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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/rays-rumors-ketel-marte-trade-buzz-tampa-bay-suitor');   ga('set', 'title', 'Rays rumors: Ketel Marte trade buzz grows as Tampa Bay emerges as suitor');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Rays-rumors-Ketel-Marte-trade-buzz-grows-as-Tampa-Bay-emerges-as-suitor-1.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Rays rumors: Ketel Marte trade buzz grows as Tampa Bay emerges as suitor</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-13T06:54:22-08:00">December 13th, 6:54am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-13T06:54:22-08:00">December 13th, 6:54am</time><address><a>Yasmin Edañol</a>Yasmin D.G. Edañol is a PhD candidate in Chemistry at the University of the Philippines Diliman, with a background in scientific research and publishing. He brings a data-driven perspective to sports storytelling as an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints, with a focus on the NBA. Whether it's breaking down a clutch play or a stat line, he believes every great moment has a deeper layer waiting to be uncovered.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Arizona Diamondbacks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Arizona Diamondbacks <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/arizona-diamondbacks/diamondbacks-rumors-ketel-marte-trade-motivation-exists-drama-filled-season">weighed trading Ketel Marte after a disappointing season</a>, and the silence did not last. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/arizona-diamondbacks/diamondbacks-rumors-why-time-is-now-to-trade-ketel-marte">Rumors are now roaring as a possible move storms</a> into MLB Free Agency, with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/arizona-diamondbacks/mlb-rumors-red-sox-tigers-rays-among-teams-on-ketel-marte-trade-radar">Tampa Bay Rays suddenly at the center of it all</a>. This is no longer background chatter. It is loud. It is deliberate. And it is coming straight from MLB Network. When names, need, and timing collide like this, the league pays attention.</p><p>Jon Morosi <a href="https://x.com/SleeperMLB/status/1999533621896716406" rel="noopener">framed the moment clearly</a> on MLB Network. “I think the chances have increased that Ketel Marte is going to be traded, and this possibility in particular is really intriguing to me, the Tampa Bay Rays.” The interest starts with production. Marte just posted a .283/.376/.517 slash line with 28 home runs and 72 RBI. That kind of bat travels. For a Rays team that finished 77–85 and fourth in the AL East, the appeal is immediate: offense, flexibility, and impact.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Rays have emerged as a potential suitor for Ketel Marte, per <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jonmorosi</a> </p><p>“I think the chances have increased that Ketel Marte is going to be traded, and this possibility in particular is really intriguing…"<br> <a href="https://t.co/NjedJLt2x7">pic.twitter.com/NjedJLt2x7</a></p><p>— SleeperMLB (@SleeperMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/SleeperMLB/status/1999533621896716406?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><h2>Why the Rays are a perfect trade partner</h2><p>Arizona’s stance has stayed consistent. If the Diamondbacks move Ketel Marte, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/arizona-diamondbacks/diamondbacks-rumors-what-arizona-is-looking-for-ketel-marte-trade">they want at least one, and possibly two, major league-ready starting pitchers</a>. That priority shapes every discussion and quickly narrows the list of true trade partners.</p><p>The Rays fit that demand. Industry reporting has already linked Ryan Pepiot and Shane Baz as potential return pieces, underscoring how real and advanced the framework has become. These are not lottery tickets. They are rotation-ready arms. That detail shifts the conversation from theory to action.</p><p>Precedent adds weight. The Rays and Diamondbacks have a long history of working together, built on trust and aligned roster philosophies. When stakes rise, that familiarity matters. Tampa Bay has pitching depth. Arizona needs it. The fit is direct and logical.</p><p>Context sharpens the urgency. Arizona finished 80–82, a sharp drop after its 2023 World Series run that ended against the Texas Rangers. The Rays also last reached October in 2023 and are searching for their next push. One deal could redirect both paths.</p><p>MLB Free Agency rewards teams that act before the window tightens. The Rays look positioned to strike. The only question left is timing. Does Tampa Bay move now, or does the noise get even louder?</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Rays rumors: Ketel Marte trade buzz grows as Tampa Bay emerges as suitor

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/mlb-stories/mlb-rumors-pirates-rays-trade-kyle-schwarber-miss');   ga('set', 'title', 'MLB rumors: The Rays trade Pirates are trying to make after missing on Kyle Schwarber');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Rays-2B-Brandon-Lowe-vs-Blue-Jays.jpg"><figcaption>Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>MLB rumors: The Rays trade Pirates are trying to make after missing on Kyle Schwarber</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-10T06:53:05-08:00">December 10th, 6:53am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-10T06:53:05-08:00">December 10th, 6:53am</time><address><a>Yasmin Edañol</a>Yasmin D.G. Edañol is a PhD candidate in Chemistry at the University of the Philippines Diliman, with a background in scientific research and publishing. He brings a data-driven perspective to sports storytelling as an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints, with a focus on the NBA. Whether it's breaking down a clutch play or a stat line, he believes every great moment has a deeper layer waiting to be uncovered.