Tampa Bay Rays: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Rays AL East Rival Predicted To Sign Pete Fairbanks in Free Agency

The Tampa Bay Rays shocked the baseball world when they announced they were not exercising the team option they held for their closer, Pete Fairbanks. Instead of taking on their $11 million contract, the Rays decided to pay a $1 million buyout.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Rays to listen to offers on Brandon Lowe

The Rays will field trade interest in Brandon Lowe this winter, writes Jeff Passan of ESPN. That’s to be expected with the All-Star second baseman one year from free agency.

Forrest Whitley News / MLB Trade Rumors / November 18

Rays release former first-round pick to pursue NPB opportunity

The Rays announced that they’ve released former top prospect Forrest Whitley to pursue an opportunity in Japan. Tampa Bay had selected him onto the 40-man roster a couple weeks ago to avoid losing him to minor league free agency.

Trent Grisham News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 18

Trent Grisham Projected Contract Makes Rays Free Agency Prediction a Head Scratcher

The Tampa Bay Rays have a few areas on their roster that could use upgrades this offseason. Arguably, the positional group needing the most help is the outfield.

Philadelphia Phillies News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The '50-home-run MLB seasons' quiz

How many of the players to reach the 50-home run milestone in one MLB season can you name in five minutes?

The 'Active MLB home run leaders' quiz

The 'MLB yearly runs created leaders' quiz

The 'Playoff home run leaders by MLB team' quiz

Tampa Bay Rays News / MLB on ClutchPoints / November 18

Rays rumors: ‘Destitute’ payroll could lead to 2-time All-Star trade

The Tampa Bay Rays are hoping to improve in 2026, after a frustrating 2025 season. Tampa Bay is expected to struggle though to spend money due to a destitute payroll, per ESPN.

MLB News / Yardbarker

25 notable MLB Hall of Famers who never won a World Series

Among the countless Hall of Famers who never experienced the joy of winning a World Series, there are several notable legends who stand out. Here's our list of the 25 greatest.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 18

Rays Future Star Continues Climbing Recently Updated Top 100 Prospect Rankings

The Tampa Bay Rays have done a wonderful job throughout their existence of pinpointing young talent that fits the mold they are looking for and getting the most out of their development.

Homer Bush News / DRaysBay / November 18

2025 Draysbay Community Prospect Review: Homer Bush Jr.

Prior to the start of each season, the Draysbay community takes part in an excercise in which the top prospects in the Tampa Bay Rays system are ranked by popular vote.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 18

Rays Prospect Making Strong Case To Be Added to 40-Man Roster To Avoid Rule 5 Draft

The Tampa Bay Rays have some major decisions to make ahead of the Rule 5 Draft this year. Three players who are top 30-ranked prospects in the organization need to be added to the 40-man roster to avoid being part of the pool of draft-eligible players.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 17

Rays Fans Will Be Disheartened Learning of the MLB GM Meetings Buzz

The Tampa Bay Rays know they have to get creative when it comes to upgrading the talent on their roster compared to their American League East rivals. Since their inception, the Rays have operated on a notoriously strict budget.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 17

Rays Have Several Important but Easy Decisions To Make Ahead of Rule 5 Draft

The Tampa Bay Rays have already made some changes to their roster this offseason, cleaning things up. Six players were designated for assignment to make space for players who were already acquired from outside of the organization or coming off the injured list.

Josh Naylor News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 17

How Mariners Signing Josh Naylor Impacts Rays This Offseason

The Tampa Bay Rays have begun their offseason, and one of the first dominoes might have fallen in free agency, which could impact the team. Coming into the winter, the Rays figured to be a team that could look to move a veteran or two in a trade this winter.

