Before he signed with the Tampa Bay Rays, infielder Amed Rosario reportedly had a significantly higher offer from the New York Yankees.
Rosario signed a $1.5 million deal with the Rays, but had a $4 million pact on the table in New York, which is the same money they were dangling in front of Enrique Hernandez before he signed with the Dodgers.
Per Joel Sherman of the New York Post:
The Yankees, I am told, had the same $4 million on the table for Rosario, who instead took a $1.5 million base from the Rays.
Rosario’s representative Ulises Cabrera told The Post that what Tampa Bay could provide was a clearer route to regular at-bats, including at shortstop where Tampa Bay is currently lined up to go with Jose Caballero. Wander Franco remains out of the camp as he awaits legal proceedings in the Dominican Republic on accusations of physical and sexual abuse and commercial sexual exploitation of a minor.
That's certainly not wrong. Given that the Yankees have Anthony Volpe, DJ LeMahieu and Gleyber Torres in the infield in 2024, the at-bats likely wouldn't have been there for Rosario, barring injury.
In Tampa, the Franco situation hangs over the entire organization, and Caballero and/or Taylor Walls are not as implanted in the lineup, so Rosario should have an easier time beating them out or splitting time. Furthermore, with as creative as the Rays are, Rosario could see time in the outfield or in platoon situations that furthers his playing time at multiple positions.
Rosario is a seven-year veteran who has played with the New York Mets, Cleveland Guardians and Los Angeles Dodgers in his career. A former top prospect, he was dealt to Cleveland before the 2021 season in the deal that sent Francisco Lindor to the Mets.
Rosario is a lifetime .272 hitter and is coming off a season in which he hit .263 for Cleveland and Los Angeles. He doesn't offer much in the way of power as 15 homers in 2019 is his career high.
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