The Rays have shown reported interest in free-agent utility player Josh Harrison.

The Tampa Bay Rays are one of five teams that have reported interest in utility player Josh Harrison, tweeted Jon Heyman (Fancred) on Saturday.

The Dodgers, Giants, Angels, and Phillies are also said to be in on the versatile defender.

The 31-year-old Harrison is coming off a below-average season with Pittsburgh, which declined his $10.5-million club option in favor of a $1-million buyout. Yet Harrison has typically been a good offensive player and a solid defender over the span of his career.

Harrison is a .277 BA/.317 OBP/.408 SLG/.725 OPS.98 wRC+ hitter across 3,012 plate appearance. Harrison broke out with a 4.8 fWAR campaign four seasons ago, however, he has averaged a 1.3 fWAR over the past four seasons. Harrison slashed .250 BA/.293 OBP/.363 SLG/.656 OPS with 8 home runs over 374 plate appearances, performing to a 0.3 fWAR in 2018.

The utility player has spent time at second, third and in the corner outfield, although the vast majority of his playing time last season came on the right side of the infield.

While it is uncertain how Harrison could fit into the mix, it is thought he could offer the Rays further protection behind infielders Joey Wendle, Matt Duffy Willy Adames, Joey Wendle, Daniel Robertson, Christian Arroyo, Brandon Lowe, and Yandy Diaz, as well as corner outfielders Tommy Pham, Avisail Garcia, and Austin Meadows. It isn’t known whether he can learn first base for the purpose of platooning the position with Ji-Man Choi.

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