The Tampa Bay Rays are riding high, sitting atop the American League with only a few weeks left in the 2026 regular season, eyeing a deep playoff run. But get this: even with all that success, their All-Star ace, Shane McClanahan, could be on the chopping block come offseason. Yeah, you read that right. The team leading the AL might dump one of their best pitchers. Wild.
Why the Hell Would They Do That?!
It sounds absolutely bonkers, right? Trading an All-Star ace when you’re a top team? But MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand spilled the tea, pointing to McClanahan’s injury history, his potentially cheaper 2027 contract, and the big one: his free agency looming after the 2027 season. This is classic Rays, honestly. Feinsand points out that McClanahan has actually pitched well this season after missing a full two years recovering from Tommy John surgery. But he’s heading into his final year of arbitration, and that’s usually when Tampa Bay decides it’s time to move players.
Think about it: the Rays could keep McClanahan for another year and risk losing him for absolutely nothing in free agency. Or, they could pull the trigger now, trade him this offseason, and bring back some sweet, valuable long-term assets. It’s a brutal business decision, but it’s one the Rays have made before. His injury history might make a trade a bit tougher to nail down, but it’s also probably what’s kept his 2027 salary from skyrocketing, making him a more reasonable acquisition for another club.
That Career ERA Is Straight Up Dope, So What’s The Catch?
This dude was once a top pitcher in baseball before those injuries hit, and his numbers still scream “ace.” McClanahan boasts a ridiculous 3.10 ERA for his big league career, and even after missing so much time, he’s put up a solid 3.36 ERA across 24 starts this 2026 season. That’s a former Cy Young candidate showing serious upside, even with the injury risks.
Sure, there’s some risk for any team acquiring him, especially if the Rays demand a massive package back. But for top contenders like the Chicago Cubs or Atlanta Braves, who are always looking for pitching upgrades, that upside might be too tempting to pass on. The only thing that could actually stop the Rays from trading McClanahan? If they decide to move Drew Rasmussen instead. Rasmussen’s $20 million contract next season could be the deciding factor that leads the Rays to go with a different pitcher to ship out.
So, Rays fans, you better keep those eyes glued to the news this offseason. The trade rumors swirling around this left-handed ace could totally become reality. It’s gonna be wild to see how this plays out!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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