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Pittsburgh Pirates stayed aggressive at the Winter Meetings after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/philadelphia-phillies/phillies-news-kyle-schwarber-agrees-150-million-reunion">Kyle Schwarber’s blockbuster reunion with the Philadelphia Phillies</a> became one of the week’s defining moments. With that pursuit gone, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/pittsburgh-pirates/pirates-rumors-more-moves-jhostynxon-garcia-trade">the Pirates didn’t slow down</a>. Their posture had already shifted earlier in the offseason when they <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/boston-red-sox/red-sox-news-boston-acquires-pitcher-in-5-player-trade-with-pirates">traded Johan Oviedo for top-100 outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia</a>, a move that signaled a broader plan to retool with both upside and immediacy. Now, under the lights of the Meetings, that urgency has turned toward major-league help. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi <a href="https://x.com/jonmorosi/status/1998743915290120210" rel="noopener">reported</a> that the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/pittsburgh-pirates/mlb-rumors-brandon-lowe-ideal-fit-pirates-trade">Pirates reached out to the Tampa Bay Rays about Brandon Lowe</a>, showing a clear push to add left-handed power before the market shifts again. It felt decisive. It felt calculated. And it underscored that missing on Schwarber didn’t soften their ambition: it intensified it.</p><p>Brandon Lowe brings the exact profile Pittsburgh wants. For starters, he’s a two-time All-Star for Tampa Bay, earning selections in 2019 and 2025. Last season, he posted a .256/.307/.477 slash line with 31 home runs and 83 RBI, proving his bat still carries game-shifting weight when healthy. In addition, his power, patience, and postseason-tested presence offer the kind of balance the Pirates have been missing. Together, all of it fits the middle of a lineup craving a stabilizing force.</p><h2>A Rays pivot with real stakes for the Pirates</h2><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/rays-rumors-destitute-payroll-could-lead-2-time-all-star-trade">Rays remain in control of any talks</a>. They operate patiently. They evaluate every angle. Even so, Morosi’s report confirms that Lowe’s name is circulating, and Tampa Bay is at least listening. With that, his production and contract give them leverage. And the Pirates know that window won’t stay open for long.</p><p>Meanwhile, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/pittsburgh-pirates/pirates-rumors-120-million-kyle-schwarber-offer-wont-be-enough">Pirates offseason already made noise with their Kyle Schwarber pursuit</a> and their Garcia acquisition. Now, they’re aiming for impact again. Brandon Lowe checks their boxes for power, experience, and lineup presence. He fits their timeline. He fits their need.</p><p>So the question lingers: If the Pirates keep pressing, and the Rays keep listening, could this become the bold Winter Meetings swing that defines Pittsburgh’s offseason?</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB rumors: The Rays trade Pirates are trying to make after missing on Kyle Schwarber

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/rays-news-griffin-jax-team-usa-wbc');   ga('set', 'title', 'Rays’ Griffin Jax to pitch for Team USA in WBC');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Griffin-Jax-to-pitch-for-Team-USA-in-WBC.jpg"><figcaption>Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure><h1>Rays’ Griffin Jax to pitch for Team USA in WBC</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-09T22:12:39-08:00">December 9th, 10:12pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-09T22:12:39-08:00">December 9th, 10:12pm</time><address><a>Josh Davis</a>Josh Davis is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints with a focus on MLB. As the founder and creator of OutOfSightSports, Josh spearheads the development and expansion of an engaging social media platform, with a core focus on Twitter/X. A passionate sports writer, Josh is dedicated to delivering compelling content that connects fans and fuels vibrant sports conversations. His vision is to craft stories so vivid that fans feel like they’re standing at the plate or on the field.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Tampa Bay Rays will have one of their top arms on the international stage next spring, as right-handed reliever Griffin Jax has committed to pitch for Team USA baseball in the upcoming World Baseball Classic 2026. The announcement marks a major point of pride for the club and elevates the growing recognition <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/rays-news-steven-matz-to-sign-12th-season">surrounding the Rays bullpen</a>.</p><p>The Talkin Baseball podcast posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), <a href="https://x.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/1998624729578848649?s=20" rel="noopener">noting that</a> the Rays right-hander will officially join Team USA for the tournament.</p><p>“Griffin Jax will pitch for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic”</p><p>For Jax, the selection adds another highlight to a career defined by resilience and steady growth. After the Rays traded for him from the Minnesota Twins at the 2025 deadline, he jumped into late-inning work and posted a 3.60 ERA across 23 games. He built on that with a standout 2024 season, logging a 2.03 ERA and 10 saves and proving why he earned a place on the United States’ roster.