"Can't deal with this a**hole"; "That's lot of money for a backup" - Fans miffed as Tampa Bay Rays sign former Red Sox catcher in $8.5M deal
The Tampa Bay Rays have reportedly signed Danny Jansen to a one-year deal worth $8.5 million. This will mark his third AL East team in the last two months after having previously played for the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox.
Danny Jansen had a disappointing 2024 where he could only hit at a .206 average. He dealt with a major fracture in his wrist during Spring Training that kept him from playing freely the entire season. Although he started at a consistent .295 clip in his first 120 plate appearances, he hit a major slump afterward.
Jansen was subsequently traded midseason by the Blue Jays to the Red Sox, making him the first player in MLB history to play for both teams in a single game because of a rain-affected contest between both clubs in August 2024.
The Rays seem to continue to follow their method of trading their veterans in return for signing new faces. Currently their payroll is at $86 million with Jansen on the roster. As per reports they have received offers for players like Jeffrey Springs, Yandy Diaz among others.
However, Jansen's name in the Rays lineup seemingly hasn't excited fans. Many took to X/Twitter to voice their opinions:
"I can’t deal with this a••hole in 2025," one fan wrote.
"That’s a lot of money for a backup," another fan said.
"He’s just collecting infinity stones at this point he will be traded to the Yankees by the deadline to complete it," one fan added.
"Yo he any good guys?," a fan asked.
"Day ruined," another fan wrote.
Will Danny Jansen's inclusion help the Rays?
The Rays suffered in 2024 after managing just 80 wins. Their batting lineup has to be better if they are to emulate their successes of the 2023 season. Jansen is being pushed as an upgrade from the Ben Rortvedt and Alex Jackson duo who played last season as the third-least catcher duo in the league. They averaged a paltry .194, which was only higher than the Marlins and White Sox in that position.
However, the former Blue Jays mainstay has had trouble as a backstop because of his fracture. As a catcher, he has had a lowly base stealing rate of 13% in the last two seasons. The Rays will hope they can get the most out of him offensively and behind the plate.