The catching position has long been a weak link in Tampa Bay, and the Rays at least considered making a big move to solidify the position this winter. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports that Tampa showed some interest in signing J.T. Realmuto before Realmuto re-signed with the Phillies yesterday for three years and $45MM.
The Rays rarely make major forays into the free agent market, and it was widely assumed that Realmuto would eventually return to Philadelphia. Beyond these two points, however, it makes plenty of sense why the Rays would’ve checked in Realmuto, given both their needs behind the plate and the fact that Realmuto lingered on the open market until mid-January. Had the Phillies successfully signed Bo Bichette, for instance, Realmuto’s chances of a reunion might’ve gotten a lot slimmer, leaving the door open for the Rays (or another catcher-needy team) to swoop in with an offer.
Zach Eflin‘s three-year, $40MM deal from the 2022-23 offseason represents the biggest contract the Rays have ever given to a free agent. This isn’t far under what Realmuto got from the Phillies, and if Philadelphia had dropped out of the Realmuto market altogether, there might’ve been opportunity for the Rays to make a similar offer, or perhaps even a matching average annual value on a two-year deal. In fact, MLB Trade Rumors projected a two-year, $30MM deal for Realmuto, but the Phils ended up adding a third year with the same $15MM average annual value.
Besides the Phillies, the Red Sox were the only other team known to have interest in Realmuto this winter. The Rangers were a speculative suitor, but reports indicated that the team’s limited budget wouldn’t allow for such a pursuit. Among other contenders or would-be contenders, the Giants, Reds, Pirates, or Marlins might’ve made sense, but there wasn’t any indication that any of these clubs (several of whom are also operating within reduced payrolls) made any push for Realmuto.
As per usual in Tampa Bay, there has been a lot of offseason roster shuffling, with some relatively pricier players moved out and other players brought in to fill holes in a somewhat less expensive manner. Steven Matz, Cedric Mullins, and Jake Fraley were all signed for a combined $25MM, so the Rays added three players for slightly more than the $22.5MM they would’ve owed Brandon Lowe and Pete Fairbanks had the two been retained. The end result is a payroll that will probably look pretty similar to last year — RosterResource estimates the Rays’ 2026 payroll at around $80.1MM, in comparison to their $78.9MM payroll from 2025.
Signing Realmuto might well have resulted in the Rays having to unload another prominent salary to make the numbers fit. Losing someone like Yandy Diaz to add Realmuto might not have been a welcome tradeoff for Tampa’s lineup, but since Diaz is entering the last guaranteed year of his contract, perhaps that’s a move the Rays would’ve been open to making making in order to finally shore up the catching position.
President of baseball operations Erik Neander said in November that the Rays were keeping an open mind about catchers, saying that “if we can find a way to be better at that position, we will, but those are two guys [Nick Fortes and Hunter Feduccia] we appreciate. If we roll into next year and that’s where we are — a lot of players, we’re counting on development from where they were, and that certainly applies to those two and [we] think that they can give us more than they did this year.”
Fortes and Feduccia are currently lined up as the Rays’ top two catchers, with Logan Driscoll and non-roster invite Blake Sabol as the only other backstops in the organization with any MLB experience. In a sign of how the position has been a revolving door for the Rays, Fortes and Feduccia have each been with the team just since July, as the duo were respectively acquired from the Marlins and Dodgers in deadline trades.
Fortes is a glove-first catcher who has hit only .224/.280/.345 over 1174 plate appearances in the majors. Feduccia also hasn’t hit in the Show but only in the limited sample of 119 PA, with 102 of those trips to the plate coming after the trade from Los Angeles. Formerly a well-regarded prospect in the L.A. farm system, Feduccia has strong Triple-A numbers and might be something of an untapped resource as a hitter, though he is already 28 years old.
With Realmuto back in Philadelphia and Victor Caratini now signed by the Twins, the top two options on the free agent catching market quickly left the board in 24 hours’ time. Rather than sort through other free agents who might not represent clear upgrades, the Rays seem to prefer looking for trade help, as Rosenthal writes. The pickings are pretty slim on this front as well, but teams like the Royals, Cardinals, or Pirates could conceivably have enough available catching depth to match up with Tampa Bay as trade partners.
