The 2026 MLB Draft is in the books, but the drama for the Tampa Bay Rays is far from over. Their number two overall pick, shortstop Grady Emerson, is still unsigned, leaving a massive $10,050,700 from his projected bonus just hanging there.
Big Names Still On The Board
Talk about a nail-biter. While some top talent is locked in, the biggest fish, Grady Emerson, the number two overall pick and a high school shortstop, remains unsigned with his projected $10,050,700 deal. And he is not alone either. Third-round pitcher Gavin Giese, another high school star, still has not put pen to paper on his $958,500 projected bonus. Fourth-rounder Collin Bland, an outfielder, and a handful of other mid-to-late rounders like AJ Rice, Griffin Long, and Tai Jones are also in limbo.
This isn’t small change. The Rays have a bonus pool of $19,009,300 for their first 10 rounds, and every penny counts. Failing to sign a guy like Emerson could totally reshape this draft class for them, not to mention the optics of missing out on the second pick overall. It’s a high-stakes poker game, where every dollar over the $150,000 threshold for later picks counts towards that precious pool. Overspend by even 0-5%, and you are staring down a 75% tax. Go over by 15% or more, and they are losing two future first-round picks plus a 100% tax. That’s a brutal price tag.
Smart Plays and Under-Slot Steals
Despite the unsigned picks, the Rays have shown some serious savvy in other areas. They snagged shortstop Taj Marchand, another high school phenom, for $2,547,500, a sweet $422,700 under his projected amount. Then there’s Ben Blair, a pitcher, who signed for $1,647,500, saving another $385,900. Even late-round guys like Owen Kramkowsk, Kyle Johnson, and Tate McKee came in slightly under slot, adding valuable flexibility to that bonus pool.
They’ve been efficient, getting a bunch of later round guys like Cole Stokes, Steven Gonzalez, Mason Bixby, Amp Phillips, and McCarty English to sign for the standard $150,000. But the real budget maestros were Nate Smithburg and David Horn Jr. Smithburg, an 18th-round pitcher, signed for a wild $75,000, saving them $75,000 off his $150,000 projection. And David Horn Jr, a 19th-round pitcher, inked for a mere $20,000, saving a whopping $130,000! These under-slot deals are critical, allowing them to potentially allocate more funds elsewhere or simply maintain breathing room.
Right now, the Rays have used $5,255,100 of their pool, leaving $13,754,200 remaining. Their projected pool usage, if everyone signs at their projected amount including those under-slot deals, is $18,553,000, which leaves $456,300 below their total $19,009,300. That margin is tight, especially with those top picks still needing to be signed.
The draft might be done, but the real work for the Rays’ front office is just beginning. Getting Grady Emerson to sign, along with Giese and Bland, is absolutely paramount. They have shown they can save money elsewhere, but can they close the deal on their biggest investments without blowing past that bonus pool? It’s all about navigating those final numbers and making sure their future stars are actually wearing the uniform. Every single dollar, and every unsigned contract, matters big time right now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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