Rays Second Base Options: Who Fits Tampa Bay’s Infield Plans?

The Tampa Bay Rays have reshaped their roster this offseason with a flurry of moves. The infield, especially second base, now feels unsettled.

After dealing key contributors and making selective additions, the organization faces a familiar Tampa Bay challenge. They need to find value and versatility on a budget while juggling development, defense, and durability.

Trades Reshape the Rays’ Infield Landscape

The Rays signaled a significant shift by trading Shane Baz to the Baltimore Orioles and Brandon Lowe to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Lowe’s departure leaves a notable hole at second base, a position he manned for years when healthy.

These trades came right before the team signed veteran left-hander Steven Matz to a two-year deal. It seems Tampa Bay wants stability at the back end of the rotation more than spending big elsewhere.

Budget Constraints Drive the Strategy

Payroll realities shape the Rays’ decision-making, as usual. With resources going to pitching, the front office isn’t chasing expensive infield solutions, instead hunting for low-cost options through free agency, trades, or internal promotions.

Limited Upside in the Free-Agent Market

This year’s free-agent pool at second base doesn’t inspire much confidence. Bo Bichette technically headlines the class, but it’s clear he’s not a realistic target for Tampa Bay.

That leaves a group of more modest options who fit the Rays’ financial profile. The ceiling on these players is pretty limited, though.

Realistic Free-Agent Targets

Plausible fits include Willi Castro, Ramón Urías, and Luis Rengifo. Each offers some positional flexibility and experience but none clearly upgrades the lineup.

For a team chasing marginal gains instead of star power, these names stay on the radar. Still, none of them feels like the answer.

Trade Market: High Reward, High Cost

If the Rays want a true difference-maker, the trade market offers more upside—but at a steep price. Previous talks about Ketel Marte reportedly involved Baz and Ryan Pepiot, a cost Tampa Bay didn’t want to pay.

Those talks seem dead for now.

Long-Shot Infield Targets

Other intriguing names like Brendan Donovan, Jake Cronenworth, Nico Hoerner, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. have come up in speculation. All would require giving up premium talent.

With the Rays’ recent sell-offs, landing one of those guys feels almost impossible.

Internal Options Take Center Stage

Absent a splashy addition, Tampa Bay will probably look inward. Richie Palacios is the early favorite for second base.

Acquired from St. Louis, Palacios has always impressed with his plate discipline and contact ability.

Durability Remains the Question

Still, Palacios’ availability is a concern. He’s dealt with a fractured finger and multiple right knee sprains, which led to a modest .223/.346/.318 slash line over 316 plate appearances with the Rays.

His .370 on-base percentage across five Triple-A seasons hints at untapped value—if he can stay healthy.

Defense-First Options Up the Middle

Taylor Walls remains a known quantity. His career .195/.286/.298 batting line over more than 1,500 plate appearances doesn’t offer much optimism offensively.

But his defensive reputation keeps him firmly in the mix.

Why Walls Sticks Around

Public metrics are divided on Walls’ glove, but Tampa Bay’s actions speak volumes. He’ll earn $2.45 million next season, with a $3.1 million team option for 2027.

The Rays keep betting on his reliability in the middle infield.

Shortstop Depth and Utility Concerns

The Rays waived Ha-Seong Kim and gave top prospect Carson Williams a brief audition at shortstop late in 2025. Williams flashed plus defense and power but struggled with strikeouts.

A return to Triple-A seems likely for him.

Where Things Stand Heading Into the Season

That scenario leaves Walls as the most logical opening-day shortstop. He can slide to second if Williams suddenly makes a strong case later.

Beyond that, utility depth looks thin. Jonathan Aranda isn’t really seen as a second-base option defensively anymore.

Chandler Simpson brings speed first and foremost. The Rays might experiment with him in the infield, but his defense hasn’t exactly wowed anyone yet.

 
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