The Tampa Bay Rays will enter the offseason needing bullpen depth and more offensive power after losing to the Milwaukee Brewers in five games in the World Series. Tampa Bay won an American League-best 98 games during the regular season but fell short in its attempt to win the first championship in franchise history. The defeat exposed roster questions that extend beyond the club’s performance in October.
The World Series highlighted weaknesses in the bullpen, particularly from the left side, and at the bottom and middle of the lineup. Tampa Bay is expected to prioritize relief help and an additional bat as it evaluates how to build on its 2026 season. The Rays also must decide how much to rely on internal options while several important players approach free agency.
Free agents shape the offseason
Right-handers Freddy Peralta and Nick Martinez, along with center fielder Cedric Mullins, are Tampa Bay’s key free agents. Martinez has a $20 million mutual option, while Mullins has a $10 million mutual option. Those decisions will help determine how much of the roster remains intact.
The source analysis predicted that Martinez could decline his option to pursue a multiyear contract and that Tampa Bay could lose Peralta in free agency. Either departure would create another challenge for a team already seeking to reinforce its pitching staff. The Rays will have to balance those potential losses against their internal pitching options.
Ryan Pepiot could return to the rotation after missing the entire season following hip surgery. Tampa Bay also made its World Series run without Shane McClanahan. Ian Seymour could be part of the rotation after pitching there during the second half of the season before moving to the bullpen in the postseason.
Relief pitching is a clear need
Tampa Bay’s regular-season bullpen results show why the organization is expected to seek more help. The Rays ranked 14th in bullpen ERA and 17th in bullpen strikeout rate during the regular season. Those figures leave room for improvement even after Tampa Bay avoided losing a game in which it led entering the ninth inning during the regular season.
Bryan Baker was identified as a key part of that success, but the analysis questioned whether his performance could be repeated in 2027. Tampa Bay therefore needs more dependable relief depth, with particular attention to the left side of the bullpen. Additional power arms would help the Rays try to contend again after the World Series loss to Milwaukee.
Rays need more offensive impact
The lineup also faces decisions at several positions. Liam Hicks is expected to help after being available for the entire season, while Victor Mesa Jr. may have done enough to warrant a regular job in right field. That leaves center field or second base as the most likely areas for an offensive upgrade.
Tampa Bay led the league with a .283 batting average with runners in scoring position, but the Rays ranked 25th in OPS against left-handed pitching. The team emphasizes defense, yet the analysis identified power concerns in left field with Chandler Simpson and at shortstop with Taylor Walls. Those limitations increase the need for another middle-of-the-order bat.
The World Series exposed those concerns when Chandler Simpson hit third and Ben Williamson hit fifth. Tampa Bay’s contact-oriented approach helped produce a strong regular season, but the Rays need more offensive force to turn another deep postseason run into a championship. The lineup’s construction will be one of the central questions of the offseason.
Could Theo Gillen arrive in center field?
The Rays have a potential internal option in Theo Gillen. After excelling in Class A, Gillen hit .288/.390/.504 in 59 games in Double-A. He is entering his age-21 season and could be ready to take over in center field during the second half.
Gillen’s potential arrival could affect how aggressively Tampa Bay pursues a center fielder. The Rays could seek a short-term solution while waiting for him, or they could focus resources on second base and the middle of the lineup. Regardless, bullpen help and an additional bat remain the identified offseason priorities.
How much did Tampa Bay overachieve?
The Rays’ 98 victories were an impressive result, but several underlying indicators suggest the roster was not as dominant as its record. Tampa Bay’s run differential suggested a 90-72 record, while its BaseRuns record suggested an 89-73 team. Those measures provide context for the gap between the club’s actual record and its projected performance.
The league-leading .283 average with runners in scoring position also may be difficult to repeat. Tampa Bay’s bullpen questions and struggles against left-handed pitching add to the need for roster improvement. The Rays cannot assume that replicating the same formula will produce another 98-win season.
Possible decisions involving core players
Tampa Bay could face broader roster choices because several important players are approaching free agency. Drew Rasmussen, Shane McClanahan and Griffin Jax are projected to enter the final season before free agency, while Pepiot is under team control for two more years. Diaz and Taylor Walls are also projected to enter the final season before free agency.
The analysis suggested that the Rays might not want to carry a roster with five key players approaching free agency. A trade involving McClanahan or Diaz for ready-for-the-majors pitching help was identified as a possibility, while a move involving Rasmussen was considered less likely. Those decisions would represent a larger restructuring than simply adding bullpen depth and another hitter.
FSB Take
Tampa Bay’s 98-win season established a strong starting point, but the World Series loss identified specific areas that require attention. The Rays need more left-side bullpen depth and a middle-of-the-order bat while determining whether Gillen can eventually address center field. The most consequential choice will be whether to make targeted additions around the current core or use the approaching free-agency decisions to pursue ready-for-the-majors pitching help.
Source: Original report