Randy Arozarena, Inking One-Year Contract With Rays
Salary arbitration was avoided by eight players, including Mexican outfielder Randy Arozarena, who was born in Cuba, and injured player Shane McClanahan, who signed deals with the Tampa Bay Rays.
After an excellent season as an American League All-Star, Randy Arozarena, who made $4.15 million last season, will get $8.1 million in 2024. 22 stolen bases, 83 RBIs, 23 home runs, and a.254 batting average are among his 2023 stats.
McClanahan signed a two-year, $7.2 million contract that will pay $3.6 million a year, even though he had his second Tommy John surgery in August 2023 and was not scheduled to return until 2025. A 3.29 ERA in 21 starts during the previous season showed off McClanahan’s abilities.
Harold Ramirez, an outfielder and designated hitter, and right-handed pitcher Jason Adam are the two remaining Rays players scheduled for hearings next month. After four hearings the previous year, Tampa Bay emerged victorious against right-hander Ryan Thompson and left-hander Colin Poche but was defeated by Ramirez and Poche.
The Rays have offered $2.7 million in response to Adam’s $3.25 million request for a right-handed bullpen. After winning his arbitration case in 2023 and receiving compensation of $2.2 million, Ramirez requested $4.3 million, and Tampa Bay made an offer of $3.8 million.
The Rays are adding players to their team
Right-hander Naoyuki Uwasawa, a Japanese national, was also added by Tampa Bay, who invited him to major league spring training in exchange for a minor league contract. With Nippon Ham the prior season, Uwasawa had a 9-9 record and a 2.96 ERA.
Furthermore, right-handers Aaron Civale, Shawn Armstrong, Zack Littell, Drew Rasmussen (who started the season on the injured list following elbow surgery), Colin Poche, and Mexican infielder Isaac Paredes all signed one-year contracts of their own. $4.9 million was obtained by Civale, $2.05 million by Armstrong, $1.85 million by Littell, $1,865,000 by Rasmussen, $2,375,000 by Poche, and $3.4 million by Paredes.
