The 2025 arbitration deadline has come and gone and the Tampa Bay Rays have settled with 4 of their 5 arbitration eligible gamers. Taylor Partitions and the Rays will head into an arbitration listening to in just a few weeks.
The Rays entered the offseason with 12 arbitration eligible gamers, however by a collection of commerce, non-tenders, a re-worked contract, and an extension, they had been solely left 5 gamers remaining. Previous to the deadline, Erik Neander spoke about to the Tampa Bay Occasions about being longing for reaching offers with all 5 gamers.
“We recognize our gamers, we’re going to do every part we will to seek out that frequent floor and function throughout the spirit of the system, and hopefully we’re ready to try this in a method that we attain agreements.
Shane Baz
MLB Commerce Rumors projection = $1.9M
Precise 2025 wage = $1.45M
Baz, 25, made his return to the Rays lively roster this previous season. The previous prime prospect underwent Tommy John surgical procedure on the tailend of the 2022 season, inflicting him to overlook out on your complete 2023 marketing campaign. In the course of the 2024 season, Baz made 14 begins for the Rays, compiling a 3.06 ERA | 4.07 FIP with a 21.6 Ok% & 8.5 BB% over 79 1⁄3 innings pitched.
Ben Rortvedt
Listening to #Rays have reached settlement with 4 of their 5 arb eligible gamers, and can go to a listening to with INF Taylor Partitions.
Reaching agreements, a few of which have been beforehand reported:Littell $5.72MBaz 1.45MCleavinger 1.2MRortvedt 1.125M
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) January 9, 2025
MLB Commerce Rumors projection = $1.1M
Precise 2025 wage = $1.125M
Rortvedt, 27, was acquired by the Rays from the New York Yankees on the conclusion of spring coaching. Initially regarded as a again as much as Rene Pinto, Rortvedt shortly took over because the Rays major catcher. After opening the 12 months at a torrid tempo, his manufacturing slipped over the ultimate few months. Total, Rortvedt hit .228/.317/.303 with 3 HR, registering a 87 wRC+ and accumulating 1.4 fWAR over 112 video games.
Garrett Cleavinger
Supply: Garrett Cleavinger, Rays settle at $1.2 million, avoiding arbitration.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 9, 2025
MLB Commerce Rumors projection = $1.4M
Precise 2025 wage = $1.2M
Cleavinger, 30, took over as one of many extra reliable excessive leverage bullpen arms for the Rays in 2024. After compiling a complete of 53 2⁄3 IP from 2000 to 2023 within the Majors, Cleavinger supplied the Rays with a complete of 60 IP in 2024, compiling a 3.75 ERA | 4.00 FIP with a 26.7 Ok% & 11.7 BB% over 68 appearances.
Zack Littell
Supply: Zack Littell, Rays settle at $5.72 million, avoiding arbitration.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 9, 2025
MLB Commerce Rumors projection = $4.8M
Precise 2025 wage = $5.72M
Littell, 29, showcased that his success as a beginning pitcher in 2023 was no fluke as he proved to be a reliable workhorse for the Rays, main the crew in innings pitched and fWAR, regardless of a two week stint on the Injured Listing in August. Total throughout the season, Littell compiled a 3.63 ERA | 3.88 FIP with a 21.5 Ok% & 4.7 BB% over 156 1⁄3 IP, accumulating 2.3 fWAR.
Taylor Partitions
MLB Commerce Rumors projection = $1.3M
Precise 2025 wage = unable to succeed in an settlement
Partitions, 28, struggled offensively throughout the 2024 season for the Rays, however the crew believes that his protection greater than makes up for his lack of manufacturing. Though defensive metrics disagree on simply how precious Partitions is with the glove. It’s attainable that Partitions was nonetheless coping with the results of hip surgical procedure, which prompted him to overlook the primary two months of this previous season. Regardless, the Rays consider in Partitions’ capability sufficient that he appears destined to be the crew’s beginning shortstop for 2025. This previous 12 months, Partitions hit .183/.282/.248 with 1 HR, registering 60 wRC+ and accumulating -0.2 fWAR over 84 video games.
