Rays Target Catcher Upgrades, Previously Pursued J.T. Realmuto

The Tampa Bay Rays went into the offseason with a problem that’s become all too familiar: their catching position just hasn’t kept up with the rest of the roster. For a brief stretch, it looked like they might actually make a splash by chasing one of baseball’s best catchers.

That didn’t happen, but the Rays’ pursuit of J.T. Realmuto still said a lot about their priorities and the tightrope they walk with payroll. It also highlighted just how tough it is to land a top catcher in today’s market.

Rays Rarely Shop at the Top of the Free-Agent Market

The Rays have built their reputation on efficiency, player development, and tight budgets. So when news broke that they were eyeing J.T. Realmuto, plenty of folks around the league took notice.

Catcher has been a weak spot for Tampa Bay for a while, and Realmuto’s long stay in free agency made him a tempting—if unlikely—target. In the end, Realmuto chose to stick with Philadelphia on a three-year, $45 million contract, averaging $15 million per year.

MLB Trade Rumors guessed he’d get two years and $30 million, which honestly would’ve been easier for the Rays to handle. That extra third year, though, pushed things out of their usual range.

Payroll Reality Shapes Every Decision

The biggest free-agent deal in Rays history is still Zach Eflin’s three-year, $40 million contract. Adding Realmuto would’ve smashed that record and probably forced the team to cut costs somewhere else.

Even for a player as good as Realmuto, that’s a huge ask for a team that’s always watching the bottom line.

Winter Additions Came with a Cost-Conscious Plan

Instead of one big signing, the Rays spread their money around. They brought in Steven Matz, Cedric Mullins, and Jake Fraley for a combined $25 million and moved out some pricier players.

Now, their projected 2026 payroll sits close to last year’s $80 million. To squeeze Realmuto in, the Rays would’ve needed to trade a big contract away.

People tossed around Yandy Díaz’s name, but that was never a great fit. He’s too important to the lineup, and he’s only got one guaranteed year left anyway.

Why Yandy Díaz Was a Tough Sell

Díaz gets on base and brings stability to the heart of the order. The Rays rely on those qualities.

Trading him just to upgrade at catcher would’ve left another glaring hole and probably done more harm than good.

Current Catching Options: Fortes and Feduccia

With Realmuto out of the picture, Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said the team’s still open to catching upgrades. For now, though, they’re rolling with Nick Fortes and Hunter Feduccia behind the plate.

Fortes is known for his defense. Over 1,174 big-league plate appearances, he’s hit just .224/.280/.345, so offense isn’t really his thing.

Feduccia doesn’t have much MLB experience but has shown he can hit in Triple-A. At 28, he’s more about being steady than having untapped potential.

Stability vs. Upside Behind the Plate

The Rays care a lot about run prevention and game-calling. Still, in a division packed with big bats, you can’t just ignore catcher offense forever.

Fortes and Feduccia are steady, but they’re not game-changers.

Trade Market Now the Most Likely Path

With Realmuto re-signing and Victor Caratini heading to the Twins, the top two free-agent catchers vanished fast. That pretty much pushes Tampa Bay toward the trade market for any real upgrade.

Teams like the Royals, Cardinals, or Pirates have some catching depth, so maybe there’s a fit there. Honestly, league-wide options look pretty thin right now.

The Rays always weigh things like cost, years of control, and defensive value before they pull the trigger. That’s just how they do business.

Will patience pay off again? Maybe. Tampa Bay seems determined to figure something out behind the plate, but they’re not about to blow up the system that’s kept them in the mix for years.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Rays Looking To Trade For Catchers, Had Interest In J.T. Realmuto