It can’t be said that Decker excelled in his brief time with Tampa Bay, slashing .154 BA/.211 OBP/.173 SLG/.384 OPS in 57 plate appearances. Marks returned to the Majors for the first time since 2014, hurling nine innings for the Rays while allowing just one run. However, the 28-year-old southpaw surrendered seven hits and walked nine against just six strikeouts in that time (1.5 BB/5). Querecuto made his big league debut in 2016, collecting just one hit (a triple) in 11 plate appearances at the end of the season.
That leaves 36 players on the 40-man roster for the time being. Both Decker and Eveland have elected for free agency.
As for the early salary arbitration projections, according to MLB Trade Rumors, the number in parentheses next to each player is his estimated Major League service time (Years.Days) through 2016 (172 days constitutes a full year of Major League service, per the collective bargaining agreement). Marked in italics are the three players who may qualify for Super 2 status, allowing players to enter salary arbitration a year early.
Rays – 13 players
- Alex Cobb (5.061) – $4.0MM
- Bobby Wilson (5.057) – $1.1MM
- Drew Smyly (4.154) – $6.9MM
- Dana Eveland (4.145) – $900K
- Erasmo Ramirez (3.158) – $3.5MM
- Brad Boxberger (3.109) – $1.5MM
- Corey Dickerson (3.101) – $3.4MM
- Brad Miller (3.094) – $3.8MM
- Xavier Cedeno (3.060) – $1.2MM
- Jake Odorizzi (3.042) – $4.6MM
- Danny Farquhar (2.168) – $1.1MM
- Kevin Kiermaier (2.131) – $2.1MM
- Chase Whitley (2.125) – $900K
It should also be noted, Wilson is a non-tender candidate.
Even though he’s the longest tenured Ray on the list, Alex Cobb isn’t expected to get much of a raise after missing the better part of the last two seasons. However, Drew Smyly could be due for a significant pay raise in 2017, making him the early trade front runner going into the offseason.
As it relates to Super 2 eligibility, Danny Russell (DRaysBay) wrote about how this designation could effect a certain player on the Rays roster…one Kevin Kiermaier:
Kiermaier has emerged has not only the best defender in baseball, but possibly the most important player on the team, given his cumulative contributions in center field (solidifying an otherwise average outfield defense), while contributing at the most important spot in the batting order.
To finish the season, Kiermaier contributed a 119 wRC+ from the No. 2 spot in the line up over 222 plate appearances, and looks to expand upon that role next season.
We will have to monitor how the Rays approach his contract moving forward, with a long-term deal with the very deserving platinum glove center fielder more appealing to the team than ever.