On Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Rays stayed busy adding another infielder to the mix. The Rays and Amed Rosario agreed on a one-year deal worth $1.5 million, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. At a position that was filled with uncertainty, the Rays now have a veteran presence they can rely on.
As Rosario begins his Rays career, he will look to put the 2023 campaign in the rearview mirror. He got off to a solid start, recording a .265 batting average in 94 games for the Guardians. He was then dealt to the Dodgers at the trade deadline in the Noah Syndergaard trade.
However, his time in LA did not go as planned. In August, he hit .197 before his bat came alive. In the final month of the season, the 28-year-old posted a .306 batting average. However, that was not enough to impress the Dodgers, as he was left off the playoff roster.
In Rosario, the Rays are getting a player who loves to put the ball in play. He can also make an impact with his speed. He has stolen 96 bases in his career. However, he has struggled to barrel up pitches, which has limited his effectiveness at the plate.
While the expectations will be high for Rosario, he will not be the only new face in the Rays infield. Over the last few months, the Rays have also brought in Jose Caballero and Yu Chang. Their infield options include Isaac Paredes, Yandy Diaz, Brandon Lowe, Jonathan Aranda and Curtis Mead.
Although that group is filled with players still looking to establish themselves, Rosario brings seven years of experience to the table. He could serve as a mentor to Mead and Aranda, who have had limited opportunities. It is also a low-risk deal for the Rays, who now have plenty of depth.
Regardless of how long his stint in Tampa lasts, Rosario could be a helpful piece. He is only one year removed from one of the best seasons of his career. During the 2022 campaign, he posted a .283 average in 153 games as the Guardian’s starting shortstop. The Dominican native also showed some power with 11 home runs.
Even though Rosario is not expected to be the starter, the Rays hope he rediscovers his 2022 form if used in the right situations. He has continued to be deadly against lefties. In a platoon role, he could be highly effective.
With opening day quickly approaching, their Rays roster most seems set. After their moves on Tuesday, the infield will be full with a solid mix of veterans and prospects looking to make their mark.
On a team with high expectations, Rosario fits in well. He also has postseason experience, which will be helpful to young players such as Mead. In eight games for the Guardians during their 2022 playoff run, he posted a .241 batting average while driving in two runs. Given the Rays recent track record, Rosario could get to add to those numbers in the near future.
