Rays Interested in Zack Littell to Add Bullpen Depth

The Tampa Bay Rays are dipping back into a familiar well, exploring a reunion with right-hander Zack Littell. They’re hoping he can help stabilize a rotation that’s full of question marks.

After turning Littell from a fringe reliever into a sturdy workhorse starter in 2023, Tampa Bay now looks ready to bring him back as a key piece of their 2026 pitching plans—if they can make the finances work.

Rays Look to Reunite With a Proven Arm

The Rays’ interest in Littell runs deeper than radar-gun sizzle. They want reliable, repeatable innings, not just flashy stuff.

In a world where openers and bulk guys rule, Tampa Bay doesn’t often land a starter who can take the ball every fifth day and eat up close to 190 innings. Littell became that guy in St. Petersburg, and the front office remembers.

Zack Littell’s Transformation in Tampa Bay

Littell’s first stint with the Rays started quietly in May 2023, when they grabbed him off waivers from the Red Sox. What happened next was classic Rays magic.

They moved him from the bullpen into the rotation, changed how he pitched, and unlocked a level of consistency he’d never shown before. Over his time with Tampa Bay, Littell threw 376 2/3 innings with a 3.68 ERA, mixing a modest 19.39% strikeout rate with an elite 3.92% walk rate.

That combo shows why he’s so valuable: command, efficiency, and durability. Littell didn’t overpower hitters, but he lived in the strike zone, limited walks, and gave his team a shot almost every time out.

Sure, there were blemishes—home run issues and a less-than-dominant strikeout profile. Still, in a league desperate for dependable innings, Littell’s ability to take the ball and go deep became his calling card.

A Key Piece in Cincinnati’s Playoff Push

When the Rays faded in 2025, they dealt Littell to the Cincinnati Reds. Even away from Tampa Bay’s pitching-friendly environment, he stayed solid.

With the Reds, Littell posted a 4.39 ERA in 53 1/3 innings and helped stabilize a young, unpredictable staff. He contributed to a playoff push and racked up 186 2/3 innings that season.

Only ten pitchers in all of Major League Baseball threw more innings in 2025. His biggest strength is simply being available.

Rays Rotation: High Ceiling, High Risk

The Rays’ rotation heading into 2026 is a wild mix of upside and uncertainty. That’s why they’re eyeing someone like Littell.

Right now, their staff is built around arms with health concerns, limited track records, or both.

Why the Rays Need Stability Behind Their Front-End Arms

At the top, the Rays lean on Drew Rasmussen and Ryan Pepiot. Both have talent, but neither is a lock for 180+ innings.

Behind them, things get murkier:

All those questions make Littell extra appealing. He doesn’t need to be a No. 1. The Rays just need him to be what he’s already shown: a durable, mid-rotation innings-eater with elite control and enough stuff to get through six competitive frames most nights.

Free-Agent Market, Price Tag, and Payroll Puzzle

On the open market, Littell has finally earned attention beyond Tampa Bay’s front office. His durability and track record have put him in the middle tier of this winter’s pitching class.

MLB Trade Rumors ranks him as the No. 35 free agent this offseason, projecting a contract around two years and $24 million. Given his workload and recent results, a three-year deal isn’t out of the question, especially for teams desperate for stability.

Comparing Littell to Other Pitching Targets

For the Rays, it’s not just about performance—it’s about price. Littell will likely cost more than other depth options like Zach Eflin and Adrian Houser.

Those pitchers might come cheaper, but they don’t bring Littell’s blend of reliability and recent innings. Tampa Bay’s tight payroll makes things tricky.

To fit a Littell contract into their budget, the Rays might need to move salary elsewhere. That could mean trading from areas of depth or letting go of arbitration-eligible players to free up space.

What a Littell Reunion Would Mean for 2026

If the Rays manage to bring Zack Littell back to St. Petersburg, they’re not really swinging for the fences—they’re just trying to lock in something solid. He’d settle in as a steady mid-rotation anchor, shielding the younger pitchers and buying time for McClanahan to get back to full strength.

Littell offers something rare in Tampa Bay: every fifth day, he grabs the ball, pounds the zone, and gives the Rays a real shot at getting through nine innings. For a team trying to balance winning with tight budgets, that kind of dependability might be exactly what they’re after.

 
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