Riley Adams, YOU are a Tampa Bay Ray
Twins catcher Jeffers?
This is a good idea.
P.S. I’m happy to see someone else who is as big of a Joey Meneses fan as I am!
Maybe the Twins found a trade partner for Jeffers
Kevin Cash can prob still suit up.
Call the Cardinals. They have half a dozen catchers.
That’s what I was hoping the Phillies would do.
Trade for Dalton Rushing? He is never going to get a shot with the Dodgers.
I was thinking the same.
He’s the backup catcher. That is his shot.
Joey Bart, Nick Gonzalez, and A low level prospect for Yandy. Get it done Ben!
Why on earth would Tampa do that? They already have a Joey Bart and several Nick Gonzalez’s.
I don’t know the guys they’ve listed as their current catchers but Bart is bat first and they could argue that his 2024 season is not unreasonable to expect again.
They just got Nick G (Lux) from the Reds but who is under control for three less years than the real Nick G.
Their starting shirt shop has a projected war of .9. Nick is not much higher but would be an improvement. Idk, I don’t think it’s a crazy trade idea.
Ya gotta get more than 0.9 war outta your shirt stop.
Gonzales hasn’t hit his stride. A lot more there than he’s shown so far in my opinion.
I blame those synthetic fibers. If Costanza was running things, nothing but 100% cotton.
They can get Gonzales Bart for free when they are dfa
If Bart, Gonzales or anyone is traded it’ll be for a 3b. Doubt that Nutting will pry open his wallet wide enough for Suarez.
I need to stop trusting Baseball Ref. They said he’s a 1b/3b. Seems he really only DHs. Nvm.
Endy Rodriguez of the Pirates could be a sneaky good add for the Rays.
True if Endy could stay off of the IL
Or Joey Bart.
Pirate fans sure are wanting to get rid of Joey Bart
Because we wonder which Bart will show up this year.
Hoping for 2024 version but 2025 version is still better than anyone else.
Maybe one of the other catchers will surprise us and he can be traded at the deadline.
Rays want a catcher. Not a failed prospect and weak platoon dh
All those words and not naming possible targets.
That’s what your brain is for sometimes. Unlock it’s potential!
Two players on the Dodgers will make more than the entire Rays team this year.
One (either Tucker or Ohtani) will COST the Dodgers more than the Rays payroll, with lux tax.
Why not the White Sox as a trade partner? Lee is a potential starter and a very sound backup. Sox have 2-3 other defensive catchers who could replace Lee.
They want someone better than what they have. Feduccia can play a bit.
Maybe he can play, but maybe 1 more year of seasoning needed. Lee has MLB experience and the Sox are motivated to get bullpen help. Wouldn’t be surprised to see a trade.
I think you nailed it Lee would be perfect for them, plus catchers are late bloomer most time. Heck maybe even call Brewers about Seigler or there is a catcher Wood who if given a chance that will probably surprise people in the Brewers system that is blocked
Sox need more OF help than bullpen help respectively.
Keep Lee away! He Kd 6 times in a minor league game. Thats just like half of thier lineup. Might as well ride out Fedducia as a starter since this year is a tank anyways. Eventually Keegan will be ready or some new guy will come up in the ranks, and a new catcher in a lost season isn’t worth losing McClanahan, Diaz, Caminero, or whichever star they have left that they want to trade for peanuts. Maybe just accept this season and maybe 2-3 others as lost causes, let prospects like Simpson, Keegan, Isaac, Williams, etc develop, keep guys like McClanahan and Caminero (and sign them to long term deals) so there is something to build around, and bring the free agents to supplement the roster when it looks like the turnaround is close.
they’re probably more interested in Teel (not happening) or Quero (could line up, but would probably be carson williams or jacob melton)
I think they would be totally happy with Lee for a PTBNL/ cash situation.
A Quero trade would have to start with one of their high upside OF prospect like Aiden Smith.
A package swap with Quero going to Tampa and Tre Morgan and Homer Bush Jr going to Chicago.
Don’t need really need 1B since MM was signed.
Hey can play in the outfield plus he is really solid on defense.
He’s not Aiden Smith but if he has high upside then sure.
