Tampa Bay Rays: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

MLB Insider Believes Rays' Free Agent Pete Fairbanks Will Be Next Closer to Sign

As the winter meetings get closer for the Tampa Bay Rays, the team should start to see a bit more activity in the coming weeks regarding free agents and trades. After a disappointing year in 2025, the Rays are hopeful to improve this winter and get back into contention in the American League.

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Rays Trade Target: OF Lars Nootbaar

The Tampa Bay Rays have an outfield problem, both an overabundance of outfielders on the current roster and no clear answer on will take on starting roles once the 2026 season arrives.

MLB News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / December 1

Long-Time Giants Slugger Deemed 'Perfect Match' for Rays in Free Agency

With the winter meetings right around the corner for the Tampa Bay Rays, the franchise is going to be trying to find some affordable ways to improve a couple of key areas. So far this offseason, things have been relatively calm.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / December 1

Rays Would Be Great Fit for Astros Slugger Named Potential Trade Candidate

The Tampa Bay Rays have a few weaknesses on their roster that they will be looking to address this offseason. Of course, that is easier said than done when operating on a budget the size the franchise runs on.

Cal Raleigh News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Most home runs by a switch hitter' quiz

A Major League switch hitter has hit at least 35 home runs on 35 occasions in MLB history. How many of the switch hitters to reach that milestone can you name in five minutes?

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Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 30

Rays Need To Improve This Area to Remain Competitive in AL East

With the offseason well underway for the Tampa Bay Rays, recent moves by division rivals have further created a need for them to upgrade in a key area. Coming into the winter, the Rays had some precise needs that they wanted to address.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players on the brink of stardom in 2026

The stars were out in full force during the 2025 World Series. From Max Scherzer in Toronto to Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and of course, Shohei Ohtani, in Los Angeles, there was no shortage of the game's best under the brightest lights.

Tampa Bay Rays News / MLB Trade Rumors / November 30

Rays interested in Zach Eflin, Adrian Houser

The Rays are known to be perusing the market for shorter-term starting pitching help as they look to fill out their 2026 rotation, and Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that a pair of familiar names are being discussed by the team as potential targets: right-handers Zach Eflin and Adrian Houser.

Pete Fairbanks News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 30

Market Value for Rays' Free Agent Pete Fairbanks Starts to Take Shape

With a recent signing by the Baltimore Orioles, the market and the value of Tampa Bay Rays’ free agent closer Pete Fairbanks has become a bit clearer. While there haven’t been a plethora of major moves just yet in free agency, there have been some deals starting to trickle in day by day.

MLB News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 30

Orioles Signing Star Closer Widens Gap in AL East for Rays This Offseason

The offseason is starting to heat up with free agents beginning to sign with their new teams. Even though the Tampa Bay Rays will be relatively quiet on that front, their division has already been very aggressive. Coming into the winter, there was some slight hope that with new ownership, the Rays might look to make a splash this offseason.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 29

Rays All-Star Slugger Unsurprisingly Deemed Top Potential Trade Candidate

The offseason is well underway for the Tampa Bay Rays, and the franchise will be hoping to improve and make a run in the American League East. While the Rays have been busy to start the winter, they have yet to make a significant improvement to the roster.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 29

Rays Are Excelling at Squeezing Most out of Low-Budget Roster

The Tampa Bay Rays are at a major disadvantage when it comes to roster construction compared to their rivals in the American League East. The Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays all have the ability to spend big in free agency and have grand plans to do so this winter.

Xavier Isaac News / MLB Trade Rumors / November 29

Rays former first-round pick 'fully recovered' after brain surgery

Xavier Isaac revealed in an Instagram post that he actually underwent a "life-saving" brain surgery on July 3, following a routine brain scan for what seemed to be just a dehydration issue.

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.

Pete Fairbanks News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 29

Division Rival Makes Sense in Free Agency for Rays' Free Agent Pete Fairbanks

With the offseason continuing for the Tampa Bay Rays, free agency has been moving somewhat quietly around the holidays. However, things should start to heat up soon with the winter meetings right around the corner.

Pete Fairbanks News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 28

Bullpen Can Be Strength for Rays Even Without Pete Fairbanks at Closer

The Tampa Bay Rays surprised a lot of people when they decided to decline the club option on closer Pete Fairbanks. There were already several weaknesses on the roster that had to be addressed this offseason.

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Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 28

Rays Slugger Could Be Game-Changer if Made Available in Trade Talks

With the winter meetings right around the corner for the Tampa Bay Rays, things should start to heat up between now and then. So far, the Rays have made a lot of minor roster moves to help set up the team for 2026, but there is still a good amount of work to be done.

Pete Fairbanks News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 28

Rays Former Closer Pete Fairbanks Has Reportedly Been in Talks With NL Contender

The Tampa Bay Rays surprised a lot of people when they decided to decline the club option they possessed on closer Pete Fairbanks for the 2026 season. Instead of exercising it and paying him $11 million, they opted to pay a $1 million buyout instead, making him a free agent.

Christopher Morel News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 28

Rays Non-Tendered Outfielder Named a Potential Good Fit for Guardians

The Tampa Bay Rays began their much-needed reshaping of the outfield when they announced that Christopher Morel was designated for assignment, and then they decided to non-tender him.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 27

Former MLB Executive Labels This Area as Need for Rays To Improve This Offseason

With the offseason continuing on for the Tampa Bay Rays, the team will be focusing on trying to improve a couple of key areas. As shown by the team finishing eight games under the .500 mark in 2025, there are some areas that they would like to improve upon.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 27

Rays Should Be Thankful for This Key Reason on Thanksgiving This Year

With Thanksgiving here for the Tampa Bay Rays, the fanbase and the franchise have plenty to be thankful for. As free agency and the offseason continue to move along, things have been relatively quiet for the most part.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 27

Rays Reportedly Add Former Orioles Manager to Front Office Role

The Tampa Bay Rays have been relatively busy this winter in terms of roster moves, but they have reportedly made a nice addition to their front office as well.

MLB News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 27

Blue Jays Signing Star Pitcher Makes Things Increasingly Difficult for Rays

With the offseason rolling on for the Tampa Bay Rays, they recently saw a division rival get even better with a massive addition to their starting rotation. Coming into the winter, the Rays knew that their division was going to be active and trying to improve.

Christopher Morel News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / November 27