In a move that adds depth to their pitching staff, the Tampa Bay Rays have re-signed right-hander Jacob Waguespack to a one-year, $1.3 million contract for the 2025 season. The deal, which was agreed upon on Monday, also includes a club option for 2026 that could escalate to $2 million based on performance incentives.
Waguespack, 31, is no stranger to the Rays organization, having made the team’s Opening Day roster in 2024 before missing a significant portion of the season due to a shoulder injury. During his limited time on the mound, he posted a 5.40 ERA over 10 innings of work.
A Well-Traveled Pitcher
The right-hander’s journey to the majors began with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2019, where he impressed with a 5-5 record and a respectable 4.38 ERA in his rookie season. However, Waguespack’s career took an interesting turn when he decided to take his talents to Japan for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
After his stint in the Nippon Professional Baseball league, Waguespack returned to the United States, signing with the Rays for the 2024 campaign. Despite the setback of a shoulder injury, the Rays clearly saw enough potential in the right-hander to bring him back for another year.
The Rays’ Pitching Philosophy
The Rays have long been known for their ability to maximize the potential of their pitching staff, often relying on a mix of young, homegrown talent and savvy veteran acquisitions. By re-signing Waguespack, the Rays are hoping to tap into the potential he showed during his rookie season with the Blue Jays.
Jacob has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career, and we believe he can be a valuable contributor to our pitching staff in 2025.
– A source close to the Rays organization
With the club option for 2026, the Rays have given themselves some flexibility in case Waguespack exceeds expectations. The performance incentives built into the deal also serve as a motivator for the right-hander to prove his worth and secure a longer-term future with the team.
A Low-Risk, High-Reward Move
In typical Rays fashion, the signing of Waguespack represents a low-risk, high-reward move for the organization. If he can recapture the form that made him a promising rookie with the Blue Jays, the Rays will have added a valuable piece to their pitching staff at a relatively low cost.
On the other hand, if Waguespack struggles or fails to stay healthy, the Rays can simply move on without having invested too heavily in the right-hander. This flexibility has been a hallmark of the Rays’ success in recent years, allowing them to remain competitive despite operating with one of the lowest payrolls in the league.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As the Rays gear up for the 2025 season, the addition of Waguespack provides them with another option in their pitching arsenal. Whether he ultimately serves as a starter, a long reliever, or a spot starter remains to be seen, but the Rays have demonstrated time and time again their ability to maximize the value of their pitching staff.
For Waguespack, the 2025 season represents an opportunity to prove that he belongs in the major leagues and that his early success with the Blue Jays was no fluke. If he can stay healthy and harness his potential, he could become a key contributor to a Rays team that always seems to be in the mix for a playoff spot.
As the offseason progresses and spring training draws closer, all eyes will be on the Rays to see how they continue to shape their roster for the upcoming campaign. With the signing of Jacob Waguespack, they have taken a small but potentially significant step toward solidifying their pitching staff and positioning themselves for another successful season in the highly competitive American League East.
