Rays Eyed Reunion with Catcher Travis d’Arnaud

Before Travis d’Arnaud signed with the Angels, the Tampa Bay Rays were reportedly interested in bringing the veteran catcher back to their roster, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

d’Arnaud, who will turn 36 in February, spent the last five seasons with the Atlanta Braves but previously played for the Rays in 2019. During his time in Tampa, he played 92 games, splitting duties between catching and first base. His performance, which included a .263/.323/.459 slash line and 16 home runs, helped the Rays reach the postseason for the first time since 2013.

Although d’Arnaud ultimately joined the Braves in 2020 and became a consistent figure in their lineup, the Braves decided to move on from him this winter, with plans to rely on Sean Murphy and prospect Drake Baldwin. d’Arnaud then opted for a two-year, $12 million deal with the Angels, returning to his native southern California.

The Rays’ interest in d’Arnaud was driven by their need for a primary catcher. Ben Rortvedt is currently the top catcher on their roster after posting an 87 wRC+ in 2024, but with the departures of Alex Jackson and Rene Pinto, the Rays are looking for an upgrade. d’Arnaud would have been an ideal fit, but his preference to return to California steered him towards the Angels.

​With d’Arnaud off the market, the Rays may look to other free-agent catchers to fill the gap. Danny Jansen and Kyle Higashioka are potential targets. Jansen, 29, had strong seasons with Toronto from 2021-23, while Higashioka, 34, showcased power with 17 home runs for San Diego in 2024. However, both players could command contracts that exceed the Rays’ budget.

Should the Rays seek more affordable options, they could consider Carson Kelly, Elias Diaz, James McCann, and Gary Sanchez. Each of these catchers offers various strengths and could provide the Rays with a viable solution behind the plate.

As the offseason progresses, the Rays’ search for a reliable catcher continues, aiming to strengthen their lineup for the upcoming season.