The Tampa Bay Rays' 2013 season was the Rays' 16th season of Major League Baseball and the sixth as the "Rays" (all at Tropicana Field). The Rays hoped to improve upon their 90–72 record and third-place finish from 2012. After 162 games, the Rays had a 91–71 record, but fell into a tie with the Texas Rangers for the last remaining wild card berth. The Rays won in a tie-breaker game on September 30 and then beat the Cleveland Indians in the ALWC Game on October 2. They advanced to play the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS, but lost the series in four games.
The Rays decided to pick up the options of starting pitcher James Shields, closer Fernando Rodney, and catcher José Molina, while declining the option of designated hitter Luke Scott on October 31, 2012.[1]
Third baseman Evan Longoria was given a six-year, $100 million contract extension on November 26, 2012. This put Longoria under contract with Tampa Bay through the 2022 season, with a team option for 2023.[2][3]
Pitchers James Shields and Wade Davis, along with a player to be named later (who turned out to be Elliot Johnson on February 12[4]), were traded on the night of December 9, 2012 to the Kansas City Royals. In return, the Rays acquired four Kansas City prospects: outfielder Wil Myers, pitchers Jake Odorizzi and Mike Montgomery, and third baseman Patrick Leonard.[5]
Reliever Kyle Farnsworth was re-signed to a one-year $3 million contract with incentives on January 24.[6]
Infielder Reid Brignac was traded to the Colorado Rockies on February 14. The Rockies sent cash considerations and a player to be named later.[7]
Some of the Rays' losses to free agency included center fielder B. J. Upton, who signed a five-year, $75.25 million deal with the Atlanta Braves.[8] The Rays had previously offered Upton a one-year $13.3 million qualifying offer in order to receive draft pick compensation should Upton not re-sign.[9] The Rays also lost infielder Jeff Keppinger when he signed a three-year, $12 million agreement with the Chicago White Sox on December 5, 2012.[10] Reliever J. P. Howell signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for one year and $2.85 million, plus $1.2 million in performance bonuses, on January 6.[11]
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Durham[12]
