The Tampa Bay Rays were one of the big winners of MLB's new 12-team playoff format, finishing third in the American League East but making the playoffs as the sixth seed. They couldn't capitalize on that opportunity however, falling to the AL Central champion Cleveland Guardians in a two-game wild-card series sweep.
So what's next for the Rays? Here's a look at their notable free agents, trade candidates -- and three key questions for the franchise moving forward to 2023 and beyond.
Tampa Bay Rays
Notable free agents: SP Corey Kluber, OF Kevin Kiermaier (option), OF David Peralta, C Mike Zunino (option)
Zunino has been kind of a human boomerang for the Rays. He is released and eventually circles his way back to St. Petersburg. Maybe it'll happen again, or maybe the Rays will simply exercise their club option on him. Kiermaier, a career Ray, has a $13 million club option with a $2.5 million buyout, per Cots Contracts. Chances are he'll hit free agency, and it'll be interesting to see what happens as he is coming off an injury-plagued season. But it would definitely be strange to see him in another uniform.
