The Tampa Bay Rays are offering multi-year contract extensions to manager Kevin Cash and president of baseball operations Erik Neander, citing a story in the Tampa Bay Times. The Rays just finished a 99-win campaign.
The Tampa Bay Rays are offering multi-year contract extensions to manager Kevin Cash and president of baseball operations Erik Neander, citing a story in the Tampa Bay Times.
There are no details officially out yet, but they are expected later this afternoon. They will reportedly take the pair through the 2028 season though. The Rays are coming off a 99-win season that saw them finish second in the American League East.
Neander became the Rays’ primary decision maker during the offseason of 2017 and has had the Rays consistently in the mix for the playoffs, despite operating on one of the smallest budgets in baseball. His creative trade strategy, ability to find hidden gems on waivers and the team’s ability to develop has made the Rays one of the most admirable organizations in the sport. They’ve been to the playoffs five times since he took over and got to the World Series in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Regarding Cash, he recently concluded a year in which he was selected as an AL Manager of the Year finalist. He’s been a finalist for the award five times in the last six years, which is really impressive given the Rays’ difficult 2023 season. During pivotal periods of the season, they were without Wander Franco, Shane McClanahan, Jeffrey Springs, and Drew Rasmussen.
