With spring training scheduled to start on time four weeks from Thursday — among pandemic protocols and potentially subject to change — the Rays are still looking to make further additions to their roster.
Most pressing is adding another experienced pitcher to handle starter and/or bulk-inning duties, as they missed out on signing Corey Kluber in their bid to replace Charlie Morton and Blake Snell. A left-handed reliever also seems likely, given the limited options they have, as well as overall depth, including at catcher.
The Rays also have one too many outfielders. Unless a trade of Kevin Kiermaier presents itself — which seems unlikely — they probably will go to camp that way, knowing injuries and other options can surface during those six weeks.
Also worth noting is that while the 40-man roster is full, the Rays can open spots once camp starts by shifting at least three of their injured pitchers (Jalen Beeks, Yonny Chirinos and Colin Poche) to the 60-day injured list. That would allow them to make additions, via free agency or trades, without having to drop any players.
They also can use that strategy as a lure to sign established big-leaguers to minor-league contracts with the promise of being added to the 40-man roster if they get through camp healthy.
Here is a look at the current 40-man roster, the players signed to minor-league deals and others invited to camp, with players added this offseason in italics:
40-man roster
Pitchers (21)
Nick Anderson, rhp
Jalen Beeks, lhp
Diego Castillo, rhp
Yonny Chirinos, rhp
John Curtiss, rhp
Pete Fairbanks, rhp
Josh Fleming, lhp
Tyler Glasnow, rhp
Brent Honeywell, rhp
Shane McClanahan, lhp
Brendan McKay, lhp
Luis Patino, rhp
Colin Poche, lhp
Cody Reed, lhp
Trevor Richards, rhp
Ryan Sherriff, lhp
Aaron Slegers, rhp
Drew Stotman, rhp
Ryan Thompson, rhp
Michael Wacha, rhp
Ryan Yarbrough, lhp
Quick take: Glasnow, Yarbrough and Wacha are set in the rotation. Pending an addition, Fleming, McClanahan, Patino (acquired from San Diego in the Blake Snell trade) and Honeywell (if healthy) will compete to join them, either as starters or pitching behind openers. Beeks, Chirinos and Poche will miss most and maybe all of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. McKay is likely to miss at least the first couple months after undergoing shoulder surgery. Anderson, Castillo and Fairbanks are the key pieces in the bullpen, with Reed and Sherriff the left-handed options. Curtiss and Thompson emerged in 2020, and there are several other candidates for the remaining spots based on the needs for multi- or one-inning options.
Catchers (3)
Ronaldo Hernandez
Francisco Mejia
Mike Zunino
Quick take: The likely duo is Zunino, who was re-signed after a down 2020, and Mejia, acquired in trade from San Diego. Mejia does have a minor-league option remaining, so another addition is possible. Kevan Smith, who returned on a minor-league deal, also could factor in.
Infielders (9)
Willy Adames
Mike Brosseau
Vidal Brujan
Ji-Man Choi
Yandy Diaz
Brandon Lowe
Kevin Padlo
Taylor Walls
Joey Wendle
Quick take: The group seems pretty much set, with Choi at first, Lowe at second, Adames at short and likely some combination of Wendle and Diaz at third. Wendle, who evolved from utility man to starter late in 2020, is also the backup at shortstop, so there will be some shuffling at times. Brosseau offers versatility and could be the right-handed option they need at first base at times.
Outfielders (7)
Randy Arozarena
Kevin Kiermaier
Josh Lowe
Manuel Margot
Austin Meadows
Brett Phillips
Yoshi Tsutsugo
Quick take: After Arozarena’s record-setting emergence in the playoffs, the Rays have one too many outfielders with Kiermaier, Margot, Meadows, Phillips and Tsutsugo. If they don’t make a trade or lose someone to injury, there may be a squeeze on playing time, though there will be designated hitter at-bats, and Tsutsugo offers some versatility in playing third and potentially first.
Non-roster invitees
Pitchers (7)
Chris Ellis, rhp
Dietrich Enns, lhp
David Hess, rhp
Andrew Kittredge, rhp
Kenny Rosenberg, lhp
Phoenix Sanders, rhp
Tyler Zombro, rhp
Catchers (2)
Joseph Odom
Kevan Smith