The Rays have agreed to a minor league contract with left-handed reliever Cam Booser, per the team transaction log at MLB.com. He’s a client of Northwest Sports Management. The log doesn’t specify as much, but MLBTR has confirmed that Booser will be in major league camp with the Rays as a non-roster invitee.
Booser, 33, spent the 2025 campaign with the White Sox organization, tossing 31 innings in the majors and another 14 2/3 frames in Triple-A. That was his second season with big league work, adding onto the 42 2/3 frames he logged with Boston in 2024. In 73 2/3 innings between the BoSox and ChiSox, Booser carries a 4.28 earned run average, a 23.9% strikeout rate and a 10.7% walk rate. He’s an extreme fly-ball pitcher, inducing grounders at just a 31% clip.
Booser sits 95.5 mph with his four-seamer and complements the pitch with a cutter averaging 88 mph and a slider that sits 81.7 mph. His solid strikeout rate is supported by a 13% swinging-strike rate in the majors, and his 89.5 mph average exit velocity, 10.4% barrel rate and 38.9% hard-hit rate are all at or close to the league average among relievers. Booser has never struggled to miss bats much in the minors, but command troubles have been present throughout his professional career.
After trading Mason Montgomery in the three-team swap that sent Brandon Lowe to Pittsburgh and brought Jacob Melton from Houston to Tampa Bay, the Rays’ only lefty in the bullpen is Garrett Cleavinger. They don’t have any left-handed relievers on the 40-man roster in the minors, though any of Joe Rock, Ian Seymour or DFA pickup Ken Waldichuk could conceivably work out in relief if the team prefers to explore a role change. All three are on the 40-man roster.
The Rays haven’t been especially active in bringing players aboard on non-roster deals with invitations to spring training, so at the moment Booser is one of the more experienced NRIs who’ll be in camp with Tampa Bay. That can always change in the weeks ahead, of course, but barring the addition of another lefty or two, the hard-throwing Booser probably has a chance to force his way into the Opening Day picture with a big spring showing.
Wow!
He had a rough go of it last year, but was solid in 2024. I think this is a smart, solid move with almost no downside.If he can regain his old form they have a cheap bullpen piece, if not they cut bait and move on.
Red Sox legend.
He was traded to the White Sox for a guy who’s in their top 10 now I think so we have more reason to be mad lol
The Red Sox traded Fajardo to the Cardinals in the package for Contreras.
Well poop
Is he the brother of Boof or Carlos?
Boof Bosner?
He’s the nephew of Biff Pocoroba.
Third cousin of the late Jeff Procaro
I’ll drink to Booser’s new deal!
He has to lay off the sauce.
Otherwise he’ll get shellacked.
He still throws pretty hard. Solid upside signing.
The Rays have found answers to turn pitchers around in the past. His stuff is there, but he may need to adjust his mix of pitches or incorporate a new one.
Either way, the Rays saw something in him worth rolling the dice over.
dave – No you’re thinking of that basketball player Alonzo that just signed with the Orioles.
Also super cool narrative for his career, good luck booser
Indeed.
Michael Kopech is the guy the Rays need to add as a great set-up or starter. He might be a great role model for younger pitchers
White Sox legend
Boof Bonser came to mind when I read this headline.