The Tampa Bay Rays take great satisfaction in making small roster changes that lead to signings that have a significant impact. Did they just hit again? According to Robert Murray of FanSided, the team and free agent catcher Danny Jansen have agreed to a one-year, $8.5 million deal.
Before being dealt to the Boston Red Sox in July, the 29-year-old played for the Toronto Blue Jays for six and a half seasons. He hopes that a strong 2025 will replace the comfortable boundaries of the American League East.
Jansen tallied a .205 batting average with nine home runs and 24 RBIs in 92 games. While his latest offensive campaign leaves a lot to be desired, he has proven himself to be a capable power hitter for the position in the past. Jansen blasted 32 home runs across a 158-game span from 2022-23, which probably explains why the Red Sox gave up three prospects for him.
Furthermore, he is excellent at blocking pitches behind the plate (MLB-best 14 blocks above average in 2024, per Baseball Savant. Former second-round draft pick Ben Rortvedt could continue to command playing time at catcher, but the Rays are clearly committed to giving Jansen considerable responsibilities based on this contract.
The Rays will try to weather all the changes, as usual
Tampa Bay president of baseball operations Erik Neander has made a plethora of trades over the last several months, perpetuating a trend of shipping out players before they enter free agency. Randy Arozarena, Zach Eflin, Isaac Paredes and Jose Siri are all gone, ushering in a new era of Rays baseball.
The team’s pitching staff, which ought to be somewhat healthier the next season, will remain a defining feature. After recovering from Tommy John surgery, Shane McClanahan, a two-time All-Star, hopes to return to his position as the team’s ace. Tampa will have an opportunity to be competitive once more if it can figure out how to maintain a full starting rotation.
Danny Jansen, a newcomer, might be crucial to that process.
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