Jose Siri was traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to the New York Mets in exchange for pitcher Eric Orze. This move is part of the ongoing roster adjustments as teams look to strengthen their lineups ahead of the new season.

Snell won his first Cy Young Award in 2018 while playing for the Tampa Bay Rays. Over his nine-season career, he has compiled a record of 76-58 with a 3.19 ERA, showcasing his effectiveness as a starting pitcher during his time with the Rays from 2016 to 2020.

After years of negotiations for a new stadium, the Tampa Bay Rays are back to square one following Hurricane Milton's damage to Tropicana Field. A previously agreed $1.3 billion plan for a new venue in St. Petersburg has lost political support, and the team now faces a deadline to begin the 2025 season at the 11,000-seat George Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees' spring training site. The broader issue for MLB remains how to maintain fan engagement in markets outside of major cities like Los Angeles and New York, especially given the lack of a salary cap that promotes competitive balance.

Rodney joined the Tampa Bay Rays after two seasons with the Los Angeles Angels and quickly established himself as one of the top closers in baseball. In 2012, he had a standout season, posting a remarkable 0.60 ERA, a 0.777 WHIP, and recording 48 saves, which earned him a fifth-place finish in AL Cy Young voting and 13th in AL MVP voting. It was during this time that he debuted his signature bow and arrow celebration. He left the Rays in 2014, further solidifying his reputation as a premier reliever in the league.

The Tampa Bay Rays drafted Blake Snell in 2011, and he quickly established himself as a dominant pitcher after debuting in 2016. Snell won his first Cy Young Award in 2018, leading to a lucrative contract extension. However, after being traded to the San Diego Padres in 2020, he faced challenges in the following seasons, including injuries and inconsistency. Despite a rough start to the 2024 season with the Giants, Snell rebounded impressively, showcasing his potential as a top-tier starting pitcher before opting out of his contract to enter free agency.