ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -With two significant trades just before Christmas, the character and identity of the Tampa Bay Rays appear unclear and uncertain.
Not that “the character” seemed in place, but the way the Rays approach the 2026 season remains very much the “x” factor. Now, parts considered important to the future were dealt for players whom Erik Neander, the president of baseball operations, can contractually control for the foreseeable future.
In exchange for pitcher Shane Baz, dealt to the Orioles, and second baseman Brandon Lowe, traded to the Pirates, a plethora of prospects now wear the sunburst logo. The status of their contribution, immediate or long-term, remains unsure.
For a franchise attempting to rise off the mat after two disappointing seasons, the Rays appear to have hit a crossroads.
Their power game is compromised, and the trade of Lowe, who banged 31 home runs last season, exacerbates a difficult situation. With his departure, that leaves third baseman Junior Caminero as the only legitimate power hitter. Camerino hit 45 homers a year ago, and that was one off the franchise record set by Carlos Pena in 2007.
Add Yandy Diaz, hit 25 bombs and Jonathan Arnada chipped with 14, but lost considerable time due to a broken hand, the power grid in newly restored Tropicana Field flickers.
Unless he is moved between the holidays and the start of the 2026 spring training, the Rays appeared to have placed a significant number of eggs into outfielder Josh Lowe’s basket.
Here’s a player who slumped considerably but remains in great esteem.
“(Josh Lowe) has worked his butt off trying to get his body in shape,” said Rays’ manager Kevin Cash during the recent winter meetings, “He’s getting his athleticism back. We know the 2023 version of Josh Lowe is an extremely talented player, and that would help any baseball roster. That’s what we’re looking forward to this spring.”
Three years ago, Lowe, who will be 28 years old on Feb. 2, hit .292, slammed 20 homers, and knocked in 83 runs. In the two years since, his numbers include a combined 21 home runs and 74 RBIs.
Factor in a declining batting average to .220 in 2025, and Cash appears to be looking into a crystal ball.
That’s why the Rays sought out outfielder Cedric Mullins, and Mullins signed as a free agent on Dec. 7.
At 31, he has a career .247 batting average over eight major league seasons. That includes all with Baltimore except for 42 games with the New York Mets a year ago.
Watching the native of Snellville, Ga., from the other dugout, Cash said, “(Mullins) is not a guy we like to see come to the plate. He has a great speed-power combination and the ability to play centerfield.”
With Mullins in center, that creates competition for the corner spots among newly acquired Jake Fraley and Jacob Melton and returnees Jonny DeLuca, Chandler Simpson, and Richie Palacious.
Fraley was signed as a free agent, and a player could break into the lineup on opening day. In seven major league seasons, the native of Bear, Del. hit .248 with 47 homers and drove in 129 runs. More importantly, he would bring speed to the lineup. In those seven seasons, Fraley stole 162 bases and could complement the speedy Simpson, who swiped 44 bags a year ago
Melton is also another player who might push the competition.
Coming over from Houston in that three-team deal that sent Brandon Lowe to the Pirates, Melton came up for the proverbial “cup of coffee” with the Astros last season. He stepped to the plate 70 times in 32 games, batted .157 with no homers, and knocked in seven runs. Overall, in four seasons in the minors, he hit. 255 in 1009 at-bats with a combined 48 homers and knocked in 139 runs.
All of which could develop that identify.
Given the ebb and flow of a major league season and the protracted 162-game schedule over a six-month period, teams can manufacture identities, and that persona can quickly vanish.
Give the lack of considerable power but with Simpson, Fraley, DeLuca and Taylor Walls providing speed on the bases, the Rays could best be served by pressuring defenses, play “small ball” and manufacture runs.
Still, there are still seven weeks until pitchers and catchers report to Port Charlotte and the Rays’ roster construction far from complete.