</p><p>The World Baseball Classic 2026 is expected to showcase elite pitching depth, and the 31-year-old’s inclusion signals his standing among the country’s best. His path makes the achievement even more notable. A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, he became the first player from the program to reach MLB when he debuted in 2021. He also serves as a Captain in the Air Force Reserve, a role that shaped the discipline he brings to the mound.</p><p>For the Rays, his participation reflects well on a club known for maximizing bullpen talent. Having a key reliever selected for the world stage underscores the organization’s player development success and highlights the confidence Team USA baseball has in his ability to deliver in high-leverage situations.</p><p>As the 2026 event nears, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/rays-news-tampa-pulls-off-multiple-trades-including-white-soxs-adrian-houser">the Rays will monitor</a> his workload, but the chance to represent his country stands as a defining moment in his career and an honor for the franchise he now anchors in relief.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Rays’ Griffin Jax to pitch for Team USA in WBC

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/rays-news-steven-matz-to-sign-12th-season');   ga('set', 'title', 'Rays to sign ex-Red Sox, Mets pitcher for 12th MLB season');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Rays-to-sign-ex-Red-Sox-Mets-pitcher-for-12th-MLB-season.jpg"><figcaption>Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Rays to sign ex-Red Sox, Mets pitcher for 12th MLB season</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-08T20:23:41-08:00">December 8th, 8:23pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-09T14:00:25-08:00">December 9th, 2:00pm</time><address><a>Tristin McKinstry</a>Tristin McKinstry is an experienced sports writer who got his start back in 2014. He is a Senior Editor with ClutchPoints and is one of the staff's NHL experts. Tristin has worked professionally with The Inquisitr and GIVEMESPORT in the past, and his work has also been featured on Last Word On Sports, XFL News Hub, and USFL News Hub. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Communications at Southern New Hampshire University.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/rays-news-tampa-bay-officially-eliminated-from-playoffs-with-loss-to-red-sox">Tampa Bay Rays did not make the postseason in 2025</a> after a rather weird season. They did not play in their home ballpark, for instance. And the team simply never looked the part of a playoff contender. However, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/rays-news-tropicana-field-roof-officially-repaired-after-hurricane-damage">they are returning to Tropicana Field</a> for the 2026 season. When this happens, they’ll be bringing a new veteran pitcher along with them.</p><p>The Rays <a href="https://x.com/TBTimes_Rays/status/1998241115959677077" rel="noopener">are closing in on</a> a contract with free agent left-handed pitcher Steven Matz, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Matz remains in the AL East following a trade to the Boston Red Sox during the season.</p><p>It is a <a href="https://x.com/Britt_Ghiroli/status/1998507300999565390" rel="noopener">two-year deal</a> for Matz worth $7.5 million per season, according to Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic.</p><p>Matz, who has previously pitched for the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays, split this past season between the Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals. The veteran southpaw hurler began the year with St. Louis, pitching to a 3.44 ERA across 32 appearances. He was dealt to Boston around the MLB Trade Deadline as the Red Sox chased down a Wild Card spot.</p><p>The move to Boston proved to be a rather successful one. Matz pitched to a 2.08 ERA for his new team across 21 appearances down the stretch. He struck out 12 hitters while walking two batters in 21.2 innings in a Red Sox uniform.</p><p>What the Rays intend to do with Matz is unknown. However, he has experience both out of the bullpen and in the rotation. The 34-year-old New York native was used mostly as a bullpen arm in 2025, though. And he has not started more than 10 games since the 2023 season.</p><p>This is the second major free agent signing for the Rays after agreeing to a one-year contract with outfielder Cedric Mullins. Clearly, Tampa sees some value in Matz and has struck a deal to bring him into the fold. It will be interesting to see how the veteran hurler performs in his 12th season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Rays to sign ex-Red Sox, Mets pitcher for 12th MLB season

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/rays-news-cedric-mullins-one-year-deal');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cedric Mullins lands 1-year deal with Rays');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Cedric-Mullins-lands-1-year-deal-with-Tampa-Bay.jpg"><figcaption>Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure><h1>Cedric Mullins lands 1-year deal with Rays</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-03T15:33:07-08:00">December 3rd, 3:33pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-03T15:33:07-08:00">December 3rd, 3:33pm</time><address><a>Josh Davis</a>Josh Davis is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints with a focus on MLB. As the founder and creator of OutOfSightSports, Josh spearheads the development and expansion of an engaging social media platform, with a core focus on Twitter/X. A passionate sports writer, Josh is dedicated to delivering compelling content that connects fans and fuels vibrant sports conversations. His vision is to craft stories so vivid that fans feel like they’re standing at the plate or on the field.