Veteran catcher Danny Jansen and the Tampa Bay Rays have reached an agreement on a one-year contract valued at $8 million, according to a source. This deal, which includes a mutual option for 2026 with a $500,000 buyout, was initially reported by Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, and Robert Murray from FanSided. The official confirmation from the team is still pending.
In the 2024 MLB season, Danny Jansen, known for his defensive prowess, participated in 91 games for both the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox. Jansen was traded from Toronto to Boston in late July. Despite a challenging season offensively, with a batting average of .205, nine home runs, and 24 RBIs over 324 plate appearances, Jansen stood out defensively. He was recognized as the best blocking catcher in the Major Leagues, leading with +15 Blocks Above Average, as per Statcast statistics.
Jansen’s offensive capabilities were notable in the previous three seasons with the Blue Jays, where he showed above-average performance. He recorded 11 home runs with a 105 OPS+ in 2021, followed by a peak performance in 2022 with 15 home runs and a 142 OPS+, and subsequently, 17 home runs with a 114 OPS+ in 2023. These performances averaged to 14 home runs yearly and a 120 OPS+, indicating he was 20% better than the league’s average hitter during that period. Jansen aims to return to this level of performance in the upcoming 2025 season.
Entering his age-30 season, Jansen was among the youngest catchers in the free-agent market this winter. Together with Carson Kelly, he was one of the few catchers under 30 available. Originally drafted in the 16th round by Toronto in 2013, Jansen has established a .220 career batting average, accumulating 74 home runs and 220 RBIs over 501 games.
Jansen also made an unusual mark in baseball history in 2024 when he became the first player to play for both teams in the same game. During a match between the Red Sox and Blue Jays, initially played on June 26 and later resumed on August 26 after a rain suspension, Jansen started with Toronto and completed the game with Boston after his trade.
Danny Jansen’s agreement with the Tampa Bay Rays marks a significant move, providing the team with a seasoned catcher known for his defensive skills. As he enters the 2025 season, Jansen seeks to revive his past offensive performance levels while continuing to excel defensively. His unique experience and proven abilities make him a valuable addition to the Rays’ lineup.
Source: Mlb
