The Rays cut outfielder Jake Fraley, per the MLB.com transaction log. Tampa Bay Times reporter Marc Topkin revealed Fraley turned down a minor‑league assignment, forcing the club to release him after a recent DFA.
With free agency looming and the season winding down, few expected anyone to claim him, so his clearance was no surprise. After more than five years of service, he can refuse outright assignments while preserving his salary.
He could have accepted the move, staying available for a postseason call‑up if injuries struck. Regardless, his six years of service guarantee free agency after season’s end. Opting for the open market gives him a head start on 2027 options, letting him field offers from all 30 clubs while most peers remain locked out.
For my money, his split‑season numbers still show value despite the dip. From 2021‑2025 he appeared in 449 games with Seattle, Cincinnati and Atlanta, logging 1,491 plate appearances and posting a .252/.339/.411 slash line. That equated to a wRC+ of 107, a solid 7% edge over league average. As a left‑hander he excelled versus right‑handed pitching, posting .265/.349/.439 and a 116 wRC+, while his numbers fell to .184/.281/.250 and 54 wRC+ against southpaws.
He also swiped 59 bases in 75 attempts and covered all three outfield positions. Defensive Runs Saved rated him slightly below average, yet Outs Above Average placed him a touch above the norm overall.
Atlanta placed Fraley on waivers in November, after which the Rays claimed, non‑tendered and re‑signed him to a $3 MM deal. The plan was to harness his right‑handed power, solid defense and speed as a low‑cost asset. Injuries derailed that vision; a hernia operation sidelined him for months and he posted a .216/.289/.364 line with an 83 wRC+ in 97 plate appearances.
While Fraley recovered, the Rays saw breakout performances from Chandler Simpson and Víctor Mesa Jr., pushing him down the depth chart. He returned from the injured list on September 15, only to be DFA’d five days later. The injury‑marred 2026 will weigh on his free‑agency value, but could a healthy 2027 revive his stock?