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Tampa Bay Rays have made another signature low-risk, high-reward move, agreeing to a one-year deal with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/new-york-mets/cedric-mullins-trade-grades-for-mets-orioles">Cedric Mullins</a> as they look to get back into the postseason after missing the playoffs for a second straight year. Mullins arrives after spending nearly his entire career with the Baltimore Orioles, where he debuted in 2018 and became an All-Star during his historic 30-home run, 30-stolen base season in 2021. His 2025 campaign started with the Orioles before a midseason trade to the New York Mets, setting up a challenging year that he now aims to rebound from in Tampa Bay.</p><p>Mullins, 31-years-old, hit just .216 with 17 home runs and 22 stolen bases last year but remains one of baseball’s elite defensive outfielders. His +4 Outs Above Average ranked among the best in the league, giving the Rays an instant upgrade in center. For a team that thrives on efficiency, adding Mullins on a short-term deal perfectly fits the organization’s MLB free agency approach, offering minimal risk with major upside.</p><p>The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), crediting The Tampa Bay Times’ Mark Tompkin for first breaking the news, and <a href="https://x.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1996352011680547110?s=20" rel="noopener">shared</a> the following.</p><p>“Source confirms: Cedric Mullins to Rays on one-year deal, pending physical. First: @TBTimes_Rays”</p><p>The move deepens Tampa Bay’s outfield depth, already featuring Josh Lowe, Jonny DeLuca, and Jake Fraley. Mullins will need to earn regular playing time in Spring Training, but his speed and glove could make him a difference-maker in late-game situations.</p><p>If the Rays can unlock the version of Mullins who hit 30 home runs and stole 30 bases in 2021, the deal could look like another front-office masterstroke, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/rays-junior-caminero-makes-22-year-old-history">giving the Rays a valuable spark</a> in a crowded outfield and elevating their lineup depth immediately.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cedric Mullins lands 1-year deal with Rays

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/pittsburgh-pirates/mlb-rumors-brandon-lowe-ideal-fit-pirates-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'MLB rumors: Brandon Lowe named ‘ideal fit’ for Pirates trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Brandon-Lowe-with-TB-Rays.jpg"><figcaption>Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>MLB rumors: Brandon Lowe named ‘ideal fit’ for Pirates trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-01T06:41:15-08:00">December 1st, 6:41am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-01T06:41:15-08:00">December 1st, 6:41am</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy is a Senior Editor at ClutchPoints, with expertise in MLB, NHL and golf. Chris graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Pittsburgh Pirates have been heavily rumored to be big spenders in the MLB offseason. That is not something fans are used to. They have not signed a free agent to a multi-year deal since Ivan Nova before the 2017 season. But with an elite young pitching staff, they have to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/pittsburgh-pirates/pirates-news-3-4-million-record-paul-skenes-just-set">spend to get Paul Skenes into the playoffs</a>. Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo of The Athletic reported that Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6850835/2025/12/01/mlb-offseason-free-agency-updates/" rel="noopener"> could be a trade</a> fit for the Pirates.</p><p>“The Rays have spent years pondering the possibility of trading second baseman Brandon Lowe. Now, with Lowe set to earn $11.5 million in the final year of his contract, the possibility might finally become real. Lowe, 31, would seem an ideal fit for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are casting a wide net for left-handed hitters and might be more successful acquiring them in trade than free agency,” the report read.</p><p>The Rays, of course, are not alone. Rosenthal and Woo reported, “The Athletics and San Francisco Giants are among the other clubs seeking to upgrade at second base.”</p><p>The Pirates have made a trade with the Rays in the past that did not work out for them. They added Chris Archer after a great start to his career. But Tyler Glasnow, the prospect they gave up to get him, had a much better career than Archer. This may bring back bad memories for Bucco fans, but adding to the offense is a necessity.</p><p>The Pirates dealt with trade rumors already this season. A story had <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/pittsburgh-pirates/pirates-news-paul-skenes-admits-frustration-yankees-rumor-now-over-it">Skenes connected to the New York Yankees, something he categorically denied</a>. This is the trade rumor they would like to be associated with. But to keep these ones coming and stop the Skenes ones, they actually have to follow through on this trade.</p><p>Could the Pirates be the right fit for Lowe this winter?</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB rumors: Brandon Lowe named ‘ideal fit’ for Pirates trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/rays-news-tropicana-field-roof-officially-repaired-after-hurricane-damage');   ga('set', 'title', 'Rays’ Tropicana Field roof officially repaired after hurricane damage');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Rays-Tropicana-Field-was-in-poor-shape-after-Hurricane-Milton.jpg"><figcaption>Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Rays’ Tropicana Field roof officially repaired after hurricane damage</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-11-21T09:39:53-08:00">November 21st, 9:39am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-11-21T09:42:40-08:00">November 21st, 9:42am</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Tropicana Field is not the home that many fans want for their beloved Tampa Bay Rays, but it is home nonetheless. Following a year spent hosting games in George M. Steinbrenner Field, the American League East club is set to return to The Trop for the start of the 2026 MLB campaign. The team revealed that the roof, which was untenable after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/rays-news-tropicana-field-unfortunate-2025-update">incurring serious damage from Hurricane Milton</a> in October of 2024, <a href="https://x.com/RaysBaseball/status/1991900901699908027" rel="noopener">has been repaired</a>.