Several players, notably Cuban-born Mexican outfielder Randy Arozarena and injured Shane McClanahan, have signed contracts with the Tampa Bay Rays, avoiding salary arbitration.
Arozarena, who made $4.15 million last season, will be paid $8.1 million in 2024 following an excellent year as an American League All-Star. His 2023 stats include a.254 batting average, 23 home runs, 83 RBIs, and 22 steals.
Despite having his second Tommy John surgery in August 2023 and not expecting to return until 2025, McClanahan signed a two-year contract worth $7.2 million, with a salary of $3.6 million per year. In his previous season, McClanahan had an 11-2 record and a 3.29 ERA in 21 starts.
The Rays still have two players scheduled for hearings next month: right-handed pitcher Jason Adam and designated hitter/outfielder Harold Ramirez. Last year, Tampa Bay had four hearings, winning against left-hander Colin Poche and right-hander Ryan Thompson while losing to Ramirez and Poche.
Adam, a right-handed reliever, is seeking $3.25 million, while the Rays have countered at $2.7 million. Ramirez, who won his arbitration case in 2023 with a $2.2 million payout, requested $4.3 million, while Tampa Bay offered $3.8 million.
Tampa Bay also added Japanese right-hander Naoyuki Uwasawa, who signed a minor league deal and was invited to major league spring training. Uwasawa had a 9-9 record and a 2.96 ERA with Nippon Ham the previous season.
Right-handers Aaron Civale, Shawn Armstrong, Zack Littell, Drew Rasmussen (who will start the season on the injured list after elbow surgery), Colin Poche, and Mexican infielder Isaac Paredes all signed one-year contracts. Civale earned $4.9 million, Armstrong $2.05 million, Littell $1.85 million, Rasmussen $1,865,000, Poche $2,375,000, and Paredes $3.4 million.
As the baseball world watches, Wander Franco’s fate remains unknown. Will he come out of this unscathed, ready to regain his proper place on the field, or will the storm prove too powerful, leaving behind a broken dream and a cautionary story for future generations? Only time will tell as Wander Franco’s story unfolds, reminding us of the complexity that lay under the surface of America’s favorite activity.
