How the Rays can execute their best offseason approach heading into 2025

The Rays tend to take a conservative approach to the offseason due in part to a lack of sufficient funds, but also because they firmly believe that they can find high quality players that every other team overlooks. If you're getting Moneyball vibes, then this article will definitely hit home for you.

Before we attempt to predict the Rays' approach to the 2025 offseason, let's recall some of the Moneyball-esque players that the Rays have signed in recent years.

On May 26, 2021, the Chicago Cubs released reliever, Jason Adam. They resigned him a month later, but he would elect free agency at the end of that season. The Rays' front office must've seen something behind the scenes in Adam's game because he completed his time in Chicago with a 4.44 ERA spanned over only 24 innings. Tampa Bay decided to sign the crafty right-hander during the 2022 Spring Training and transformed him into one of the top relief pitchers in the whole league. The Rays would unfortunately trade him to the Padres before this past deadline for three high level prospects, but the impact Adam had on our bullpen should not be overlooked.

This amazing example of how the Rays can revive a player's career is one of many. Other players that have had similar paths include Nick Anderson, Harold Ramirez, Jose Caballero, and Garrett Cleavinger. Regardless, each offseason brings its own challenges and the front office has the difficult task of continuing to find these unreal success stories to guide the small-market club.

Let's do a deep dive into some possible "diamonds in the rough" that the Rays could acquire before Spring Training. Now, the probability of guessing the route Erik Neander and company will take is very difficult, but that's why we love this team and their ability to surprise us each and every season.

1. Ryan Borucki

There's a few reason why we believe that Borucki is a southpaw the Rays could be interested in. First of all, he is an undervalued left-handed reliever. Last season, he only appeared in 11 innings and carried a 7.36 ERA making him a candidate for being replaced by the Pittsburgh organization.

A second reason is that he previously played for the Toronto Blue Jays, so he has experience pitching in the dangerous AL East. However, the Pirates' success rate in trades with the Rays have not been very good as they dealt us Austin Meadows, Tyler Glasnow, and Shane Baz for Chris Archer in 2018. This trade was certainly one of the most lopsided exchanges in franchise history. They might be hesitant to strike another deal with Tampa Bay, but Borucki could be a great fit.

2. Nick Fortes

Fortes is a 27-year old catcher from DeLand, FL. The young backstop is in his fourth year in Miami and hit a sub-par .227 in 110 games this season. We could see the Rays targeting him because of the extreme need that we currently have at the catcher position. Also, he has shown potential behind the dish posting a .990 fielding percentage in 2024. If the Marlins decide to let him go due to their current rebuild stage, the Rays could be a great fit for the Miami native.

3. Kevin Newman

The last potential signing that we're going to feature is D-Backs infielder, Kevin Newman. Newman has been in the league for seven years, primarily playing shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has played for two different teams the last couple seasons; Cincinnati in 2023 and Arizona in 2024. We believe the Rays may seek out a contract for a player like Kevin Newman to add more depth to a solid infield core. Also, Newman saw playing time at left field and every infield position last year. A comparable former Ray would be Ben Zobrist as he was a super-utility man for Tampa Bay from 2006-2014.

Kevin Newman is a free agent heading into the 2025 offseason, so the Rays could possibly strike a deal with the underrated infielder. Nevertheless, it will be very interesting how the Rays' front office decides to attack this offseason.