The Rays’ frustration in 2024 comes from wanting to “get greedy.”

BOSTON – There is no doubt that this Rays season was a bitter disappointment as they missed the playoffs and had no winning record.

But here’s a question:

Is it a consolation to have been to the postseason the last five seasons and have a winning record in six straight seasons, or does that make it more painful to go home at the start of this year?

“I think I appreciate us appreciating it in the moment of all this,” manager Kevin Cash said. “That’s what might make this year seem more frustrating. You want to get greedy, right? And maybe we were for a while. So I definitely appreciate the five years of consistency. Now I just want to do it again.”

Only three players have been with the Rays since the postseason began in 2019: infielder Brandon Lowe (who was called up at the start of the winning streak in 2018), reliever Colin Poche and first baseman/DH Yandy Diaz. (Reliever Pete Fairbanks was acquired in July 2019 and made 13 late-season appearances.)

“I agree with what Cash said, that it’s more disappointing just because that’s been the standard since I’ve been here – an absolutely winning season,” Poche said on Friday. “We expect to have plans that extend beyond this weekend every year. And this year is obviously the first that doesn’t hurt us.

“But at the end of the day it’s up to us. We played our way into this position. So it is what it is. But it definitely doesn’t suit anyone.”

Only two other teams, the National League’s Braves and Dodgers, can match the Rays’ track record over the past six seasons (2018-23). And Playoff appearances in each of the last five. (Both won a World Series title during that period, but the Rays did not.)

Lowe said the rarity of her performance helped ease the pain of this season.

“It’s something we can look back on and really appreciate the teams we had and how good we really were,” Lowe said. “And understand that this year is just a bad year, don’t look at it because that’s the norm when you know the last six years have (basically) been 90-plus win seasons.

“So it helps you to kind of dismiss this problem. As hard as the year is and as strange as it has been, it makes it a little easier to understand the pedigree of the players in the room, the history we have and know how good we’re going to be next year that with the additions we’re going to make and so on, next year will be a much better year.”

Diaz also said their accomplishments should be recognized, especially given the level of competition.

“I’m excited because the organization is showing that even with a smaller budget compared to guys in this department and things like that, we’re putting together a roster that can compete with them and anybody out there,” team communications director Elvis Martinez said, interpreting. “We have a lot of good players in this clubhouse and I am personally happy that the organization is looking for good players and putting together a good squad for the competition.

“I think we’re maximizing the potential we have in this space. Our managers and coaches are doing a good job of maximizing that and implementing those ideas to maximize the squad.”

Money matters

Here are the salaries of the players under contract (assuming Lowe’s option is picked up) for 2025:

• INF Brandon Lowe, $10,500,000

• LHP Jeffrey Springs, $10,500,000

• 1B/DH Yandy Diaz, $10,000,000

• SS Wander Franco*, $8,000,000 (currently on MLB’s suspended list and will not be paid pending resolution of legal issues)

• RHP Pete Fairbanks, $3,816,667

• LHP Shane McClanahan, $3,600,000

These players are eligible for arbitration, listed with year of eligibility and 2024 salary: Poche (third year, $2,375,000), OF Dylan Carlson (second, $2,350,000), LHP Tyler Alexander (third, $1,950,000). $), RHP Drew Rasmussen (second, $1,862,500) , RHP Zack Littell (third, $1,850,000), RHP Cole Sulser (third, $850,000), OF Jose Siri (first, $757,800), INF Taylor Walls (First, $757,300), C Ben Rortvedt (First, $755,400), LHP Garrett Cleavinger (First, $746,900), RHP Shane Baz (First, $743,600), LHP Richard Lovelady (First, $740,000),

Also on the 40-man roster (or 60-day IL): INF Jonathan Aranda, INF Osleivis Basabe, RHP Hunter Bigge, RHP Taj Bradley, INF Jose Caballero, INF Junior Caminero, RHP Yoniel Curet, OF Jonny DeLuca, C Logan Driscoll, RHP Kevin Kelly, RHP Joel Kuhnel, LHP Jacob Lopez, OF Josh Lowe, INF Curtis Mead, OF Kameron Misner, LHP Mason Montgomery, INF/OF Christopher Morel, INF/OF Richie Palacios, RHP Ryan Pepiot, C Rene Pinto, RHP Manny Rodriguez, INF Austin Shenton, RHP Edwin Uceta, RHP Jacob Waguespack

Rays rumble

The Rays plan to bring the entire coaching staff back for 2025 and plan to address the offensive issues, starting with a greater spring training emphasis on situations with runners in scoring position. … For Thursday’s flight from Detroit to Boston, the major league first-graders were dressed as green-haired Oompa Loompas from the Chocolate Factory films. … Starter Taj Bradley had some important business before his postgame interview at Fenway Park on Friday: He took his mother, Ana Mosley, to see where he had written her name in the Green Monster and had her sign it. … Third baseman Junior Caminero said he plans to rest this offseason instead of playing winter ball, but could start for Escogido in the round-robin playoffs in January. … Seems strange that the Rays are going home after Sunday, but pitchers Jason Adam (Padres), Aaron Civale (Brewers), Zach Eflin (Orioles) and Phil Maton (Mets), traded in July, will all be in the playoffs. …Shortstop Carson Williams was named the Rays’ minor league player of the year by Baseball America; the team called Tre’ Morgan. … ESPN gave the Rays a C- for the regular season, calling it a “mild disappointment” in the face of an offense that “ended up being among the worst in the majors.” … Texas-based Chris Hom was named the Paul Kirsch scout Year of the Rays honored.

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