Before pitchers and catchers report to spring training, we’re checking in to see how each team has fared thus far this off-season, acknowledging that there’s still time for that evaluation to change. Teams will be presented in reverse order of finish from 2016. Next up: the Tampa Bay Rays.
2016 Results
68–94 (.420), fifth place in American League East
Key Departures
RHP Kevin Jepsen*, 1B Logan Morrison*, SS Alexei Ramirez*, LHP Drew Smyly
Key Arrivals
C Wilson Ramos, OF Colby Rasmus, OF Mallex Smith
(*free agent, still unsigned)
Off-season In Review
After bottoming out with the franchise’s worst record since 2007, there was some expectation that the Rays would deal away pitcher Chris Archer or third baseman Evan Longoria as the start of a full-blown rebuild.