MLB News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest pitching seasons from the modern MLB era

America's favorite pastime has more memorable performances than any sport. As such, figuring out which pitchers had the best seasons ever is no easy task.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 17

Improving This Key Area Should Be a Goal for Rays This Offseason

The Tampa Bay Rays have started up their offseason, and with the general manager meetings ongoing, a plan for the team going forward is starting to take place. While it may have been a surprising move by the team, the decision not to pick up the option for closer Pete Fairbanks does give them some more financial flexibility to start the winter.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Last Word On Sports / November 16

Rays Should Reunite with Former Pitcher in Free Agency

The Tampa Bay Rays are usually at the top of the league when it comes to making trades. The Rays typically extract maximum value from the sheer amount of trades they execute.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'NFL QB rushing TD leaders' quiz

The 'NFL yearly tackles-for-loss leaders' quiz

The 'Men's Final Four hosts since 2000' quiz

The 'Most TD catches by NFL tight ends' quiz

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 16

Rays Rookie Receives Warranted Praise for Impactful First Big League Season

There were several standout performers for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2025 despite the team’s lackluster overall results. Third baseman Junior Caminero broke out, being named an All-Star in his first full Major League season.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 16

Rays Looking To Make Competition Stronger at Key Position This Offseason

With the general manager meetings ongoing, the plan for the Tampa Bay Rays this offseason is starting to become clear. After a disappointing year in 2025, the Rays are going to be an aggressive team this winter in trying to make some moves to help the team win not only now, but long-term as well.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 16

Rays Are the Biggest Wild Card in MLB Heading Into Free Agency

There have already been some major changes for the Tampa Bay Rays this offseason, and free agency hasn’t even heated up yet. Promotions were announced for multiple people within the organization who were deserving.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 16

Rays Former Pitcher Might Receive Multi-Year Deal in Free Agency

The Tampa Bay Rays have started up their offseason, and there are some critical decisions to be made regarding what the franchise is going to look like in 2026. It has already been a busy start to the winter for the Rays, who are trying to reshape their roster a bit and improve some areas of need.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 15

Rays Prospect Has Tools Needed To Become Starter Next Season

The Tampa Bay Rays have entered the offseason with some optimism regarding their new ownership and the fact that they will be back at a real ballpark this coming season. As new ownership figures out where the long-term home of the Rays is going to be, they will once again have a roof over their heads at Tropicana Field.

Tampa Bay Rays News / MLB Trade Rumors / November 15

Rays’ Erik Neander discusses outfield, catcher

As the Rays map out their offseason plans, the front office has an area of the roster they’re highlighting as the priority.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 15

Rays Recently Released Draft Pick Signing With NPB's Orix Buffaloes

There are a few positions on the Tampa Bay Rays roster that they look to be set at for years to come. The corner infield would certainly qualify, where they have Junior Caminero entrenched as the starting third baseman and Jonathan Aranda locked in as the starting first baseman.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 15

Are the Rays Going To Be a Desirable Destination for Free Agents This Offseason?

The Tampa Bay Rays have entered the offseason, and their plan of attack is still a bit unclear. Coming into the winter, the team figured to have the ability to go in a couple of different directions this winter, with a lot of unknowns due to new ownership taking over.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Field Level Media / November 14

Rays confirm return to Tropicana Field next season

The Tampa Bay Rays have confirmed their return to Tropicana Field next season in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Rays played their home games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa in 2025 due to the damages caused by Hurricane Milton in October 2024.

Bob Seymour News / Fastball on SI / November 13

Rays Release 27-Year-Old Power Hitter After Rough MLB Debut

Bob Seymour had to grind through the minor leagues as a former 13th-round pick, and in 2025, he finally broke through. Seymour's four years in the Tampa Bay Rays organization had been a long, impressive power display, as he hit a total of 89 home runs in 410 minor-league games.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Last Word On Sports / November 7

Rays Surprisingly Decline Option on Veteran Closer

Well, that registers as a bit of a surprise. The Tampa Bay Rays declined the contract option on veteran reliever Pete Fairbanks minutes before the deadline on Thursday.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Last Word On Sports / November 6

Rays Pick Up Contract Options on Two Middle Infielders

The Tampa Bay Rays executed the most straightforward part of their offseason. There will be plenty of difficult decisions in the upcoming months. They picked up the contract options of two infielders, which give them plenty of flexibility in determining the best path forward.