Rays Close To Signing Phil Maton
The Tampa Bay Rays are finalizing a contract with right-hander Phil Maton, who has been linked to several teams in the offseason.
Maton's Impressive Performance
The Rays and Phil Maton are in the final stages of negotiating a contract, according to MLB.com. Maton, a 31-year-old right-hander, has garnered interest from the Cardinals, Phillies, and Yankees, but it appears he will be joining the Rays for the upcoming season.
Maton has accumulated seven years of experience in the MLB, starting with the San Diego Padres in 2017 before making stops in Cleveland and Houston. Although he posted a 4.76 ERA over 215 1/3 innings between 2017 and 2021, his spin rates and soft-contact numbers suggested that his potential was higher.
However, Maton's performance took a noticeable step forward in his last two seasons with the Houston Astros. In 2022, he recorded a 3.84 ERA in 65 2/3 innings, and even better, a 3.00 ERA over 66 frames in 2023. Statcast data shows that Maton had an exceptional hard-hit ball rate in 2023, placing him among the top pitchers in the league. Additionally, his curveball and fastball had spin rates that ranked in at least the 98th percentile.
Maton's Strengths and Challenges
Despite his improvements, Maton has struggled with issuing walks, and his barrel rates indicate that batters can hit for power when they connect with his pitches. Nonetheless, his ability to generate soft contact and record above-average strikeout rates has made him one of the more effective relievers in recent seasons.
Maton has also performed well in the postseason, boasting an impressive 0.83 ERA over 21 2/3 career playoff innings. Given the Rays' track record of helping pitchers succeed, there is a strong possibility that Maton will continue to thrive or even improve upon his recent performance.
With key relievers departing the Rays in free agency, Maton is expected to fill a crucial role in their bullpen. While Pete Fairbanks is likely to remain the primary closer, Maton will likely handle set-up duties since he only has one career save.
Rays' Payroll and Offseason Moves
Adding Maton to their roster would contribute to what is already projected to be the highest payroll in Rays franchise history. According to Roster Resource, the Rays have a projected $93.3 million payroll, signaling their willingness to spend more to enhance their chances of a deep playoff run. This commitment aligns with President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander's statement in October about the team's intention to invest to maintain their core players.
Despite their willingness to spend, the Rays did make significant moves in the offseason, including trading Tyler Glasnow to the Dodgers. With the departure of key bullpen contributors and the addition of Maton, the Rays aim to fill the vacancies and maintain their competitive edge.
