REPORT: Former Guardians Shortstop Agrees To Contract With Rays

Former Cleveland shortstop Amed Rosario has reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with Tampa Bay.

Shortly before last season’s trade deadline, the Cleveland Guardians traded Amed Rosario to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

After ending 2023 with the Dodgers, the veteran shortstop has now reportedly signed with another team.

According to ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan, Rosario has agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Infielder Amed Rosario and the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a one-year, $1.5 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Rosario, 28, will bring a strong bat against left-handed pitching and should get at-bats at shortstop, second base and potentially corner-outfield spots.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 20, 2024

MLB Network insider Jon Heyman also reports that the contract has up to $1 million in incentives.

The 28-year-old was Cleveland’s mainstay shortstop for two-plus seasons after being acquired in the Francisco Lindor trade in January of 2021. In all, Rosario played 388 regular-season games with the Guardians, hitting .278 with 437 hits, 70 doubles, 21 triples, 25 home runs, 168 RBI, 40 stolen bases, and a .711 OPS.

Jul 8, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians shortstop Amed Rosario (1) advances to third during the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field / © Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Rosario had a productive first season with Cleveland in 2021, hitting .282 with 155 hits, 25 doubles, six triples, 11 home runs, 57 RBI, 13 stolen bases, and a .730 OPS in 141 games.

He then helped lead the Guardians to the MLB Postseason the following year. Rosario led the American League with a career-best nine triples, and ranked third in the AL with a career-best 180 hits. He ultimately hit .283 with 26 doubles, 11 home runs, 71 RBI, 18 stolen bases, and a .715 OPS in 153 regular-season games.

Rosario eventually hit .241 in seven postseason games, recording seven hits, one home run, two RBI, and a stolen base.

Last year, he played his first 94 games with Cleveland. During this span, Rosario hit .265 with 102 hits, 19 doubles, six triples, three home runs, 40 RBI, and nine stolen bases, while his OPS dipped to .675. 

Defensively, his fielding percentage at shortstop was at a career-worst .964 before he was traded, as he committed 11 errors in just 88 games at the position.