Carlton Tom Terrific and I could go and on and on . Please.

          Reply
        • Tigers3232

          3 weeks ago

          You made the false claim not me. And the last 2 years his #s were better than 5th starter and sometimes 4th of rotations Bob Gibson was in after the mound was lowered.

          Obviously he’s nowhere near as good as Bob Gibson, Beaver, or Carlton most aren’t and have not been both then and now. So not sure how you re now spiraling to rant on that.

          For the bulk of Kyle Gibson’s career he’s pitched slightly above average or a bit more. And there will always be an average as long as statistics are take. If pitching above said average is “mediocrity” you might want to accept reality, there will always be a ton of players slightly above average. In fact the type of players you went on to rant about have compromised roughly 1% of the sport since it’s inception, they are and will be few and far between.

          Reply
    • LernersWallet

      3 weeks ago

      lol the Orioles broke him so the rays could fix him.

      Reply
  3. AC Surf Baseball

    3 weeks ago

    Rays acquire:
    Gabriel Rincones Jr. (#10)
    Alex McFarlane RHP (#16)
    Andrew Baker RHP (#31)
    Phillies acquire:
    Pete Fairbanks RHP
    Dru Dowd LHP (#29)

    1
    Reply
    • Gobraves88

      3 weeks ago

      Instead of dowd I would try to get Mathew Etzel if I were the Phillies.

      Reply
    • Tigers3232

      3 weeks ago

      Fairbanks has been pitching great and has a very team friendly $7M option for next season. Why would the Rays be interested in giving that up for a bunch of underachieving Minor League players?? On top of that tossing in a young arm that’s been pitching quite well??

      5
      Reply
      • Dooper

        3 weeks ago

        And why would they give up dowd who is better than baker and McFarlane? Those 3 for Fairbanks isnt enough, Rays could find better.

        1
        Reply
        • Tigers3232

          3 weeks ago

          Exactly, it’s an absolute ridiculous hypothetical transaction.

          2
          Reply
  4. ccahoe02

    3 weeks ago

    This may have to do with the rays having 10 games in next 11 days. Maybe he has a spot start or eats some innings. He wasn’t horrendous the previous two seasons

    5
    Reply
  5. Samuel

    3 weeks ago

    ccahoe02;

    Great point! Am sure that’s a part of it.

    The Orioles don’t understand pitching at all. To start, a pitcher needs a solid experienced catcher and a high Baseball-IQ SS that can cover ground. The O’s had a smart catcher 2 years ago. Since then their pitching philosophy and coaches ruined him (wouldn’t be surprised to see Rutschman on the Rays in a few years…or the Reds, Guardians, Royals….all those teams have learned from the Rays and can get him back to what he was). The Rays always bring in experienced ML catchers to work with their staff. Jansen has been great this year. In addition to Walls, Caballero is an excellent back-up SS. Those 2 positions anchor a defense and any hitting a team get is a bonus. The name of the game is pitching and a pitcher needs a defense around him.

    I wrote at the beginning of the season that the Rays were the most underrated team in MLB. Mainly because the FO is smart, and in addition to squaring away their own players they pick-up players that are out of sorts during the season and right them or cut them and bring in someone else. Mr. Gibson is a smart player. If he’s still on the Rays in a month it’s because he’s back to being himself and is helping them win games.

    1
    Reply
  6. cooperhill

    3 weeks ago

    Praise the Lord. Orioles won’t be tempted again!🤣

    1
    Reply
  7. sillywabbit

    3 weeks ago

    The O’s ownership needs to spend to get decent starting pitching. Shopping from the bargain bin gets the results we’re seeing this year. Normally I’d suggest they trade from their strong position players on the farm, but that doesn’t seem to be an option.

    1
    Reply
    • JackStrawb

      3 weeks ago

      Or if they simply refuse to spend, find a GM with enough wit to at least copy Stearns’ approach with the Mets.

      1
      Reply
    • Tigers3232

      3 weeks ago

      They tried to sign Burnes he opted to sign for less elsewhere. Who do you think they should have signed that was willing to sign with them last offseason??

      Reply
  8. leftykoufax

    3 weeks ago

    Rays need a good batting practice pitcher and they have found their man..

    Reply
  9. NYMETSHEA

    3 weeks ago

    Pete Fairbanks will cost that much by himself, maybe more

    Reply
  10. Acoss1331

    3 weeks ago

    Watch Gibby return to form with the Rays…

    1
    Reply
  11. gbs42

    3 weeks ago

    2025 AL Cy Young winner Kyle Gibson.

    1
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Reds To Promote Chase Burns For MLB Debut

    A.J. Puk Undergoes Elbow Surgery; Gabriel Moreno Diagnosed With Fractured Finger

    Mariners Designate Rowdy Tellez For Assignment

    Braves To Select Didier Fuentes

    Anthopoulos On Trading Chris Sale: “Will Not Happen”

    Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg In “Advanced” Talks To Sell Team

    Rafael Devers To Start Work At First Base With Giants

    Giants Acquire Rafael Devers

    Shohei Ohtani To Make Dodgers Pitching Debut On Monday

    Roki Sasaki No Longer Throwing; No Timetable For Return

    Nationals To Promote Brady House

    White Sox, Brewers Swap Aaron Civale, Andrew Vaughn

    Justin Martínez To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Brewers’ Aaron Civale Requests Trade

    Angels To Promote Christian Moore

    Brewers Promote Jacob Misiorowski

    Red Sox Acquire Jorge Alcala

    Jackson Jobe To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Shane McClanahan Pauses Rehab, Seeking Further Opinions On Nerve Issue

    Royals Place Cole Ragans On IL With Rotator Cuff Strain

    Recent

    Reds To Promote Chase Burns For MLB Debut

    Braves Place Chris Sale On 15-Day IL With Ribcage Fracture

    Orioles Place Adley Rutschman On 10-Day Injured List

    A.J. Puk Undergoes Elbow Surgery; Gabriel Moreno Diagnosed With Fractured Finger

    AL East Notes: Bigge, Kim, Scherzer, Westburg, Gil, Williams, Weaver

    Rangers Place Jake Burger On 10-Day Injured List

    Scott Miller Passes Away

    Padres Designate Jason Heyward For Assignment

    Mets Sign Pablo Reyes To Minor League Deal

    Marlins Select Josh Simpson, DFA Robinson Piña

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Nolan Arenado Rumors
    • Dylan Cease Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Marcus Stroman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2024-25 Offseason Outlook Series
    • 2025 Arbitration Projections
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version