"The Rays have a new owner and (hopefully) their old ballpark, as the plan is for a renovated and restored Tropicana Field to be ready for the start of the 2026 season. Beyond those significant details, it may be an otherwise relatively normal Rays offseason, as the team looks to juggle payroll and churn the roster in the hopes of returning to contention."
"Yandy Diaz, 1B: $12MM through 2026 (Rays hold $10MM club option for 2027; becomes guaranteed for $13MM if Diaz has 500 plate appearances in 2026) Drew Rasmussen, SP: $6MM through 2026 (includes $500K buyout of $8MM club option for 2027) Option Decisions Pete Fairbanks, RP: $12.5MM club option ($1MM buyout) Brandon Lowe, 2B: $11.5MM club option ($500K buyout) Taylor Walls, SS: $2.45MM club option ($50K buyout; Rays have arbitration control over Walls through 2027 whether they exercise the option or not) 2026 financial commitments (if Fairbanks/Lowe options are exercised): $41.5MM Total future commitments (if Fairbanks/Lowe options are exercised): $42MM Other Financial Obligations Wander Franco, SS: Owed $164MM through 2032, but isn't being paid while on MLB's restricted list."
A new ownership group has taken control of the Rays while a renovated Tropicana Field is planned to be ready for the 2026 season. The team faces a conventional offseason focused on payroll management and roster turnover to chase contention. Guaranteed contracts include Yandy Diaz and Drew Rasmussen; club options for Pete Fairbanks and Brandon Lowe, plus a small option for Taylor Walls, will influence 2026 commitments. Wander Franco remains owed a large long-term sum but is not being paid while on MLB's restricted list. Front-office leadership will change at the top, while baseball operations leadership remains in place.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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