</p><p>Facing limited options, the Rays sought refuge at the New York Yankees’ spring training ballpark in Tampa. They reportedly paid an approximately $15 million to their divisional foe to use the facility, a distressing situation for <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/rays-rumors-destitute-payroll-could-lead-2-time-all-star-trade">one of MLB’s smallest payrolls</a>. Fortunately, the organization will not need to fork over any additional rent money following the latest update.</p><p>Though, do not expect the fan base to flood the streets in jubilation. They still have serious gripes about the team’s current residence, namely that it is not in Tampa.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Panel by panel, thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly to make <a href="https://twitter.com/tropicanafield?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tropicanafield</a> whole again.</p><p>With the placement of the last piece, yesterday was a massive step forward for us, The City of St. Pete and Rays fans everywhere. <a href="https://t.co/VloIHETGhe">pic.twitter.com/VloIHETGhe</a></p><p>— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/1991900901699908027?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Apart from this temporary stay in Steinbrenner Field, The Rays have been camped in St. Petersburg, Florida since the MLB franchise played its first game in 1998. They draw low attendance numbers year after year, and the stadium is regarded as being one of the worst in the league. There are growing demands for a swift departure from St. Pete.</p><p>The Rays will remain in Tropicana Field through at least the 2028 season, but the hope is that a move to Tampa Bay can finally come to pass in 2029. Fans have heard a similar spiel for some time, but the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/rays-news-next-step-sale-mlb-owners-vote">new Patrick Zalupski-led ownership group</a> is inspiring optimism that changes may actually be made in the near future.</p><p>Right now, though, the focus is on getting The Trop fully ready for operation again. By the looks of it, that mission is almost complete.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Rays’ Tropicana Field roof officially repaired after hurricane damage

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/boston-red-sox/red-sox-news-boston-rays-agree-offseason-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'Red Sox, Rays agree to offseason trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Red-Sox-reliever-Luis-Guerrero-vs-Angels.jpg"><figcaption>Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Red Sox, Rays agree to offseason trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-11-18T10:59:07-08:00">November 18th, 10:59am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-11-18T11:30:08-08:00">November 18th, 11:30am</time><address><a>Yasmin Edañol</a>Yasmin D.G. Edañol is a PhD candidate in Chemistry at the University of the Philippines Diliman, with a background in scientific research and publishing. He brings a data-driven perspective to sports storytelling as an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints, with a focus on the NBA. Whether it's breaking down a clutch play or a stat line, he believes every great moment has a deeper layer waiting to be uncovered.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Red Sox</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/boston-red-sox/red-sox-rumors-morosi-buzz-kyle-schwarber-reunion">Boston Red Sox made another measured offseason move</a> as they sent Luis Guerrero to the Tampa Bay Rays and brought in infielder Tristan Gray, a deal <a href="https://x.com/ChrisCotillo/status/1990847803476611561" rel="noopener">first reported</a> by MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo and <a href="https://x.com/Feinsand/status/1990850542122193328" rel="noopener">later detailed</a> by MLB Network’s Mark Feinsand. The Red Sox also designated first baseman Nathaniel Lowe for assignment to clear space on the 40-man roster. It was a quiet transaction, but it carried the kind of intent that shapes a winter plan: get more flexible, add depth, and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/mlb-stories/mlb-rumors-tigers-cubs-rejoin-alex-bregman-sweepstakes-after-losing-out-red-sox-last-offseason">build the roster piece by piece while MLB free agency unfolds</a>.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/rays-news-tampa-bays-playoff-hopes-dealt-difficult-blow-shortstop-season-ending-injury">Tristan Gray arrives with power and steady infield work on his resume</a>, coming over after a midseason trade from the White Sox. He handled multiple positions in the Rays’ system and showed the type of swing the Red Sox often target in undervalued players. The Red Sox view him as an immediate option. Gray brings support to the lineup and offers insurance behind their established starters. He doesn’t need spotlight to matter. He just needs chances, and Boston believes its lineup can give him those.</p><p>Luis Guerrero heads to a Rays organization known for sharpening arms with raw tools. His fastball jumps. His secondary pitches show flashes. Tampa Bay has built an identity around turning those flashes into consistent production. For them, Guerrero is a project worth taking on. For Boston, moving him creates clarity on a roster that must stay nimble as bigger decisions approach.