Tampa Bay Rays Sign Catcher Danny Jansen to One-Year Deal

Jansen joins the Rays after a historic 2024 season and seeks to rebound offensively in 2025.

Danny Jansen has signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays worth $8.5 million, including a mutual option for 2026 with a $500,000 buyout.
The 29-year-old catcher played for both the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox in 2024, making MLB history by appearing for both teams in the same game due to a suspended contest and midseason trade.
Jansen struggled offensively last season, hitting .205 with nine home runs and 24 RBIs across 92 games, but was recognized as the league's best defensive catcher with +15 Blocks Above Average.
Once an above-average offensive player, Jansen averaged 14 home runs per season with a 120 OPS+ from 2021 to 2023, and he aims to return to that form in 2025.
Jansen turned down multi-year offers to bet on himself and will likely share catching duties with Ben Rortvedt, who is known for his defensive skills, on the Rays.