Arozarena, McClanahan among 8 Rays to reach contracts. Adam and Ramírez again on track for hearings
Tampa Bay Rays' Randy Arozarena leads off from first base against the Baltimore Orioles during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sept. 15, 2023, in Baltimore. Arozarena and injured ace Shane McClanahan were among eight players who agreed to contracts with the Rays on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, and avoided arbitration. Credit: AP/Julio Cortez
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Slugging outfielder Randy Arozarena and injured ace Shane McClanahan were among eight players who agreed to contracts with the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday and avoided arbitration.
Right-hander Jason Adam and designated hitter/outfielder Harold Ramírez remained on track for hearings next month. Tampa Bay went to four hearings last year, beating left-hander Colin Poche and right-hander Ryan Thompson, and losing to Ramírez and Poche.
Adam is seeking $3.25 million, while the Rays countered at $2.7 million. The reliever made $1,775,000 last season.
Ramírez asked for $4.3 million, and Tampa Bay offered $3.8 million. He got $2.2 million in 2023 after winning his arbitration case.
Tampa Bay also signed Japanese right-hander Naoyuki Uwasawa to a minor league deal with an invitation to major league spring training next month. Uwasawa went 9-9 with a 2.96 ERA with Nippon Ham last season.
Arozarena, an AL All-Star last year, will get $8.1 million in 2024, up from $4.15 million last season. He hit .254 with 23 homers, 83 RBIs and 22 stolen bases.
McClanahan reached a $7.2 million, two-year deal that pays $3.6 million annually. He had his second Tommy John surgery on Aug. 21 and is not expected back until 2025. The left-hander went 11-2 with 3.29 ERA in 21 starts last season.
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan throws to a Baltimore Orioles batter during the first inning of a baseball game July 22, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. McClanahan and Randy Arozarena are among eight players who agreed to contracts with the Rays on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, and avoided arbitration. Credit: AP/Scott Audette
Also agreeing to one-year contracts were right-handers Aaron Civale ($4.9 million), Shawn Armstrong ($2.05 million), Zack Littell ($1.85 million) and Drew Rasmussen ($1,865,000), Poche ($2,375,000), and infielder Isaac Paredes ($3.4 million).
Rasmussen will start the season on the injured list after hybrid internal brace surgery on his right elbow in July. He has had a pair of Tommy John surgeries.
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