With the offseason continuing on for the Tampa Bay Rays, the team is still being worked on for 2026. More than likely, the current roster won’t be the one the franchise has on Opening Day, but it is starting to take shape.
Coming into the winter, the Rays were a team that jumped out of the gate as one looking to improve this offseason. Tampa Bay might not carry a large payroll, but they are generally a competitive team. Unfortunately, the last two seasons, they have been unable to reach the playoffs.
The American League East is one of the most challenging divisions in baseball, and the Rays have had a little bit of a hard time keeping up the last couple of years. Hopefully, the young talent on the team will continue to develop, and they can add another free agent or two in key areas. With that being said, the roster is starting to take shape, and the needs for the team are pretty straightforward.
Adam Berry of MLB recently predicted what the Opening Day roster might look like for the Rays. Despite getting a lot of playing time with the Houston Astros in 2025 and being a key piece in the Brandon Lowe trade, outfielder Jacob Melton is not expected to be on the roster to begin the campaign.
Outfield Has Plenty of Depth