Ok Smith and Bush Jr.
That’s too bad. Was hoping to see Realmuto play for the Rays.
He chose the city of brotherly love over going back to Florida.
After two consecutive fourth place finishes followed by a putrid off-season it might finally be time to stop praising the alleged genius of the Rays’ front office for it’s ability to field a competitive team on a limited budget. The executives who spearhead the team’s run of marginally successful seasons have long since left the organization and the team’s performance over the past few seasons has fallen well short of its now undeserved reputation.
They were well in playoff position before that ridiculously long road stretch last summer did them in, they’d have been a playoff team had they been playing at the Trop last year and thus a more balanced schedule
They need to get out this good glove/can’t hit mold they’re stuck in.
Yeah, part time Rays fan here. They have struck out big time on position players trades recently and have stuck with Walls at SS beyond the expiration date. Also, their BP work has slipped.. I was hoping new owners would have some money. Unfortunately, they appear deeply in debt.
That’s the problem with the Rays, they have a fan base of part time or transplant fans who are really Yankee, Oriole and Phillie fans back in their original places of residence.
It’s a tough division. They have stiffer competition than the other small-market teams.
From 2018 to 2023, the Rays were 4th in MLB regular-season wins. However, even if we include the past 2 seasons, the Rays are 6th in MLB wins over the past 8 seasons. That means the following teams are looking up to the Rays: CLE, PHI, BOS, SEA, STL, CHC, NYM, TOR, SFG, SDP, MIN, OAK, AIR, CIN, TEX, LAA, WSN, BAL, DET, PIT, MIA, KCR, CHW and COL.
With these facts, one can argue without much effort that most fans would like to see their team operate as smartly as the Rays have.
None of this refutes what I said. They had a few good years. The executives that ran the team in the run up to those years are gone. They’ve had two straight fourth place finishes and a lousy off-season. It’s time to stop overrating the Rays.
I think you’re missing 2 key details.
1. The guy that was supposed to be the pillar of the franchise got caught as a pdf. His last game was August 2023. Losing what looked to be a future face of the team really cut the legs off the team.
2. McClanahan, the ace of the staff, has basically been out injured about that same time period.
The front office hasn’t been on a hot streak, but losing your best players on both sides of the ball is the bigger reason for diminished success the last 2-3 years.
Cardinals are an obvious option to pair up for a trade unless the Rays would like to move Yandy in a deal. As a Reds fan, I’d love to see a Tyler Stephenson + prospect for Diaz, but that’s probably very unlikely.
They just took Lux off our hands, I could aee the Rays doing Ty Steve as well
The OFs hitting after May for the Rays was a big part of them finishing 4th. Rays have gone out and retooled their OF.
I would love to see a good old fashioned baseball trade by the Yankees and Rays here. Austin Wells and prospects for Yandy Diaz who only has a year left on his contract. The Yankees could put Ben Rice behind the plate and get more offense there without losing offense at first base. The Rays could lock up an affordable catcher for a few years and fleece a couple prospects the Yankees didn’t even know were good.
With Joe Mack on the way the Rays should call the Marlins about Liam Hicks
Cubs.
The Cubs don’t really have strong depth at catcher with Anaya injured all the time and Ballesteros not a good defensive player.
They could trade Amaya and re-sign McGuire, but then they’ll be looking for a catcher for 2027.
They were interested in Realmuto like they were interested in Ketel Marte and Freddie Freeman. They check in so the can leak stories like these pretending like they actually want to spend money.
Tyler Stephenson for Yandy Diaz straight up?
Yep
I feel like Pages is the only real trade chip for the cardinals. I don’t see them moving Herrera. I guess they could trade Crooks but that, to me, feels unlikely with their desire to get younger player opportunities. Only issues is Pages seems redundant for what the Rays already have behind the plate.
Pages works as a solid defensive catcher.
The more interesting trade is Crooks for RH OF Aidan Smith. Two 50FV prospects with full years of control. Classic need-for-need transaction, makes sense for both clubs..
Both sets of fans would complain, so probably a fair trade……
Cardinals haven’t made a move yet for a position player this offseason. I doubt they trade a near MlB ready catcher for an OF. Could be wrong.