</p><h2><b>A move that hints at the Red Sox’s next steps</b></h2><p>This trade wasn’t meant to dominate headlines. Instead, it was designed to open space, add a bat, and position the Red Sox for the heavier work still ahead. Moreover, Gray gives them versatility. Lowe’s DFA, meanwhile, signals more moves coming. And as the market tightens, the front office appears determined to keep reshaping the roster before MLB free agency accelerates.</p><p>So now the question lingers over Fenway: what does this quiet step set up for the next one?</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Red Sox, Rays agree to offseason trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/rays-rumors-destitute-payroll-could-lead-2-time-all-star-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'Rays rumors: ‘Destitute’ payroll could lead to 2-time All-Star trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Rays-players.jpg"><figcaption>© Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Rays rumors: ‘Destitute’ payroll could lead to 2-time All-Star trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-11-18T08:28:49-08:00">November 18th, 8:28am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-11-18T08:29:18-08:00">November 18th, 8:29am</time><address><a>Benjamin Adducchio</a>Benjamin Adducchio is a journalist and writer with more than a decade of experience in covering sports news. Ben is a passionate sports fan who loves college football, basketball, and the New York Yankees.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/mlb-rumors-will-hometown-rays-pursue-kyle-tucker-new-ownership">Tampa Bay Rays are hoping to improve in 2026</a>, after a frustrating 2025 season. Tampa Bay is expected to struggle though to spend money <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46999006/mlb-2025-26-offseason-passan-predictions-free-agency-kyle-tucker-schwarber-alex-bregman" rel="noopener">due to a destitute payroll</a>, per ESPN. The Rays are listening to offers on Brandon Lowe, due to its need to find new talent.</p><p>Rays fans certainly hate to hear it. Tampa Bay finished the 2025 season with a 77-85 record. Lowe, a second baseman, batted .256 during the 2025 campaign with 31 home runs. He was named an All-Star in 2019 and 2025.</p><p>Tampa Bay spent the 2025 season playing in a minor-league ball park, due to storm damage at Tropicana Field. The<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/stu-sternburg-gave-rays-employees-parting-gifts-after-selling-team"> Rays are also involved in an ownership change</a>, after Tampa Bay and the franchise’s previous ownership came to a crossroads over how and where to build a new stadium.</p><p>Tampa Bay’s new owners <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46521150/new-rays-owners-promise-tropicana-field-repairs-search-new-park-region" rel="noopener">are promising change</a>.</p><p>“We need a new ballpark. I don’t think that’s disputed by anyone,” new team owner Patrick Zalupski said in October, per the Associated Press. “We want to build a sustainable championship team. We’re confident we can be successful in Tampa Bay.”</p><p>Work continues at Tropicana Field, to get the stadium ready again for baseball. Tampa Bay is under contract to play at that park for three more seasons, per the Associated Press. Then, the team’s home could very well change.</p><p>“We’re looking at everywhere,” Rays CEO Ken Babby said. “We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves to one location or site.”</p><p>Tampa Bay has had success in recent years. The club made the World Series in 2020. It was the second time in the franchise’s history that the club made the Fall Classic. Tampa Bay also had a World Series appearance in 2008.</p><p>Time will tell who ends up leaving the Rays, as the club undergoes renovation.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Rays rumors: ‘Destitute’ payroll could lead to 2-time All-Star trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/washington-nationals/nationals-news-blake-butera-rays-bench-coach-hire');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nationals manager Blake Butera brings over Rays confidant as bench coach');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Blake-Butera.jpeg"><figcaption>Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure><h1>Nationals manager Blake Butera brings over Rays confidant as bench coach</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-11-10T16:49:49-08:00">November 10th, 4:49pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-11-10T16:49:49-08:00">November 10th, 4:49pm</time><address><a>Josh Davis</a>Josh Davis is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints with a focus on MLB. As the founder and creator of OutOfSightSports, Josh spearheads the development and expansion of an engaging social media platform, with a core focus on Twitter/X. A passionate sports writer, Josh is dedicated to delivering compelling content that connects fans and fuels vibrant sports conversations. His vision is to craft stories so vivid that fans feel like they’re standing at the plate or on the field.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Washington Nationals are continuing their overhaul under new leadership, as <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/washington-nationals/nationals-news-washington-mlb-youngest-manager-over-50-years">first-year manager Blake Butera</a> brings a trusted colleague from the Tampa Bay Rays to join his staff. The Nationals have named Michael Johns their new bench coach, officially beginning a new chapter in the franchise’s rebuild. The move highlights Butera’s intent to blend youthful leadership with proven experience, aiming to create a cohesive, forward-thinking culture built on trust and player development.