Rays Have Been Surprisingly Consistent Compared to Their MLB Peers
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The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off a disappointing 2025 campaign in which they won only 77 games.
However, when taking a look at the team, they aren’t very far off from returning to playoff contention. There are a lot of great building blocks on the roster, such as third baseman Junior Caminero, first baseman Jonathan Aranda, starting pitchers Shane McClanahan, Ryan Pepiot and Drew Rasmussen and a plethora of high-upside relief pitchers.
Manager Kevin Cash has shown an ability to make the most out of the roster given to him, even if it lacks household names. He is going to have to create some magic again in 2026, especially if there isn’t more talent added to the team.
A few holes remain on the team. Second base is a newly created hole with Brandon Lowe being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of a three-team deal that also included the Houston Astros. In that deal, a long-term answer in the outfield was acquired in Jacob Melton.
Rays have been incredibly consistent on the field
They could use help at catcher, as the lineup needs to add some punch overall. Another innings eater in the rotation would help after Shane Baz was traded to the Baltimore Orioles and Adrian Houser signed a free agent deal with the San Francisco Giants.
People are going to be counting the Rays out heading into the 2026 campaign, unless some major changes occur with the roster. Alas, they should not be counted out after proving to be one of the most consistent teams in baseball over the last five years.
As shared by SleeperMLB on X, despite having a losing record in 2025, Tampa Bay has been one of the most successful teams in baseball over the last five years. Their 442 wins are the eighth most, with only the Houston Astros (466), New York Yankees (461) and Seattle Mariners (443) being the only American League teams that have recorded more.
Most wins by an MLB team in the last 5 years:
— SleeperMLB (@SleeperMLB) January 7, 2026
508 - Los Angeles Dodgers
466 - Houston Astros
463 - Milwaukee Brewers
461 - NY Yankees
458 - Atlanta Braves
450 - Philadelphia Phillies
443 - Seattle Mariners
442 - Tampa Bay Rays
440 - Toronto Blue Jays
433 - San Diego Padres pic.twitter.com/MdvHWiWlLj
That feat is all the more impressive when taking into account that they have finished under the .500 mark in two consecutive campaigns. This current drought snapped a five-year streak of advancing to the postseason.
While the Rays have proven they should not be counted out from competing, their odds of making the postseason are likely long right now. They have seen the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays spend major money this offseason to upgrade their roster.
However, Tampa Bay has added more talent to its organization than the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have. Both contenders have been oddly quiet this offseason, which could create an opportunity for the Rays to take advantage of.
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Kenneth Teape is an alumnus of SUNY Old Westbury and graduated in 2013 with an Honors Degree in Media Communications with a focus on print journalism. During his time at Old Westbury, he worked for the school newspaper and several online publications, such as Knicks Now, the official website of the New York Knicks, and a self-made website with fellow students, Gotham City Sports News. Kenneth has also been a site expert at Empire Writes Back, Musket Fire, and Lake Show Life within the FanSided Network. He was a contributor to HoopsHabit, with work featured on Bleacher Report and Yardbarker. Previously, he is a reporter for both NBA Analysis Network and NFL Analysis Network, as well as a writer and editor for Packers Coverage. You can follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @teapester725, or reach him via email at teapester725@gmail.com.