The Tampa Bay Rays deserve credit for the shrewd way they remain competitive in the spendthrift and star-studded American League East Division.
They don’t throw dollars at free agents. They toss veterans to other teams and collect gaggles of prospects in return.
Yes, you have to give it to the Rays – which is exactly what other teams are doing once again this winter. On Friday, December 19, the Rays added:
HOUSTON: Rookie Jacob Melton of the Houston Astros scores a run against the New York Yankees at Daikin Park on Sept. 3, 2025. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
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The focus here is not on what the Rays gave up but on how they continually play for the future. All six players acquired are highly regarded. MLB Pipeline immediately ranked each among Tampa Bay’s top prospects at Nos. 4 (Melton), 6 (Brito), 7 (Forret), 8 (du Brun), 13 (Bodine) and 22 (Overn).
“Today’s deals were, I think, more about losing a little bit in ’26 to gain an awful lot as we look into the future,” Erik Neander, the Rays’ president of operations told Adam Berry of MLB.com.
“As we’ve done virtually every year since 2008, we’ve given our teams a chance to be competitive and, if things break our way, we’re playing in the postseason.
“We just can’t do it while turning a blind eye to our future if we feel like we can do some things that make it all the more likely that we can position ourselves to make five consecutive playoff appearances, like we did from ’19 to ’23.”
A new ownership group and refurbished ballpark add to the excitement entering the 2026 season.
Plenty Of Playoffs
Since going to the post-season (and World Series) for the first time in 2008, the formerly forlorn franchise has made the playoffs nine times in 18 years. That’s better than all but four franchises over that span. Here’s the track record of each team making the post-season since 2008:
2, Miami Marlins, Seattle Mariners.3, Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Pittsburgh Pirates.4, New York Mets, San Diego Padres.5, Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Washington Nationals.6, Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays. 7, Chicago Cubs.8, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Guardians, Philadelphia Phillies.9, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Rays.10, Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals.13, New York Yankees.15, Los Angeles Dodgers
ARLINGTON, TX: Randy Arozarena of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Four of the 2020 MLB World Series at Globe Life Field on Oct. 24, 2020. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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The Rays have done it at a fraction of the cost in salaries doled out by AL East heavyweights in New York, Boston and Toronto. Now, the Baltimore Orioles’ payroll has jumped with the signing of slugger Pete Alonso for $155 million over five years.
According to Cot’s Baseball Contracts, the Rays’ highest payroll ranking was 24th in 2024 following a 99-63 record and Tampa Bay’s last playoff club in 2023. When Tampa Bay made the World Series in 2008 and 2020, its’ payroll ranked 28th each time.
December 19 Deals
Wheeling and dealing on December 19 can work out well.
Toronto signed free agent outfielder Dave Winfield on Dec. 19, 1991. The future Hall of Famer helped the Blue Jays win the 1992 World Series.
On Dec. 19, 2010, the Kansas City Royals helped build a World Series winner by making a Rays-like trade. They sent Cy Young winner Zack Greinke and infielder Yuniesky Betancourt to Milwaukee for prospects Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain, Jake Odorizzi and Jeremy Jeffress. Odorizzi was dealt to the Rays in 2012 in a six-player swap that sent closer Wade Davis to the Royals.
Escobar, Cain and Davis were keys to Kansas City going to the World Series in 2014 and 2015, winning the second time.
A Cleveland Connection
The Rays and Cleveland Guardians are annually successful despite low payrolls. They have similar organizational structure. The Rays currently have two key players by way of Cleveland, young slugger Junior Caminero and veteran Yandy Diaz.
On Nov. 19, 2021, they sent right-hander Tobias Myers, a 23-year-old prospect, to Cleveland for Caminero, 18.
Myers later went to the Giants and White Sox before finally getting to the majors with Milwaukee in 2024. He has compiled a 10-8 record and 3.15 ERA overall the past two seasons for the Brewers.
ATLANTA: Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays bats during the 2025 T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Truist Park on July 14, 2025. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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Caminero had hit .295 at age 17 in the Dominican Summer League but made 13 errors in 43 games before the deal. He averaged .307 in the minors and blossomed into an MLB star this year at age 21, belting 45 homers with 110 RBI for the Rays. He had 18 errors in 145 games at third base.
Diaz had a similar profile in the Cleveland farm system when dealt to the Rays in a three-team blockbuster involving five players on Dec. 13, 2018.
Diaz has hit .291 with 99 homers in 816 games for the Rays, winning the 2023 AL batting title with a .330 average. He’s been a league-average defender at first base and third.
Tampa Bay Rays’ Prospects
If half of the six prospects acquired on Dec. 19 become steady regulars, the Rays will have done well. All six really have the talent to succeed.
Melton, 25, is ranked highest due to his fine speed, defense and power potential. He has been erratic at bat, solid in the field. If he makes better contact, he can be a steady mid-lineup performer.
Brito, 21, has a great arsenal of pitches including a 99-mph fastball. There’s concern about him wearing down as a starter. If so, his stuff could be exemplary in relief.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ: Anderson Brito of the Scottsdale Scorpions in an Arizona Fall League game against the Salt River Rafters at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Oct. 31, 2025. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)
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Forret, 21, throws strikes with five pitches. The 6-foot-3 pitcher needs work on replicating his delivery while maybe adding a little oomph to a mid-90s fastball. The basics are already in place.
Outfielder du Brun, 18, is a speedy defender. At 5-foot-10, he’s geared to be a top-of-the-lineup guy. Drafted No. 37 overall out of high school, he has yet to make his pro debut.
Bodine, 22, is a solid hitter from both sides, now a catcher likely destined to play first base or DH. His bat will decide his future.
Overn, 22, is another speedy outfielder similar to du Brun and Chandler Simpson, who had 44 stolen bases as a Rays rookie in 2025. A year ago, Simpson stole 104 in the minors. A prospective outfield of Simpson, Overn and du Brun could be incredible defensively and cause absolute havoc on the basepaths.
Two more top prospects were acquired from the Seattle Mariners at the 2024 trading deadline for star outfielder Randy Arozarena. In return the Rays got right-hander Brody Hopkins, now their third-ranked prospect, and outfielder Aidan Smith, ranked No. 10.
Tampa Bay Rays prospects have made the organization’s patient, analytical approach successful. These recent additions may even speed up their future fortunes.