After the Tampa Bay Rays went through a World Series defeat to the Milwaukee Brewers in five games, the team is looking to carry the momentum into the offseason and boost the team. As Rays executive Erik Neander looks to bolster the team this offseason, these MLB insiders detail what the ball club could do in the winter.

With Tampa Bay looking to reach the next step in winning the World Series, league insiders Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon mention how there are factors that could lead to an increase in their “payroll flexibility.” The two varaibles being that the team is under new ownership and that they're coming off winning the American League, though a “spending spree remains unlikely,” the team will continue to find “creative” ways to improve.

One of the ways is trading Jonny DeLuca so that the team could “open center field” for Victor Mesa Jr., as the 25-year-old has shown major promise, hitting 14 home runs and 34 RBIs with a .260 batting average. As DeLuca has three more years of control, he was “rated above average in center last season” to go along with 11 home runs and 17 stolen bases.

More trades that the Rays can do this offseason

Another avenue that Rosenthal and Sammon mentioned is that the Rays trade 29-year-old pitcher Shane McClanahan, who's been with the team since 2021. Another option to deal is Ryan Pepiot, who has two more years of club control.

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Both pitchers had been dealing with injuries, as McClanahan suffered from forearm tightness, missing the last month of the regular season, while Pepiot didn't record an inning in 2026 with season-ending hip surgery last May. If there's one thing for certain, the two insiders say that there is a “willingness” to keep Drew Rasmussen, who recorded a 2.67 ERA with 174 strikeouts and a 16-5 record.

With the possibility of extending Rasmussen, trading one of McLanahan or Peipot would give the team more payroll flexibility, with the chance to reunite with free agents Freddy Peralta or Nick Martinez. At any rate, it remains to be seen what Tampa Bay does in a pivotal offseason for them