The Tampa Bay Rays have reportedly concluded a one-year deal with star catcher Danny Jansen worth $8.5 million. The move continues Jansen’s southern swing from Toronto to Boston, where he ended last season with the Red Sox, to sunny Florida. The short-term deal gives Jansen a well-deserved payday while providing the Rays with a veteran and elite defensive presence behind home plate.
Rays To Sign Highly Sought After Backstop To One-Year Deal
Rays, C Danny Jansen are reportedly in agreement on a one-year contract. pic.twitter.com/AYBf4Zbge7
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 6, 2024
Jansen, 29, was selected out of high school by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 16th round of the 2013 draft. He was a minor league All-Star in 2017 and 2018 and debuted with the Blue Jays that season.
His first full season came in 2019 when he appeared in 107 games, slashing .207/.279/.360 with 13 home runs and 43 RBI. The 2022 campaign proved to be Jansen’s career-best so far. That year, he hit .260/.339/.516 with 15 home runs and 44 RBI in 72 games.
An elite blocking catcher, Jansen, suffered several injuries that sidelined him for parts of the 2022 – 2024 seasons. He missed a month after fracturing the little finger on his catching hand in 2022. A fracture to the middle finger of his throwing hand sent him to the injured list in September of 2023.
He missed the start of last season after fracturing his right wrist while batting in a Spring Training game in March. In 2021, Jansen shared playing time with Blue Jays newcomer Alejandro Kirk, 26, who ultimately took over the position.
Jansen’s career slash of .220/.308/.419 with 74 home runs and 220 RBI undermines his best pro seasons. From 2021 to 2023, he had an OPS of .772, .855, and .786, respectively.
The move to Tampa Bay gives the catcher a chance at a fresh start. The career-high $8.5 million contract is an indication that Tampa Bays front office is betting on his resurgence in 2025.
More to come.
Main Photo Credits: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
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