</p><p>The hire marks one of the first major moves of the Butera era and reflects a growing league-wide trend. More teams are now adopting the innovative methods long associated with the Rays coaching tree. Johns, who served as Tampa Bay’s first-base coach for the past two seasons, also managed several affiliates within the organization and built a strong professional bond with Butera during their time together.</p><p>The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal took to his X (formerly known as Twitter) to <a href="https://x.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1987917622000939108" rel="noopener">confirm the move</a>, noting how Johns’ experience will complement Washington’s rookie skipper. He wrote,</p><p>“Michael Johns, the Rays’ first-base coach the past two seasons, will be the bench coach for new Nationals manager Blake Butera, sources tell @TheAthletic. Johns managed the Rays’ Triple A club in 2023 and five other affiliates over eight seasons.”</p><p>The relationship between <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/washington-nationals/nationals-news-mike-piazza-glowingly-blake-butera">the Nationals’ new manager</a> and Johns extends far beyond the dugout. Johns once supervised Butera during his time in the Rays’ minor league system, making the reunion both strategic and personal. For the Nationals, it’s a calculated step toward stability as the organization continues to modernize its baseball operations under President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni.</p><p>Johns brings nearly two decades of coaching and development experience to Washington. His arrival helps fill a crucial gap for Butera, who at 33 years old becomes the youngest manager in Major League Baseball since 1972. Their shared history also creates an early foundation of trust and alignment. Together, they plan to install a philosophy centered on analytics, player development, and efficiency. They will also emphasize adaptability and communication—hallmarks of the Rays’ success over the past decade.</p><p>As the club enters the 2026 season, the message is clear. This isn’t just a rebuild — it’s a rebrand of the club’s identity, built on trust, innovation, and shared experience.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nationals manager Blake Butera brings over Rays confidant as bench coach

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/mlb-rumors-will-hometown-rays-pursue-kyle-tucker-new-ownership');   ga('set', 'title', 'MLB rumors: Will hometown Rays actually pursue Kyle Tucker thanks to new ownership?');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Kyle-Tucker-1.jpg"><figcaption>Matt Marton-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>MLB rumors: Will hometown Rays actually pursue Kyle Tucker thanks to new ownership?</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-11-10T07:49:09-08:00">November 10th, 7:49am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-11-10T07:49:09-08:00">November 10th, 7:49am</time><address><a>Dan Fappiano</a>Dan Fappiano is a Connecticut-based sports journalist with over five years of professional experience. After graduating from Central Connecticut State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism, he has covered every sport from fencing to football in the online and print medium. Dan hopes to see his beloved Bears win a Super Bowl someday.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>When it <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/mlb-stories/mlb-free-agents-best-players-every-position-2025-26-offseason">comes to the 2025 MLB free agency class</a>, there is perhaps <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/the-biggest-contract-cubs-must-offer-kyle-tucker-in-free-agency">no bigger name available than outfielder Kyle Tucker</a>. Which makes him signing with the Tampa Bay Rays seemingly unlikely.</p><p>However, the Rays have a new ownership group spearheaded by Patrick Zapulski. They could look to make a splash as they take over the franchise. And with Tucker being from Tampa Bay, signing the hometown hero <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6792919/2025/11/10/mlb-kyle-tucker-free-agency-teams/" rel="noopener">could make some sense</a>, via Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic.</p><p>“Even though executing a deal was unlikely, the Rays seriously engaged [Freddie] Freeman before he signed his six-year, $162 million contract with the Dodgers,” Rosenthal and Sammon wrote. “The thinking was the Rays had a solid nucleus of young, cost-controlled players and enough financial flexibility to invest in a special hitter who could still provide years of enormous surplus value.”</p><p>While the hometown connection should play a role in negotiations, this is still the Rays we’re talking about. Tampa Bay <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/payroll/_/year/2025" rel="noopener">ranked 27th in the league</a> with a payroll just north of $88 million in 2025, via Spotrac.<br>It’s fair to wonder if they’ll truly have the resources to sign Tucker.</p><p>“Given the way we’re operating right now,” one team source said, “I’d assume there is the usual amount of money to spend.”</p><p>Still, there’s no denying that Tucker would give the Rays a much more potent offense. Over his eight years in the big leagues, Tucker has hit .273 with 147 home runs, 490 RBIs and 119 stolen bases. Despite having what some consider a down year with the Chicago Cubs, the outfielder still hit .266 with 22 home runs, 73 RBIs and 25 stolen bases.</p><p>The Rays won’t be the only team bidding for his services. And with other teams having deeper prospects, they’ll need quite the pitch to secure the four-time All-Star.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB rumors: Will hometown Rays actually pursue Kyle Tucker thanks to new ownership?

