The Tampa Bay Rays had more players arbitration-eligible heading into the offseason than any team in baseball, with 17. One of those players whom they had to make a decision about was shortstop Taylor Walls, who had a unique situation.
The Rays held a team option on the defensive standout worth $2.45 million. With his arbitration projection at only $2 million, there were several people wondering whether the team would decline its club option to save some money.
Given how Tampa Bay has operated in the past, that was a fair assumption to make. Alas, they have decided against that. Instead, Walls will not only be locked in for 2026, but will have another option year tacked onto his contract.
Rays keeping Taylor Walls, adding another team option to contract