Yep. I came here to see what teams (needing catchers) might be matches with the Cardinals.
I really thought Pages or Crooks would be traded this winter. Maybe something happens when things gets going and a team loses a catcher to injury.
The cards might not move crooks, but they’d certainly listen. He’s arguably the 4th best catcher in the organization. Herrera, Rodriguez, Bernal and then Crooks. He hardly had a cup of coffee in the bigs, but Rodriguez and Bernal have higher ceilings and crooks will need to show out this year or at least one of them will supplant him by the 2027 season. We are rebuilding and need pitching, and right handed outfielders. I don’t think running Pages and Herrera this season will be a deal breaker. For the right pieces abloom would absolutely at least entertain trading Crooks. Though I wouldn’t trade with the rays unless they absolutely blew me away. I’m saying that even though the rays are my second favorite team. It usually isn’t a wise choice to trade with Tampa since they always seem to pull off some devil ray voodoo magic and handily win most trades. If I’m bloom I’m only trading crooks to the rays via a 3rd or maybe even a 4 team deal. Have someone else lose by having to trade directly with Tampa and act as a buffer.
So you basically disagreed then agreed with me that it would take a big deal for them to trade Crooks? Cool. I never said they wouldn’t or shouldn’t just saying a close to MLB ready catcher is valuable for a franchise looking to give young players a chance. They aren’t even sure if Herrera can be an MLB catcher and Rodriguez is great but 19 and never played above A+ ball and Bernal is more of a defensive first catcher. Like both but not sure we should trade away crooks because he’s the “4th best catcher in the org”.
Does TB have a back‑end starter they’d move? The Braves might move Murphy, but his value is low and I like the Murphy/Baldwin catching–DH tandem.
I was just thinking this as well but what about Murphy for Yandy and have him DH for the Braves. I know they like to rotate catchers between DH and catcher but Yandy would extend that lineup significantly.
Handy and another SP innings-eater would give the Rays salary relief, though they shouldn’t expect that.
Yandy. Of course.
I would not trade Sean Murphy, there are three positions in baseball that you had better be strong defensively and that catcher and SS and CF. I would put catcher first.
Should’ve signed Caratini.
Gary Sanchez with his boom stick bat and familiarity with the division is standing by his phone.
Surprised the Dodgers didn’t get Realmutto. 3 years 150 million
Too old. If a couple of years younger probably.
the Twins will send over Jeffers for Gillen and Pierce
Mets and Rays ? Torrens or a AAA catcher for Y. Diaz ? Diaz plays 1b and Polanco DH’s
Go trade for JC Escarra from the Yankees. He’s available.
Talk of trade depth of catchers in Stl is exaggerated. Pages is a catcher. Herrera can catch but not throw, but can really hit. Crooks is unseasoned and Rainal is a prospect with pop and years away. Bernal is a catcher but was in Springfield last year so could be a late season call up, but I’d imagine Bloom would like to see what they have in him first. No one seems likely to want Pozo. It would be curious to me to see any of these guys moved at this point.
So you want more depth than 3 of your top 7 prospects, all 50FV or more?
Crooks for Aidan Smith is the most interesting trade, 2x 50FV prospects each at the other’s position of need.
Bernal will be up in a year and hes better than Crooks. Make do with Pages/Pozo/Herrera in 2026, its a non-competing year.
They certainly could do that, but Crooks is still unproven and is worth what? I mean if it is a prospect swap of equalish value then great, but those are pretty rare in the modern Era. Crooks was minor league player of the year in ’24 for the Cards. I would think it would be beneficial to see him play. If Herrera is actually back behind the plate this year, Crooks is probably the second best option overall at the position on the 40 man with 6 full seasons of control remaining. It seems like if they are actually about “letting the kids play” then they would move Herrera and his 4 years of control and give some runway to Crooks to see if he can handle all that goes with being field general in Stl.
Surprised they didn’t sign Carantini
Connor Wong and a pair of minor leaguers for Yandy Diaz. Yandy plays 3B and we can call it a successful offseason
First thought is trade for Ryan Jeffers.
Sandy Leon still around?
The Reds have three catchers combining for over 15 million. They would probably trade one.
Bring back Toby Hall