Predicting where the 4 remaining Rays free agents will sign

At the beginning of the 2024 offseason, the Rays had zero free agents. However, the front office made the difficult decision of non-tendering four players ahead of the deadline. Those athletes are now anxiously waiting for a home for the 2025 season. Let's predict the landing spots for our current free agents.

Dylan Carlson

The only Rays position player currently testing free agency is former Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson. After a stellar rookie season in which the first round pick finished third in ROY voting, the California native has scuffled over the last three years. Carlson posted a 3.1 WAR his rookie year, but he's accrued an ineffective 1.2 WAR since then. Despite the obvious struggles, it's hard to believe that a club won't, at least, sign this switch-hitting outfielder to a minor league deal due to the potential that he still contains.

Prediction - Dylan Carlson to the Royals on a minor league deal worth $1 million

Colin Poche

Colin Poche was one of the more surprising non-tender decisions for the Rays this offseason because of the success that the lefty has had in the bullpen in recent years. However, mainly due to injury concerns, Poche is now a free agent. Former second round picks, Ian Seymour and Joe Rock joined the roster with the chance to replace Poche in the loaded bullpen.

What does the future hold for the former Rays long reliever? We predict that Poche will receive a respectable major league contract due to the constant need for left-handed pitching and his clear skill set and success. While perusing through MLB depth charts, we noticed that the Yankees currently lack any lefties in their bullpen. Although they could sign Tim Hill or Brooks Raley, Poche would be an ideal option for New York because of his youth and experience in the AL East.

Prediction - Colin Poche to the Yankees for one-year, $3 million

Richard Lovelady

Lovelady has been a reliever in the league since his debut with the Royals in 2019. However the lefty hasn't surpassed 100 innings in his five big league seasons. His best year was in 2021 with Kansas City as he finished with a 3.48 ERA in only 20 innings of work. The 29-year old was split between the Cubs and Rays in 2024 and put up average numbers. He completed the season with a 4.46 ERA in 34 innings.

Despite the mediocre play throughout his career, left-handed pitchers are still seen as a prized possession across the MLB. Therefore, we're predicting that Lovelady will join the Washington Nationals on a minor league deal.

Prediction - Richard Lovelady to the Nationals on a minor league deal worth $1 million

Tyler Alexander (Pirates)

How could the Rays non-tender Tyler Alexander after nearly throwing the first perfect game in franchise history? Well, the 30-year old was actually one of the most inconsistent hurlers on the Rays staff last year. He threw a career-high 107 innings in 2024, but produced a below-average 5.10 ERA.

Tampa Bay's front office was willing to part ways with him because of the up-and-down kind of pitcher that he was. However, since he still likely has some solid years left in the tank, we believe the Pirates will sign Alexander for his seventh major league season.

Prediction - Tyler Alexander to the Pirates for one-year, $2 million