According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Tampa Bay Rays have signed Amed Rosario to a one-year, $1.5 million deal. It’s a fitting signing for the Rays as Rosario is one of the better shortstops available in this winter’s mercurial free agent class. After a couple of good years in Cleveland, the former top prospect is available after a downseason split between the Guardians and Los Angeles Dodgers. However, he recently turned 28 and still has great athleticism that teams can dream of.
Infielder Amed Rosario and the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a one-year, $1.5 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Rosario, 28, will bring a strong bat against left-handed pitching and should get at-bats at shortstop, second base and potentially corner-outfield spots.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 20, 2024
Amed Rosario Signs One-Year Deal
For his career, Rosario is a .272/.308/.400 hitter with elite speed. When at his best, Rosario puts the ball in play and hits for decent average. His xBA ranked in the 72nd percentile or better in each of the past three seasons, including reaching the 90th percentile in 2022. Additionally, he produces better than average strikeout rates and decent Whiff rates. However, he does not hit the ball hard, walk at a good rate, or steals bases someone as fast as him should.
Despite his abilities, nothing went well for him last year. In 49 games with Cleveland, Rosario hit .265/.306/.369 with 19 doubles, .294 wOBA, and a 97 wRC+ before being flipped to Los Angeles midseason. While many thought the Dodgers could unlock his abilities, it was largely the same. With his new team, Rosario hit .256/.301/.408 with six doubles, .306 wOBA and 93 wRC+ in 48 games. He was left off of the postseason roster in favor of Kolten Wong.
Reaching His High Ceiling
The high strikeout totals teamed with the lack of power growth have prevented Rsoario from reaching his high ceiling. He’s flashed some upside and had a nice 4.2 WAR season in 2022 in Cleveland. But he quickly fell out of favor. Rosario spent most of his time last year (and his career) at shortstop, where he earned -16 Defensive Runs Saved and -14 Outs Above Average. For his career, he has -39 DRS and -57 OAA at shortstop. Due to his speed and arm strength, the Mets and Guardians tried him in the outfield, but neither experiments lasted long or went well.
For all his struggles, Rosario might have found a home at second base. Defensive metrics did not hate his 190 innings there with the Dodgers. His play resulted in 3 DRS and 0 OAA. While this small sample size fails to prove anything, it might represent some hope regarding his defensive future.
Perhaps the Rays will look at Rosario as a part-time player (he produced a 112 wRC+ against lefties last season) with some defensive versatility. If Rosario can finally put it together, Tampa Bay might have signed the best value contract of the offseason.
Photo Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
