Tampa Bay Rays, Veteran Reliever Shawn Armstrong Agree to Deal to Avoid Arbitration

Relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong is sticking around with the Tampa Bay Rays on a $2.05 million contract following a career year in 2023.

The Tampa Bay Rays have come to terms on a one-year deal with veteran relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong to avoid arbitration, MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Thursday morning.

Armstrong will make $2.05 million in 2024, per Morosi, after making $1.2 million in 2023. MLB Trade Rumors initially projected Armstrong to make $1.8 million.

This was Armstrong's final year of arbitration eligibility. He is set to hit free agency next November.

Source: Rays and Shawn Armstrong agree on 1-year, $2.05 million contract. @MLB @MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 11, 2024

Armstrong got his start with the then-Cleveland Indians in 2015, remaining with the team until he was traded to the Seattle Mariners in late 2017. From there, Armstrong bounced around to the Baltimore Orioles, Rays, Miami Marlins and then the Rays again.

The right-hander has posted five seasons with a sub-3.00 ERA, but also multiple seasons with an ERA over 5.00.

Armstrong had a career year in 2023, going 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA, 0.904 WHIP and 1.7 WAR in 39 appearances, six of which came as an opener. The 32-year-old has a 2.78 ERA across his 123.0 innings as a Ray.

The deadline for teams to sign arbitration-eligible players was scheduled for Thursday at 1 p.m., but they have until 8 p.m. to exchange proposed salary figures for a potential arbitration hearing.

The Rays also avoided arbitration with starting pitcher Shane McClanahan, outfielder Randy Arozarena, starting pitcher Aaron Civale, third baseman Isaac Paredes, starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen, right-handed pitcher Zack Littell and reliever Colin Poche on Thursday. Designated hitter Harold Ramirez and reliever Jason Adam, on the other hand, will proceed to arbitration hearings.

Check out Fastball's tracker of every contract announced on arbitration deadline day

Follow Fastball on FanNation on social media

Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by LIKING us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.

You can also follow Sam Connon on Twitter @SamConnon.