Infielder Amed Rosario reportedly had a far better offer from the New York Yankees before signing with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Infielder Amed Rosario reportedly had a far better offer from the New York Yankees before he signed with the Tampa Bay Rays.
While Rosario had a $4 million contract on the table in New York, which is the same amount they were offering Enrique Hernandez before he signed with the Dodgers, he inked a $1.5 million deal with the Rays.
The New York Post’s Joel Sherman reports:
I have been informed that Rosario was offered $4 million by the Yankees, but he chose to accept a $1.5 million base from the Rays.
Ulises Caballero, the attorney of Rosario, told The Post that Tampa Bay could offer a more direct path to consistent at-bats, particularly at shortstop, where Jose Caballero is now Tampa Bay’s planned replacement. As he awaits legal processes in the Dominican Republic on allegations of physical and sexual abuse as well as commercial sexual exploitation of a minor, Wander Franco is still not a part of the camp.
That is undoubtedly correct. Rosario probably wouldn’t have had at-bats if the Yankees had Gleyber Torres, DJ LeMahieu, and Anthony Volpe on the infield in 2024, barring an injury.
Since Taylor Walls and/or Caballero are not as established in the lineup and the Franco problem looms large over the whole Tampa club, Rosario should have an easier job dividing time or defeating them. Moreover, given the Rays’ inventiveness, Rosario might see time in platoon settings or the outfield, expanding his opportunity to play a variety of positions.
Over his seven-year career, Rosario has been a player for the New York Mets, Cleveland Guardians, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Prior to the 2021 season, he was part of the trade that sent Francisco Lindor to the Mets, sending him to Cleveland as a former top prospect.
Forever is Rosario.272 hitter who just had a season in which he hit.263 for Los Angeles and Cleveland. His career high of 15 home runs in 2019 indicates that he doesn’t have much power to give.
