Few MLB teams generate as much year-to-year intrigue as the Tampa Bay Rays. If you asked casual baseball fans to name the winningest teams of the decade, many might overlook the Rays. Despite the scarcity of consistent winners in Major League Baseball, Tampa Bay stands out as an exception.
The Rays’ track record speaks for itself, with impressive performances over the past five seasons. They posted the best record in the American League in 2020 and 2021, and have maintained a winning record each year since 2018. Only the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Houston Astros have more regular-season wins than the Rays since 2020—all three have also won a World Series during that time, with the Dodgers defeating the Rays in 2020.
Despite a strong 99-win season last year, the Rays’ prospects for a sixth consecutive playoff berth in 2024 look slim. Entering Friday’s games with a 64-63 record, they are 7 games out of a Wild Card spot, needing to leapfrog two teams to make the postseason.
In response to their struggles this season, the Rays traded away key players but managed to secure solid returns. Known for seeking any edge, Tampa Bay operates with a unique approach. While they rarely add players via the waiver wire, they’ve designated several for assignment, including the surprising release of Harold Ramirez earlier this year after he went unclaimed.
Pinpointing a potential candidate for a similar fate on the current roster is difficult, given the depth of talent within the Rays’ minor league system. One player who might draw interest is veteran reliever Erasmo Ramirez. The Rays excel at maximizing their pitching staff’s potential, consistently ranking in the top five for team ERA from 2019 to 2023. Despite his struggles, Ramirez has shown promise in the minors and could be of interest to teams needing bullpen depth.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Rays are poised to return to playoff contention, thanks to strategic trades that have bolstered their future outlook. While the postseason may elude them this year, Tampa Bay’s method of building from within and extracting value from overlooked players continues to prove successful, even if a championship remains out of reach.
