Rays close to signing AL East stalwart catcher Danny Jansen

With a fairly obvious need for quality back stops above and beyond the system depth, the Rays are reportedly close to finalizing a deal with long time Toronto and recent Boston catcher Danny Jansen on a one-year, $8.5 million deal.

The Rays emerging as the highest bidder for the oft-injured back stop in a year with a dearth of catching options is a win during an off-season that seems unlikely to have many.

Jansen’s salary will make him the fourth highest paid player on the team, after Brandon Lowe, Yandy Diaz, and Jeffrey Springs — all of whom are making ~$10 million and all of whom are sure to be trade candidates next week at the Winter Meetings.

Entering his age-30 season, Jansen is a career 100 wRC+ hitter (exactly league average), thanks to some high highs (141 wRC+ in 2022) and low lows (69 wRC+ in 2019).

This article is being updated.