3 questions facing the Tampa Bay Rays this offseason

One year made a great deal of difference to the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Rays had spent the 2025 season at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees' spring training facility and the home of the A-ball Tampa Tarpons, after Tropicana Field was severely damaged due to Hurricane Milton. The Rays had a disappointing 77-85 record that year, their worst showing since 2014. 

2026 was a different story. Back home at Tropicana Field, the Rays finished the year with a 98-64 record, the best mark in the American League. The Rays reached the World Series for the third time in franchise history before falling short against the Brewers. Now the Rays need to find a way to not only return to the World Series, but to bring home their first championship.

Three questions facing the Tampa Bay Rays

1. How do the Rays rebuild their rotation?

The Rays locked in one important piece of their rotation for the 2027 season when they exercised their $20 million option on Drew Rasmussen. President of baseball operations Erik Neander stated that the Rays plan on keeping their staff ace next year, solidifying one spot in the rotation. Shane McClanahan has top-of-the-rotation upside if he can remain healthy, which has not been a given in his career.

The rest of the rotation is a question mark. Nick Martinez and trade deadline acquisition Freddy Peralta are free agents and may be beyond the Rays' budget to bring back. Griffin Jax and Ian Seymour were solid after converting to the rotation and Ryan Pepiot should be healthy for next year. However, with Rasmussen and McClanahan a year away from free agency, the Rays may need rotation reinforcements sooner rather than later.

2. Will the Rays extend any of their core?

In theory, the Rays could have a substantial amount of payroll flexibility after the 2027 season. Disgraced shortstop Wander Franco is the only potentially guaranteed contract beyond next season, although he is unlikely to see another dollar of that deal. Meanwhile, the Rays are staring down a potential exodus from their core, with Rasmussen, McClanahan, Jax and first baseman Yandy Diaz among the notable players who could hit the open market.

Rasmussen and McClanahan may be more expensive than the Rays would be comfortable with. Diaz, however, is 35 years old and could be willing to sign a two or three year deal if the financial aspect can work out. Catcher Liam Hicks, third baseman Junior Caminero and first baseman Jonathan Aranda could be extension candidates as well.

3. Where do the Rays upgrade?

It is easy to look at the Rays' World Series loss to the Brewers and assume they simply ran into a buzzsaw. However, three of the five games were decided by one run - the Rays lost two of those games. Finding the right upgrade in the lineup could make a drastic difference in 2027.

From an offensive standpoint, the easiest positions to upgrade would be shortstop and center field. Taylor Walls is an excellent defensive shortstop but a liability with the bat. The outfield may be the easiest area to upgrade; center fielder Cedric Mullins is a free agent, leaving a hole in the lineup. If the Rays can add another productive bat to the outfield mix, and fellow outfielders Victor Mesa Jr. and Chandler Simpson can take another step forward, the Rays lineup could have enough firepower for their first championship.