Rays options at shortstop for 2025

The boring part of this article is unfortunately that Taylor Walls is more than likely going to be the starting shortstop next season.

It's frustrating to hear that probability because he's a black hole offensively and he doesn't seem to be anywhere close to approaching league-average statistics (which would actually make him valuable).

However, it's the offseason, so exploring any temporary options at this position will be fun because the Rays aren't getting any long-term solutions for shortstop until Carson Williams is ready for the big leagues.

Forunately, everyone in baseball believes that Williams is poised to be one of the best shortstops once he arrives, so why would we create a jam at the position or waste any resources.

But there are some guys out there who could theoretically be affordable for the Rays and be solid bridge guys until Williams gets settled in Triple-A, and there are even some potential internal options for the Rays to explore if Walls gets hurt or falters in his defensive wizardry that's keeping him from being a DFA candidate.

The first name is the obvious and most likely one, and then things should get a bit more interesting.

Taylor Walls

Enough has been written about Walls that it's unnecessary to go into too much detail about him.

He is who he is; he's a great fielder who is one of the best infielders in baseball whose role would probably best be served as a super utility defensive replacement instead of a full-time position player at any spot.

Although, due to unforeseen circumstances, Walls has been thrust into the starting shortstop role, and he hasn't done much to incite confidence that he's ever going to rise above mediocrity offensively.

His process numbers are fine when it comes to plate discipline, but everything else speaks to a player whose true-talent level is likely only ever going to be as a really putrid major league hitter. His quality of contact metrics are almost at or near the bottom for good reason; Walls lacks any sort of thump, and his low chase rate can't save him, because teams invite him to put the ball in play, because he's one of the least dangerous hitters in baseball.

Jose Caballero

Is Caballero better enough offensively to make up for his downgrade defensively compared to Walls?

Probably not, as his power numbers are just as bad if not worse than Walls', and he draws a lot fewer walks.

The biggest plus for Cabby is his baserunning; he's been worth around 3 baserunning runs over his first 2 seasons, a nice mark for someone who doesn't get on base all that much.

Cabby, like Walls, is perfect as a defensive replacement/pinch-runner, so he's fine to have around the roster, but no, he's not good enough offensively to supplant Walls' starting role at short.

Ha-Seong Kim

Now things get interesting; is Kim going to take a short-term, high-dollar deal with the Rays to try and boost some of the value he might have lost with his subpar 2024 campaign?

Are the Rays likely to offer him that kind of deal, or maybe even a longer-term deal that isn't expected from such a financially frugal team?

No to both. Kim is likely to receive some very solid interest from across baseball, as he's able to play anywhere in the infield at a high level defensively, and his process metrics are some of the best in baseball.

Chase and whiff rates are both super low, and while he'll never be Aaron Judge or anything like that, he can at least provide enough slug to force pitchers to pitch to him with a little respect.

Kim is a comodity the Rays aren't going to be able to afford, but the good news is that theoretically, with Williams due to come up soon, if the front office somehow convinced ownership to fork over a little dough and sign the former Padre, Kim could still figure into future plans by shifting over to second after Brandon Lowe's contract expires.

Williams and Kim would make for one of the best defensive middle infields in baseball, and it'd sure be a whole ot of fun to watch the two slick fielding fellas turn double plays.

Hopefully the Rays read this and decide to throw caution to the wind and do something fun, but even if not, it's all good. Carson Williams will be up soon, and Taylor Walls can either be non-tendered or moved back to his more optimal role.