Former Cincinnati Reds Outfielder Signs Major League Deal With Rays

Jake Fraley, the former Cincinnati Reds outfielder, is heading back to where it all started for him. He’s signed a Major League contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.

This move comes after a whirlwind few weeks for the 30-year-old. Tampa Bay claimed him off waivers earlier this month, then designated him for assignment just days later.

Fraley’s return to the organization that drafted him feels like a full-circle moment. There’s something a little poetic about that, isn’t there?

Jake Fraley’s Journey Back to Tampa Bay

Fraley’s path in baseball has been anything but straightforward. The Rays picked him in the second round of the 2016 MLB Draft out of LSU, giving him his first shot at pro ball.

He started his career under Tampa Bay’s development system, then moved on to other teams. Fraley made his big-league debut with the Seattle Mariners in August 2019 — funny enough, it was against the Rays, the team that first took a chance on him.

From Seattle to Cincinnati

His time in Seattle didn’t last long. The Mariners traded him to the Cincinnati Reds in 2022 as part of the deal that sent Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suárez to Seattle.

Fraley’s first season in Cincinnati looked promising. Over four seasons, he put up numbers that showed his value as a versatile outfielder.

In 362 games with the Reds, he hit .260 with a .336 on-base percentage and a .421 slugging percentage. He racked up 94 extra-base hits and covered all three outfield spots.

The Diminishing Role in Cincinnati

Despite steady production, things shifted in Cincinnati. Noelvi Marte emerged and moved to right field, which cut into Fraley’s playing time.

Manager Terry Francona even mentioned that some roster decisions came down to talks with player agents. It’s a reminder that baseball lineups aren’t just about stats — there’s always something else going on behind the scenes.

Released in August

By August 2025, the Reds let Fraley go. The roster kept changing, and for a guy with several productive seasons, that had to sting.

Still, maybe that release was just the start of something new.

Full-Circle Return to Tampa Bay

Just weeks after leaving the Reds, Tampa Bay picked up Fraley on waivers, then designated him for assignment. But that wasn’t the end of it.

The Rays signed him to a Major League contract. Clearly, they still see something in the outfielder they drafted almost ten years ago.

For Fraley, it’s a shot to contribute to a team that knows how to get the most out of its players.

Why This Move Matters

This isn’t just a feel-good reunion. The Rays are getting a flexible, experienced outfielder who can fill several defensive roles.

For Fraley, it’s a chance to prove himself again in the majors after a rocky season. Maybe he’ll even extend his career with a franchise that gets what he brings to the table.

Some quick highlights from Fraley’s career:

• Drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016 from LSU
• Made MLB debut in 2019 with Seattle Mariners
• Traded to Cincinnati in 2022 as part of Jesse Winker/Eugenio Suárez deal
• Produced 94 extra-base hits over 362 games with the Reds
• Capable of playing all three outfield positions
• Signed Major League contract with Tampa Bay in 2025

Looking Ahead

As the Rays get ready for the new season, all eyes will be on Fraley’s role. He brings experience, defensive flexibility, and a steady bat—qualities Tampa Bay always seems to value.

Fraley’s journey has come full circle, and honestly, there’s some real curiosity about what comes next. Can he carve out a meaningful spot in a team built on depth and adaptability?

For Rays fans, seeing a familiar draft pick return is a nice touch. But it’s the hope for consistent production that really makes this interesting.

Now, Jake Fraley has a shot to show everyone that his big-league story—bouncing from Tampa to Seattle, then Cincinnati, and now back again—still has a few chapters left. That’s something worth keeping an eye on, isn’t it?

 
Here is the source article for this story: Former Cincinnati Reds Outfielder Signs Major League Deal With Rays