The Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a four-year, $31 million deal with left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Springs, Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin reported on Wednesday afternoon.
The deal will pay Springs $4 million in 2023, $5.25 million in 2024, $10.5 million in 2025 and $10.5 million in 2026. The contract could be worth up to $65.75 million if his 2027 option is picked up and the pitcher hits all of his incentives, per Topkin.
The deal involves either a $15 million option or a $750 thousand buyout in 2027. Springs was drafted in the 30th round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers, and signed with the team on a $1,000 bonus.
After six seasons in the Rangers' organization, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox in 2020, appearing in 16 games during the season, all in relief. He compiled an 0-2 record with a 7.08 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 20⅓ innings pitched. He was designated for assignment by Boston in early 2021.
Shortly after, he was traded along with Chris Mazza to the Rays in exchange for Ronaldo Hernandez and Nick Sogard. He underwent season-ending surgery to repair an ACL tear in his right knee in August and was placed on the 60-day injured list by the team.
He transitioned from a reliever to a fulltime starting pitcher for his first time in the majors during the 2022-23 season; he excelled in the new role, authoring a 9-5 record with a 2.46 ERA in 33 appearances, including 25 starts. He struck out 144 batters in 135⅓ innings.
It was a career season for Jeffrey Springs after a disappointing first few campaigns in the major leagues, and he will be looking to take the next step as part of the Rays' starting rotation in 2023.
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