The Rays added a right-handed power bat to their 2025 lineup on December 6. Veteran catcher Danny Jansen, who spent last season with Boston and Toronto, will remain in the AL East, as he’ll join the Rays on a one-year deal. The 29-year-old was one of the better offensive catchers from 2021-23. But, his numbers took a dip in 2024.
A Look at Jansen
The 2024 campaign was not kind to Danny Jansen. The veteran catcher hit .205/.309/.349 (.658 OPS) with nine home runs and 22 extra-base hits between Toronto and Boston. Jansen was traded to the Red Sox for three players in July 2024, Cutter Coffey, Gilberto Batista, and Eddinson Paulino.
His numbers weren’t great in Boston, a hitter’s haven for right-handed hitters. Jansen hit .188/.323/.300 with only three extra-base hits — all home runs — over 30 games.
While Jansen’s 2024 numbers weren’t impressive, the 29-year-old shouldn’t be judged solely off of those stats.
Offensively, Jansen deploys a shorter swing with not a ton of bat speed. However, he’s naturally strong, has a swing with loft, and his penchant for being able to get on pitches without being late makes him a pull-heavy hitter with natural pop.
Jansen belted 43 home runs between 2021-23, ninth-most in the Majors in that span. And adjusted for HR/PA, Jansen was first (5.7% HR/PA) among catchers (min. 700 PA), ahead of Salvador Perez, second with 5.5%.
He likely would have had more if he didn’t share more playing time with Alejandro Kirk. Jansen and Kirk were the Jays’ co-catchers for much of 2022-24, and because both were highly productive in that 2022 campaign, the Jays parted with Gabriel Moreno to acquire Daulton Varsho.
Additionally, Jansen can also work his way on base. The 29-year-old routinely posts above-average chase and walk rates. Last season, his 12.3% BB% rate well above the league average. Which, makes this signing by the Rays significantly more understandable.
Defensively, Jansen rates as one of the best blockers behind the plate. His 14 Blocks Above Average (per Statcast) last season was best in the Majors, two ahead of Miguel Amaya (Cubs). However, one area Jansen does not perform well is pop time behind the plate. His 1.99s pop time to second ranked 63rd in the Majors last season.
On an aside, Jansen made MLB history last season when he became the first player ever to play for two teams in the same game. Jansen started for Toronto against the Red Sox on June 26, a game suspended until August 26. The catcher was traded to Boston a few weeks later and played for the Red Sox in the resumption of the suspended game.
Per reports, the Rays signed Danny Jansen to a one-year, $8.5MM deal.
Analysis
From a purely statisticaly standpoint, Jansen is a clear upgrade for the Rays behind the plate. Last season, Tampa finished with the third-lowest wOBA (.254) among catchers and second-lowest ISO (.097).
The Rays used five different catchers last season, including Rene Pinto, Alex Jackson, and former second-round pick Logan Driscoll. Most of those games, though, went to Ben Rortvedt, acquired in a three-way deal last March with the Yankees and Marlins.
Rortvedt ran out of options in New York but remained an interesting options thanks to his good defensive skills, strong arm behind the plate, and ability to get on base. However, the 27-year-old hit .228/.317/.303 (.620 OPS) with three home runs in 112 games.
As we noted last month, the Rays lacked power and the ability to drive in runs. Tampa lost additional pop when Jose Siri, a toolsy, yet complicated player, was traded to the Mets. Jansen can at least be part of the Rays’ solution to score more next season.
Make sure to check out more of our free agency coverage, including the Athletics’ recent signing of Luis Severino.