The Tampa Bay Rays have had a busy winter so far, and it appears that the team will be focusing on the future while hoping for some things to go right in 2026.
After missing the playoffs for the last two seasons, the Rays came into the winter hoping to make some improvements and get back to being a contender. Unfortunately, that is no easy task in the American League East. This winter, all of the other teams in the division made some significant upgrades, and Tampa Bay simply doesn’t have the payroll to keep up.
This winter, the team has tried to find the balance between being a contender and looking toward the future. However, while some of the moves that they have made in free agency will help for 2026, the trades following those signings were geared more toward the future. Fortunately, the Rays got good returns in the trades, and this is a very strong farm system.
Jim Callis of MLB recently released the Top 100 prospects for MLB Pipeline. Making the list for the Rays as the highest-ranked prospect was shortstop Carson Williams, coming in ranked 63rd.
Williams Still Highly Regarded