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/rays-legend-joe-maddon-stumps-for-a-new-ballpark-in-tampa');   ga('set', 'title', 'Rays legend Joe Maddon stumps for a new ballpark in Tampa');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Joe-Maddon-added-his-voice-to-those-who-want-a-new-ballpark-for-Tampa-Bay-Rays-1.jpg"><figcaption> Ernst Peters/The Ledger</figcaption></figure><h1>Rays legend Joe Maddon stumps for a new ballpark in Tampa</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-11-07T09:39:44-08:00">November 7th, 9:39am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-11-07T09:39:44-08:00">November 7th, 9:39am</time><address><a>Steve Silverman</a>Steve Silverman has been covering the NFL for more than 35 years, and his writing has appeared in ESPN Magazine, Bleacher Report, CBS Sports, Pro Football Weekly, and Forbes.com. He has written 10 books, including "Who's Better, Who's Best in the NFL." He has won multiple awards from the Pro Football Writers of America.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Tampa Bay Rays have had anything but an ideal home stadium situation for years. The situation reached a head last year when they were forced to play their home games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa because Hurricane Milton had ripped the roof of Tropicana Field.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">WATCH: "It's about time for a new ballpark."</p><p>Caught up with former <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rays?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rays</a> manager Joe Maddon this afternoon. </p><p>He is excited for the Rays new ownership group to find a new home. <a href="https://t.co/tnePSkSbFQ">pic.twitter.com/tnePSkSbFQ</a></p><p>— Mark Skol, Jr. (@markskoljrTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/markskoljrTV/status/1986528726264275008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Steinbrenner Field is normally the spring training home of the New York Yankees. There was no way<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/rays-news-tampa-bay-option-decisions-taylor-walls-brandon-lowe"> the Rays</a> or the city of St. Petersburg could have repaired The Trop in time for the Rays to return for the 2025 season. The Rays will return to Tropicana Field in 2026, but that is not a long-term solution either.</p><p>Tropicana Field has been rated as one of the worst home fields in all of Major League Baseball. Rays games are often sparsely attended even though the team has been a consistent contender in the American League East for nearly two decades. Former Rays manager Joe Maddon is among those who has raised his voice to the issue and wants to see the Rays in a new and better home.</p><p>“It’s time for a new ballpark,” <a href="https://twitter.com/markskoljrTV/status/1986528726264275008">Maddon said</a>, per Fox Sports. “The city of Tampa deserves it, the team deserves it and the fans deserve it. The Trop served its’s purpose. It was air conditioned and covered, and you couldn’t get rained on. It was home-court advantage. The people deserve something that that’s modern, something that rivals the ball parks around Major League Baseball. It doesn’t have to be huge.”</p><h2><b>Rays hope to return to contender status in 2026</b></h2><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/new-york-mets/mets-rumors-new-york-yandy-diaz-trade-rays-deadline">The Rays endured</a> a rare losing season in 2025. They did not have the homefield advantage at Steinbrenner Field that they had enjoyed in previous seasons at The Trop.</p><p>While the Rays finished in fourth place in the American League East with a 77-85 record, they have key players in Yandy Diaz, Brandon Lowe and Junior Caminero who are capable of helping the team return to a highly competitive position in the American League East.</p><p> </p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2025 SEASON STATS
IP	ERA	K	WHIP	WINS
12	0.00	4	0.75	1

2025 SEASON STATS
IP	ERA	K	WHIP	WINS
12	0.00	4	0.75	1

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