2 Rays players from last year that will be missed, 2 that won’t

The Rays 2025 roster will look significantly different than last year with only 29 returning players. There are multiple players whose impact for this club will be greatly missed and others that may be better off playing for other organizations.

Harold Ramirez

Rays former utility man, Harold Ramirez was an interesting type of player. The consistent right-handed hitter was not an everyday player, but he averaged about 120 games per season for the Rays. He could also play multiple positions from corner outfield to first base, but there didn't seem to be a clear role for him on the team.

However, the Colombian athlete was certainly one of the most productive Rays hitters since he joined the team in 2022. Ramirez slashed .300/.337/.411 while in Tampa Bay. He was also apt to avoiding the dreaded punchout, as he accrued 1.58 hits for every strikeout. His contact abilities and beaming personality will definitely be missed in 2025.

Jason Adam

When Jason Adam was signed by the Rays in spring training of 2022, the reliever was coming off of back-to-back years in Chicago where he didn't even surpass 20 innings. In 2021, Adam produced a 5.91 ERA over 10.2 innings.

The Rays turned him around instantly. In 2022 and 2023, the Nebraska native pitched more than 50 innings and had a sub-3.00 ERA each season. Due to his impressive mid-90s fastball mixed with a great slider and changeup, Adam was able to put up All-Star caliber numbers in 2024 to the tune of a 1.95 ERA. That stat was good for 14th best in the majors among relief pitchers and it allowed him to receive steady attention at the trade deadline.

Unfortunately, the Rays were sellers at the 2024 deadline, so they dealt the 33-year old to the Padres for three top-20 prospects in San Diego's organization. Building up talent is what the Rays do best, but Jason Adam will definitely be missed in the Rays bullpen this season.

Phil Maton

As we shift over to players that will not be missed on the Rays roster, right-handed reliever Phil Maton comes to mind. The former Astros pitcher was only a member of the Rays for part of the 2024 season, but he still appeared in 35 innings for Tampa Bay.

Maton struggled as his strikeout rate lingered at 0.86 per inning and his walk rate was about 0.5 walks per inning. The 31-year old also gave up six home runs in his short stint which was fourth most among Rays relief pitchers.

The righty was traded to the NL runner up, New York Mets at the trade deadline and his numbers immediately improved. In 28 innings in New York, he had the same number of strikeouts and 12 less walks. Maton also gave up only one home run, so Rays fans should be glad that he is off our roster and finding success elsewhere.

Alex Jackson

Alex Jackson was a no-brainer. The 29-year old catcher played in a career-high 58 games for the Rays in 2024 and manufactured one of the worst batting averages in franchise history. Jackson slashed .122/.201/.237 with only three home runs. "Power threat" was one of his calling cards and even that statistic was desolate.

Despite the miserable 2024 campaign, the rival Yankees traded for Jackson this offseason after he was signed to a minor league deal by the Cincinnati Reds. Projected to be their backup catcher this season, the Rays front office should be relieved that they aren't the ones who will have to stress over his underperformances.